I received a couple of emails from a friend of mine who is in Guatemala now looking into some orphanages as the agency we used is going to start assisting with Guatemalan adoptions. The conditions there sound horrible.
Her first email:
Departing Philadelphia several hours late and missing our connection in Houston to Guatemala City we had the pleasure of the Houston Sleep Inn. Sleep in we did not. On to the Houston Hobby airport at 7 AM. Finally arriving in Guatemala City at 1:30 PM today. My first impression of the airport area reminded me of a very brief visit I had in 1966 as a small child to the Little Havana area of Miami. I then realized this was one of the better areas of the city. With 5 large 50 pound suitcases filled with donations for the orphanages we made our way outside only to be accosted by more men eager to help with bags, a double amputee selling dollar store fare and children no older than 5 years begging for money. In a sea of many people we are one of only a few sought out by the locals. This was a bizarre experience.
Finally locating our driver, disappointed to realize he speaks no English we are on the way to the taxi. [ many, many single US dollars later] We have the good fortune to find someone speaking both languages well and offer this driver the address of orphanage stop # 1.
Casa Guatemala, locked doors, prison bars all around we ring the bell. We are greeted by a lovely young physician from London. Ali is our translator as we meet our next medical visa children.
Carla, a girl of 12 has terribly clubbed feet. It is unbelievable just to see her walk. Carla runs up and begins to hug us all.
A young man waits as well. He is 20 or so years old. A normal teenager in secondary school until 1 year ago when he rapidly lost his sight. He now see only a ray of light. On to the baby room. Of course I am very excited. 12 beautiful babies. Most with chubby legs and happy in this start bare room filled with nothing but a dozen metal cribs with paper thin crib sheets. I asked the greatest need for the babies. Aside from just about everything they need real diapers. These little brown babies are wearing torn tattered bed sheets for diapers. The babies are clean and well care for despite this third world poverty. Out comes my bag of tricks. The toddlers are like little bugs buzzing around me. Each child receives a new toothbrush and a Mickey Mouse baseball cap, it feels like Christmas and I am the sweaty Santa! More to tell tomorrow.
We adopted domestically and absolutely loved our agency, but we are in Colorado. Personally, I prefer to deal with an agency in my own area. When you adopt in another state, you have two states' laws to deal with (and they can be quite different), travel, finding an agency near your home to do the homestudy, anyway... 
Congrats!!!! That's wonderful... and such an inspiration to those of us still in the process. 
Adopted children are special ~ we were CHOSEN! 
