What the Lawyer Said

We got an email from the lawyer in Guatemala yesterday (Monday). She did go to the courts on Friday to review Rosa and Carlos' papers. She found that there were no birth certificates for either child. However, Steve (the missionary) provided her with a copy of Rosa's birth certificate. She is going today to the municipality where Carlos was said to have been born to see what she can find. (This is all kind of puzzling, because these kids have been in the court system for six years.) So, that's the latest. Keep praying!

Our First Family Picture?

This picture is from a mission trip we took to La Senda back in 2005. In this picture Rosa is 9 and Carlos (not his normal photogenic self here) is 4. It was on this trip that we fell in love with these two and originally looked into adopting them. When it didn't work out, we figured it was not to be. But God had other plans!

We are anticipating an email tomorrow (Monday) from the attorney in Guatemala. We are hoping it will shed more light on what our process is going to look like (and how much it will cost?). Please be in prayer for two specific concerns: the timely completion of the logistical work and provision for the extensive financial cost of the adoption.

Beautiful Rosa

The following pictures were taken when Amy was down in Guatemala with a team of Asbury girls in March 2006:

Pictures of Our Little Man

Here are some pictures of Carlos from this past July when we were down at the children's home in Guatemala.

He's a kisser...

...and a clown.

This was after he wanted a haircut "like Matt's."

A Big Change of Plans

The Lord moves in mysterious ways. Anyone who has followed our adoption journey knows that we have been waiting, waiting, waiting, in our original plan of adopting a child from Uganda. Then a new door opened.

Two years ago we looked into adopting two Guatemalan siblings from the children's home where we have visited on four different occasions. At the time, it just didn't seem to be a possibility, but we said if that ever changed, we would still be open to it. There is a long story involved that we may get into later, but the short story is two weeks ago our missionary friend contacted us again and let us know that they were ready to move forward if we were still interested. So...

Rosa (11) and Carlos (6) will be coming from Guatemala to live with us. There is still a LOT to work out with paperwork, finances, and other logistics. We don't have a timeline yet, but we will keep you updated. Until then, enjoy these pictures of our kids....

Need a Christmas Gift Idea?

How about a CD? It can be wrapped and put under the tree, or it's a perfect size for a stocking stuffer! It is an album of hymns that Matt recorded this year in Northern Ireland. The songlist is as follows: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story; I Want to Be Like Jesus/O to Be Like Thee; I'd Rather Have Jesus; Satisfied; Give Me a Holy Life; Just As I Am; Day by Day (duet w/ Amy); The Master Has Come; Fill Me Now; It Is Well; Nearer, Still Nearer; Wesley Medley (This Is Thy Will I Know/And Can I Yet Delay/Jesus Lover of My Soul). They are $10 each (plus shipping if needed). If you would like one, please contact me at kinnell01 "at" yahoo "dot" com. (You can listen to the YouTube promo below:)

Mmmm...Good Pancakes

Yesterday was the pancake breakfast fundraiser kickoff for Amy's new adoption support organization, Hope for the Children. It was a smashing success, and they were able to raise some funds to get their ministry off the ground.

We were very excited to have a couple of men from the Lexington Herald-Leader come, and there is a great article in that paper this morning. (The picture posted here of Amy's friend Dawn and her family is from the article.) You can read it here: http://www.kentucky.com/211/story/234135.html. Amy is quoted, and it is well worth the read.

Pray with us that the Lord would continue to bless this new ministry that they may in turn bless adoptive families and promote adoption. We are particularly praying for opportunities to share in churches and church groups to encourage families to consider adoption.

Dawn, Katie, and Amy