Jill Duggar Dillard is in Central America with her husband, Derick, and the couple’s first blog detailing the start of their mission work is making headlines to kick off the week. According to Us Magazine , Jill shared an update on their trip on the Duggar family blog on Saturday.
It was the first post on the family blog since TLC canceled 19 Kids & Counting on July 16. That move came weeks after the molestation scandal involving Josh Duggar was revealed in a tabloid report. Jill and Derick did not reveal their destination when they left for their mission trip earlier this month, but a previous Inquisitr report shared on July 11 revealed that the couple arrived in El Salvador safely.
Before the family of three left for their trip, their family shared some of their departure. The Duggar family shared a video to their site, and the family gave Jill and Derick a proper sendoff. Josh is not in the video.
Jessa Duggar also shared a photo of her sister and husband boarding the plane at the airport. Jill captioned the photo by saying, “So excited for @jillmdillard & @derickdillard! They’ve been praying about and working towards this transition since late last year, and are so excited to finally be heading to the mission field! Please continue to pray for them! And be sure to check out their blog at www.dillardfamily.com ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’ Mark 16:15.”
Jill spoke mostly about baby Israel in the blog she shared on Saturday. She said that, “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! Israel seems to be adjusting to the new climate, culture, food (via mom’s milk), and language faster than Jill and I are. 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.”
She also revealed that she was happy to connect with her family back at home, but she made no mention of the drama surrounding her family. Many feel that Jill made this mission trip to distance herself from the family in hopes of having her own reality series if TLC canceled her family’s show.
However, it is unlikely TLC will pick up a series following Jill and Jessa. Hollywood Take revealed that TLC’s ratings actually took a jump in a positive direction after the network pulled 19 Kids & Counting off the air. The network saw an increase of millions of viewers. More people are now watching the network’s programming.
Jill and Jessa will appear in a documentary about child abuse on TLC though, according to the Christian Post . TLC released a statement about the series.
“TLC has been especially concerned for the victims in this situation, including the Duggar family, and it is our hope that this effort will help those in need learn where to turn for information and help.”
The Duggar family also shared their own statement about the cancellation of their series on TLC after the news was announced. ABC News shared the statement made by Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar on their site
“Today, TLC announced that they will not be filming new episodes of 19 Kids and Counting. Years ago, when we were asked to film our first one hour documentary about the logistics of raising 14 children, we felt that it was an opportunity to share with the world that children are a blessing and a gift from God. We are so thankful for our film crew that has shown up at our house for over a decade. They have become like family to us. They have invested their time and energy into our lives and have been so loving and patient. We love and appreciate them so much! Over the last several years people have said to us, ‘We love your show!’ We have always responded, ‘It’s not a show, it’s our lives!’ Our desire in opening our home to the world is to share Bible principles that are the answers for life’s problems. With God’s grace and help Josh, our daughters and our entire family overcame a terrible situation, found healing and a way forward. We are so pleased with the wonderful adults they have all become.”
That statement did touch on the Josh Duggar scandal briefly. Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar spoke on The Kelly File in June about the scandal, and Jill and Jessa also spoke with Megyn Kelly about the family’s history of sexual abuse.
The length of Jill and Derick’s trip has not been revealed. The pair did say that it would be longer than the usual mission trip before they left. Could the trip be seen on a reality series at a later date? It is possible. However, another network would likely have to pick up that series.
In related family news, Josh Duggar’s wife gave birth to their fourth child, according to People Magazine . Josh Duggar shared news of the birth on his Twitter on Sunday. The new arrival’s name is Meredith Grace Duggar.
What do you think of the latest Duggar family happenings? Would you see a new series featuring Jill and Jessa?
[Photo: Jill Dillard Instagram]