About a year ago, some moms from FTGA (Friends Through Guatemalan Adoption in Cincinnati) were talking and joked that they should all go to Guatemala for a week--and it became Moms On A Mission! Now, the trip is six months away and the moms are working hard to accomplish as much as possible!
So, Aimee Davis and Sonya Zumbiel, two moms in the group, went down in November to network, see where the group would stay, and understand the work that would be done on a mission trip. They went down with so much to give--literally and figuratively--and came back with so much more: a passion for the people of Guatemala, an understanding of daily life, an appreciation for enjoying the simple things in life, a sense of needing to slow down in life, and a true love for their children's birth country.
Last week the group offically had seventeen people register to go on a week long mission in June back to Guatemala which fills the trip. There is a lot of talent and heart to the group--an internist, Dr. Staat from the Int. Adoption Clinic in Cincy, three teen boys, three OT's, and a bunch of great moms! It should be quite a trip.
They are working with Gregory of Hands of Hope and Rod of Orphan Resources to implement the trip. The group will spend time at the medical clinic and at hogars with little affiliation to adoption where the need for support is highest!
Everyone going has agreed that all checked luggage will be filled with donations which are being collected by FTGA families, friends, and area adoption groups. That is over 2,300 pounds of donations!
Yet, so much more is needed that won't fit in a suitcase. And they are a group that dreams big! Some of have asked how to get involved in this mission. Well, the Guatemala adoption community is filled with people forever connected with the country of Guatemala. One of the missions we all hold dear to our heart is a connection back to our child's birth country.
FTGA invites anyone who wants to get involved to help accomplish so much more, come on board. What they really want to do is be able to provide the means to purchase the things that cannot be carried down that are so needed. If you personally want to support this effort, or if you belong to a group--adoption or otherwise--who wants to get involved, contact Sonya, donations coordinator of FTGA, at szumbiel@cinci.rr.com.
Here are some challenges that groups could conquer:
How many diapers could we purchase at $150 per 1,000 diapers? Could we raise the funds to purchase 10,000 diapers?
Wouldn't a washer/dryer set (industrial size) be an amazing gift for an hogar who is now washing all things by hand? Can we raise $1,100 to do just that?
How many pounds of rice can our group raise the funds to purchase at $220 per 100 pounds?
Or beans at $130 per 100 pounds?
If groups went together, the accomplishments could be amazing! All donations can be tax deductible. FTGA has until May 1 to see what can be accomplished. Imagine adoptive parents all over the US and even further working on this mission!
Group founder's words and a great thought: We are not traveling as the heroes. We are going as humble friends to serve the Guatemalan people.
Posted by Kevin at January 30, 2005 06:13 PMThis is a truly inspiring story, and I want to offer the efforts of a smaller, but very active group of Guatemalan adoptive families in Lexington, KY. We are a group of approximately 50 families in the central KY area who get together about every 2-3 months for support, fellowship and learning. We all have an interest in learning as much as possible about Guatemalan culture and also giving back to Guatemala in any way we can. So, if someone from this determined Cinncinati group could let me know how we can contact them and help, we would be delighted.
Ginny (Julisa's mommy)
Lexington, KY
It is always so inspiring to hear and read about the magic of connections made with our childrens' birth country.
Our family is planning a trip to Guatemala this Fall, for our daughter's 8th birthday. We'll be travelling as a large group, with my parents and my brother's family, with all of us drawn to and mystified by our connection to this land, yet to be explored.
We would very much appreciate any feedback or reccommendations for the trip.
We would also love to connect with other Guatemalan adoptive families in the New York City area.
Thanks and regards,
Michal