TLCThe Dillards say they have left U.S. soil and have arrived at their overseas destination to begin a special new chapter in their lives.
Jill Duggar, also known as Jill Dillard, and husband Derick Dillard had announced in June that they and their 3-month baby son Israel would embark on a Christian mission abroad, without naming the destination.
"We are so excited to announce that we have safely arrived on the mission field and we can now tell you that we are in Central America!" Jill and Derick wrote on their family blog on Saturday, two days after TLC announced it had canceled her family's show 19 Kids and Counting.
"Israel seems to be adjusting to the new climate, culture, food (via mom's milk), and language faster than Jill and I are," they added. "In fact, he has been the talk of the town. Everywhere we go, people here about and want to see and hold the 'big blue-eyed, white baby' LOL. Israel is definitely growing and developing fast. [sic]"
TLC's cancellation of 19 Kids and Counting occurred almost two months following revelations that her brother Josh Duggar, 27, had years ago molested her, her sister Jessa Duggar, and three other girls. Jill and Jessa talked about the scandal in a Fox News interview and defended Josh.
In their initial announcement of their mission, Jill and Derick solicited the public for donations. They did so again on Saturday, calling for funds to be donated to the Dillard Family Ministries, which they said was "recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that accepts tax-deductible donations."
While the Arkansas Secretary of State website shows the non-profit corporation was registered in the state on June 17, it is not listed on the IRS website, last updated on July 13, among the names of registered tax-exempt organizations, including those eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.
"Above all, thank you to God and all our prayer and financial partners," they wrote on Saturday. "We cannot express enough gratitude for the ways God has been working through so many of you to make this transition for our family as smooth as possible."