A call to action-

This week has been a bad week in the news for Guatemalan adoptions- First the DOS (Department of State) issued a stern warning to parents that adoptions from Guatemala would see delays starting in January 2008, then the Guatemalan President, His honor Mr. Berger stated that he will personally stop adoptions as of January 1st, 2008. As more and more details come out- the future for many children and families is unclear. Prior to this week, we all understood that a slow down might occur and that cases in process by January 2008 would be grandfathered in. This appears to be in question.

According to the JCICS, there are 5000 children who have currently been referred to families who will be effected by the changes- YES, 5000 children and families!!!

Little Bug and I could have been one of those families, we still have friends who started this journey with us who are waiting to be united as a family- I can not stand by and do nothing just because Little Bug is already home. I am urging you- if you have not already done so, to read the the information below and sign the petition. Even if you just come here to read about Little Bug and are not involved in adoptions- please still take the time to read and sign the petition. The DOS needs to see that there are many people from all walks of life, all countries, who see that these children need a home and family.


This is an excerpt from a message that FTIA (my agency) sent out today:

Recent statements and prospective changes do not seem to align with our mission of putting children first. Over 5,000 children in Guatemala have already been referred to adoptive families. We know that it is very hard to sit back and feel like spectators in this process. The question that has been asked more than any other this week is “What can I do?”

The JCICS response to the recent Department of State Warning and to President Berger’s announcement and they have issued a “Call to Action Plan”. We encourage all of our families to be actively involved in the Guatemala 5000 Initiative. Details may be found at http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm We also encourage you to get your friends and families involved. Trust us, all those people who wrote reference letters for you months ago will be passionate about this as well.

Please understand that this is a difficult and emotional time, not only for all of our families, no matter what stage of the process, but also for our Guatemala and FTIA team. We appreciate, as always, your patience in the upcoming weeks and months as we work hard to do all we can do for our babies.


Please pray for the families waiting- this is a hard time for them, please pray for the children waiting and most of all, pray for the men and women in power that they might see the faces of the waiting children, the cries of the motherless and the fatherless and they would be moved to act with honor for the children.

Love to you all,
Momma Bug

Edited: 9:30 pm- I have added a link at the top of right hand column to the JCICS page- please, please go sign the petition.