More from the Barrio

I've had a few emails from Adoptive Colombia families with more questions regarding our visit to the barrio the other day...thought I would blog more instead of responding to all the emails.

We learned about Esperanza from the Knibbe family, who, also were able to visit with our Adoption Representative, Isabel Romero. So, we of course, asked if we could go visit. For many in the Adoption profession in Bogota, their jobs are so much bigger than their paycheck. They have a genuine concern for the children of Colombia and those living in poverty. There are several representatives that are encouraging their families to help Esperanza, that is how she has become known and helped among international families. In fact, we were prvileged to visit this barrio with the Danish Representative, Helena, and a wonderful family from Denmark. I have an even great respect and love for our Representatives, Isabel and Carmen...when you are doing "business" with them, of course, they have to act professional, but, we have seen a side to these beautiful caring women that we have not seen in previous adoptions...

How did our kids handle being there?! Isabel, again, taking it all in, very much understanding the reality of life here in Bogota. It was a great thing for her to experience...as she has the raw real pictures/smells in her mind...she will always have her birth family in her heart...I do not think that she will go through life "romantisizing or fantasizing" her birth story. She saw it, smelled it...and has a very deep understanding and gratitude as to why her birth mother made an adoption plan for her...from this experience, I think she has more love for her birthfamily, more love for us...and in her prayers every night, she is showing her gratitude to our loving Father for caring for her so very much...

For, our two 4 year olds, it was a very scary thing to experience. Silas, not showing fear, just expressing how badly he wanted to leave every 2 minutes...for Caroline, it was probably an all to familiar feeling, and she was very afraid being there...had I known the effects, I probably would have left her at the hotel with Valeria and Camilla...we had no idea what we were getting into when we left...so, of course, we went as a family. I am glad Silas was able to see it and smell it and walk it, even though he didn't like being there...I believe giving our kids reality, even at age 4 is a very good thing. Silas will remember this...and hopefully, Caroline on the other hand will soon forget this...

So, if you return to Bogota, and want to visit...it's worth asking...just no guarentee that you will be able to visit. I would encourage each of you in some small or big way to think of how you could gather donations (preschool supplies) or money to give to Esperazna...all of it will be used wisely and for God's glory. I would highly recommend bringing your kids of all ages, just not the ones you are adopting if they are a little older, and have a difficult life story (which, is probably all of them)...

So, hopefully I answered some of your questions...

I want to encourage each of you returning to adopt, to at least visit, take a taxi, and walk through a poor barrio...where we stay gives us all a "false" picture of what life could have been like for our kiddos...there is nothing more powerful than stepping foot into and touching the reality of it all.

Hope this helped! Email if you have more questions!