Bureaucracy, Incompetence and Lives

There are days when I wonder how many lives have been lost due to the incompetence and bureaucracy of the Guatemalan courts and CNA, but most days I simply don’t want to know. Yesterday was a day that I did not want to know as I realized that another child had been lost by the system.

A few weeks ago we made the decision to accept little Humberto into our home from the malnutrition center, Casa Jackson. That was not an easy decision, but when we realized his plight we felt that we could not say no. So the appropriate messages were sent, papers were filed with the court and we awaited the official order from the judge.

Then last week we received word from Casa Jackson that the judge had contacted CNA to verify our licensing. And this is when the story gets interesting. The worker at CNA told him that we were not licensed to receive children.

Really? Then what is that piece of official paperwork hanging on our wall that says we are? Why are there 13 children that the court has placed in our home? Why are we listed on CNA's official Web site as fully licensed and accredited to receive children? All of these are very good questions. But the biggest question is this: Why on earth does the agency that licensed us and regulates all orphanage licenses in Guatemala not know that we are licensed? The answer is…they do. But some lazy worker did not properly check when the court contacted him because they did not care enough to do so.

So, we immediately sent a copy of our license to the judge, Casa Jackson and CNA to clear up this “confusion.” But, you can probably guess the rest of the story. The judge had already signed the order and sent little Humberto to a state-run orphanage in Guatemala City.

These people who are entrusted with caring for these precious children have tossed aside another child because of incompetence and apathy. And the only thing we can do is pray for little Humberto.

I do know that God is good and in control. I also know that nothing can thwart the plans He has for Humberto. But I am just so tired of seeing those that are supposed to be helping these kids not care enough to even do their jobs. Bureaucracy, incompetence and apathy seem to rein supreme and children are lost in the system and die because of it. We are a family that already loved Humberto. Our doctors were standing by to treat him. Our therapist was awaiting his arrival. Our shelves and drawers are labeled with his name. He already had a place in our hearts and home. And now he is gone before he even arrived. All because someone did not care.

Please pray for Humberto. Pray that the orphanage where he was sent has someone who knows how to care for him properly. Pray that he will be loved and come to know God’s love. Pray that he will have the treatment and therapy he needs. Pray that he will find healing and hope.

And pray for the system, that those who fill it will care enough about these precious children to do their job.

Blessings,

Daryl, Wanda and the Crew