This is from Lisa Holbrook of Caroline's Promise...

Guatemala 5000 Intitiative
Easy Steps to Take Action

Please take the time to make phone calls, send emails, or fax letters to your member of Congress and UNICEF/New York. We've tried to make it easier for you, by writing a sample letter that you can use. You CAN make a difference for the children of Guatemala! To learn more about the Guatemala 5000 Intitiative please visit: http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm

Step 1: Contact your US Senators by phone or email. Feel free to use our sample letter, making necessary changes. Ask to speak to the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff.
Email Richard Burr http://burr.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Phone: 202-224-3154 Fax: 202-228-2981
Email: Elizabeth Dole http://dole.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.ContactForm

Phone: 202-224-6342 Fax: 202-224-1100
If you don't live in North Carolina - find your Senator's contact info here: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Step 2: Contact your Representative to the House of Representatives. Send the same letter.

http://www.house.gov/ and use the "Find Your Representative" section in the upper left

Here is a sample letter:
Dear ______

I am writing in response to the Guatemala 5000 initiative. As adoptive parents and advocates for orphans everywhere, I am concerned about President Berger's announcement that there will be no grandfathering of Guatemalan adoptions that are currently in process. We have taken many mission trips to Guatemala and know first hand the conditions of the children's homes. Our concern is not only for the 5000 adoptive families in process, but most importantly for the 5000 children who should be able to come home to those forever families. We are concerned about the welfare of these children if their adoption process is not allowed to be completed.

We are asking that you get involved and
Sign the letter to President Berger of Guatemala that is sponsored by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. If you do not have a copy of this letter, please contact CCAI at 202-544-8500.
Sign the letter to UNICEF that is sponsored by JCICS. www.jcics.org

These letters simply ask that all adoptions in process as of January 1, 2008 be allowed to process to completion under existing notorial laws.

Thank you for taking the time to hear our concern. We thank you in advance for supporting the Guatemala 5000 Initiative.

Sincerely, ___________ (your name, city and state)

Step 3: Call or fax Ann Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF Headquarters
Phone: 212-326-7000 Fax: 212-326-7758
Feel free to use the sample letter below, making necessary changes.

Ann Veneman, Executive Director
UNICEF

I am writing in response to the Guatemala 5000 initiative. As adoptive parents and advocates for orphans everywhere, I am concerned about President Berger's announcement that there will be no grandfathering of Guatemalan adoptions that are currently in process. We have taken many mission trips to Guatemala and know first hand the conditions of the children's homes. Our concern is not only for the 5000 adoptive families in process, but most importantly for the 5000 children who should be able to come home to those forever families. We are concerned about the welfare of these children if their adoption process is not allowed to be completed.

We realize that you have incredible influence and are asking that you use it to ensure that the 5000 children already in the Guatemalan adoption process, be allowed to process to completion under existing notorial law.

Step 4: Send an email to guatemala5000@jcics.org informing them of your support of intercountry adoption.

Caroline's Promise 1950 Beeson Road Kernersville NC 27284

http://www.carolinespromise4u.org/

Dear Friends and Family,
You likely know my heart for orphans--especially after having been to Peru twice this year and seeing some of the most precious ones with my own eyes, hugging them with my own arms, etc. The recent news about the Guatemalan president suspending US adoptions of Guatemalan orphans breaks my heart! And it will likely break the hearts of the 5,000 precious children who will suffer the consequences of this action in the form of not being able to join the forever families that they have already been referred to.

Please read the info below from local adoption advocacy/education/help ministry Caroline's Promise and then visit http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm to see how YOU can make a difference.

JCICS (Joint Council on International Children's Services) is asking that we act on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (October 9th, 10th, 11th)--within a 72 hour window for maximum affect. (Sorry I didn't send this out sooner!)
Muchas Gracias!
For the precious children,
Jennifer


James 1:27 (Amplified Bible)
27External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

PS-I interviewed Lisa Holbrook of Caroline's Promise about this earlier today and will air portions of it on Stereo 1550 WBFJ AM later today and as we can. Please pray that God will use this interview compell our listeners to act on behalf of the children. Thanks!


Urgent Action Needed for Guatemala Adoptions

Many of you are aware that the President of Guatemala has made a decision to cease all Guatemalan adoptions to people living in the U.S., effective January 1, 2008. You can learn more from the Joint Council on International Children's Services:
http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm

"President Berger's plans also call for the suspension of adoptions currently in-process. Such a suspension would be extremely detrimental to the children referred to adoptive parents. If President Berger's plan is actually implemented, up to 5,000 will unnecessarily remain in foster care or orphanages indefinitely. This situation represents a pending crisis for the adoptive families who have chosen to provide permanency, safety and love to a child in need and most importantly a crisis for 5,000 children of Guatemala." JCICS website.

JCICS has established the Guatemala 5000 Initiative and we encourage you to participate. They are asking all of us to make 6 phone calls and send 1 email to members of Congress and UNICEF. They are asking us to do this on October 9 -11. Your participation CAN make a difference!

Ultimately we depend on our Heavenly Father to intervene on behalf of these precious children. We believe that He is calling the Church to do its job and get involved!

Guatemala Prayer List:
That people will take the time to participate in the Guatemala 5000 Initiative.
That the government of Guatemala will at the very least provide a "Grandfather clause", allowing children who have been referred to adoptive parents to complete their adoption and not remain in orphanages.
For the children's homes and caregivers in Guatemala who will now be under extreme financial stress as they try to meet the needs of children.
For the US families who have children in the adoption process in Guatemala.
PLEASE get involved! Visit http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala5000.htm and inform people who want to make a difference in the lives of children.

From Caroline's Promise www. carolinespromise4u.org
Kernersville, NC

"...we began to realize that many more families would choose adoption if they had financial support, encouragement and prayer support. From that realization came the ministry, Caroline’s Promise.We are excited that you have found us and encourage you to learn more about Caroline's Promise! James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. ” What is God saying to you when you read this scripture? What is He calling you to do? Adopt? Volunteer? Give financially? God’s word is clear – you must do something!" David and Lisa Holbrook, Co founders and Directors