International adoptions are officially reopened in Ecuador
On June 12 Ecuador began renewing adoption agreements with international adoption agencies. So that means that once again international adoptions are possible. That means we can start looking for families for the children we care for. Read more

 

Orphanage Service Adventures

For nearly 10 years, OSSO has been helping volunteers go to Ecuador. Every 5-6 weeks we send a group of about 14 volunteers to stay for 10-12 weeks (approximately three months). We like to think that after sending about 80 groups that have totaled almost 300 years of total service we’re getting pretty good at it. During those 10 years we really hadn’t tried to accommodate volunteers who wanted to serve but only had 5-10 days available to do it. That’s just not what we’d focused on. Well, that’s now changing. OSSO is now offering Orphanage Service Adventures, opportunities for volunteers to spend 3-10 days in Ecuador serving, sightseeing and getting to know the culture. Read more

 

We were NOT going to Ecuador to adopt a child…how we went from seven children to nine

It was 2:30 am on a cold December morning, and alarm clocks all over the house started going off. Getting up at this hour was not something any of us were used to. We had packed all of our suitcases the night before, including seven large duffle bags full of clothing for children, baby wipes, shampoo, lotion, hand sanitizer, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Our plane for Ecuador was leaving at 6:30 am, and we wanted to be sure to be in Salt Lake City in time. All nine of us were going. My wife Shannon, and I, and our seven children, ages 6-16, were going to have one of the most memorable experiences ever. At least, that’s what we hoped. Read more