In 1992 we had the opportunity to do something beyond
feeling compassion. It happened when we shared the story of the little girl to Governess
of the state of Mexico. Her response was "If I send them, will you host them?"
Our response was "Yes!".
Every summer since then Living Bridges families have
hosted older children, large sibling groups and children with special needs. The children
have stayed with multiple families during these summers. In many cases, the children
have been adopted as a result of their stay, 
while
being exposed to many new families and educational experiences. These experiences teach
us that often a family not contemplating adoption can have its hearts opened to such,
by simply being exposed to a child. Also, the children have the opportunity to value
what being part of a family can offer them. Similarly, our experiences have shown that
those children deemed to have "special needs", whether they be older, in
a sibling group, or physically challenged, quickly become "adoptable" when
hearts have the time and opportunity to be opened.
These children arrive in the summer the same time as
Camp Guadalupe. This week-long camp provides a culturally and
spiritually based education for the various children adopted from Living Bridges, along
with American- born siblings and local American children seeking a Latin cultural education.
It is open to all children and children being hosted participate in all the camp activities.
