Why Guatemala

It has been a while since I asked myself this question.......... but there always seems to be someone that we run into that asks us this question....... "why Guatemala"........ what made us decide to adopt from this small central American country? Have you ever had friends or strangers stop and ask you "why" you chose Guatemala of all the countries in the world to adopt from? I mean if you really stop to think of it, of all the countries in the world..........." Why Guatemala"?

To answer that question would take a simple answer from me.... ' because that is where God led us' to!! That sounds so simple - and yet it really isn't! It's really a miracle to consider how God has woven the series of events that led us to our 5 beautiful children from Guatemala! Each of their stories are filled with small miracles and big ones too........ and the hand of God so evidently seen woven thru the entire process to bring them home!

But aside from the fact that God led us to adopt our children -- there were some other factors that made Guatemala stand out to us as we began our adoption journey years ago.First of all being the daughter of Cuban immigrants it was a "natural" shoe in for me to want to adopt a Latin American child. I grew up in a very ethnic home and felt very drawn to the culture, language and climate of Guatemala! I had also spent significant time in South American as a missionary before I was married, and I loved my time there as well. Overall -- my heart was always drawn to Latin America - I wanted to be able to share and impart in my children's birth culture and the more I read about Guatemala and it's rich cultural history the more comfortable I felt in being able to parent a child from this beautiful country.

The second thing that really drew our attention to Guatemala was the fact that most of the children being placed for adoption were being cared for in loving foster homes vs. state orphanages and institutions. We knew when we began our adoption journey that attachment and bonding would be very important to us. We wanted to be able to have a sense of peace that our future children would be able to attach well to our family. All of our 5 Guatemalan children had been cared for in loving foster homes or small group homes ( hogar) before coming home. We are confident that they received loving care and attention. As we met with each of our foster moms we could clearly see that they had loved these precious children and that the children were also attached to them! As many of you have expiernced the tearful parting of a loving foster mom - is there any doubt that loving and quality foster care is such a blessing in the lives of our children? I am aware that at times there is situations where a child is not able to receive quality foster care and they suffer. My heart breaks for these children and I know their parents have also felt the pain of what their children endured prior to coming home. I don't think I am out of line though to say that for the majority of children in foster care in Guatemala - they do experience a loving and attentive caregiver and a special bond is developed between the foster family and the child. At least for dru and I , foster care was a huge thing to us and we feel so thankful to the many wonderful foster families who have made a difference in the lives of our children!

When examining Guatemala's adoption program we were also appreciative of the fact that Guatemala in country stay time was fairly short.
With children at home - dru and I knew that it would not be wise to spend weeks away from them. We were thankful we could make our trips of such length that would not impact the children anxiously waiting for mom and dad and new sib back home!! When we travelled together the first time to bring home our twins in 2002 - we were able to spend a few extra days in Guatemala and it was nice to be able to meet some other adoptive parents and enjoy our time of "getting to know" our new sons!
Our son, Samuel came home late in the fall of 2002 and dru was able to travel with our oldest son to bring him home. I was thankful that Guatemala's adoption laws allow for parents to travel together or if they choose to just send one parent for the visa appointment. I am also aware that there are families who choose to escort their children home.
The flexibility of choices in travel arrangements was very helpful to us.

One of the highlights of our adoption journeys is our "visit trips". Other than the country of Haiti - I am not aware of any other country program that allows the adoptive parents to visit their child they are adopting prior to finalization. I know many parents look forward to these memorable trips when they can visit with their new children and enjoy this time of "getting to know each other" ............ what a blessing! The other added benefit of visiting is that our children are able to come home on an IR3 visa and immediately
qualify for Citizenship. ( if being adopted by U.S. parents). For the adoption of our 2 youngest children we had the added blessing of being able to "foster them" in beautiful
La Antigua, Guatemala! That was such a choice experience! Our family experienced so much! We grew so much and learned so much! We had the great blessing of being able to care for our 2 children! I know of no other country where a family is allowed or permitted to care for their children during the adoption process. ( please do correct me if I am mistaken). I have met many other adoptive parents who also had the choice experience of fostering their children during the adoption process and I think we can all say what a great blessing it was for us to be able to spend this special time with our precious children in their beautiful birth country!

There are so many other reasons why we chose Guatemala years ago........ as I watch my children grow and learn and bless our home...... I have no doubt the ultimately God had led us to this beautiful country and these precious children! Each of them is just so perfect for our family - each of them is so unique and so loved!
There is no doubt in my mind that truly we were led to Guatemala. So many reasons "why" we chose Guatemala ........ but ultimately when others ask me "why Guatemala"....... I just smile and say rather confidently ..... " because this is where God led us to!"

Blessings,
Gloria
mom to 5 Guatemalan blessings