facing the giant

Dearest friends,

I don't know many of you personally.  But what I do know is that for most of the people who read here, we are connected by one thing--our love for God.  We share the same heart for the lost, the broken people of this world, those who suffer, and children in need.  We are sisters and brothers in Christ.  What a privilege that is!

And so today I come to you, my dear family in Christ, begging for your prayers.  I don't even know if I can put into words the urgency of what I am about to share.

Last weekend I posted a need right here.  The sweet Davis family. 

This is Tesney with her precious, precious Kirill.  Isn't he just darling?

Kirill has Down syndrome.

Tesney and Greg traveled to a country far away TWICE.  They met their beautiful boy. They fell head over heals in love. They snuggled him, loved on him, whispered promises of the glorious future that awaits him in his new family, and told him just how passionately they loved him.  They were smitten.

They were invited to return to that country to attend court.  They did that just last week.

For five long hours they were questioned. 

The judge deliberated.  Kirill's future rested in her hands.  She alone had the power to grant him a family, or deny him one.

Contrary to every bit of advice she was given from others in the courtroom that day...

She said, "NO!"

"You cannot adopt this boy.  He is better off in an institution than in a family."  The judge felt that his needs were better served in an orphanage than in a family. She stated he was "socially unadaptable" because of his "medical condition."

Outrageous!

Kirill was denied the RIGHT to have a family--simply because he has Down Syndrome.

The family returned home last weekend.  Broken, but not defeated. Hurt, but refusing the give up.

With courage in their hearts and fierce determination, they are rising up and fighting with everything that is within them.  They are working around the clock to put the necessary paperwork together to appeal the decision. 

BUT.

In the natural, things are not looking favorable at this stage.  The news so far has been bleak.  All the information they have received this week about their impending appeal is very discouraging, to say the least.

Yet, this is one of those times in life where we CHOOSE not to look at what we can see through our human eyes.  But rather, we choose to see things through the eyes of faith--for that is what we are told to do as followers of Christ.  The Bible is full of amazing stories of God coming through for His people in impossible situations.  Each and every time God called them to have faith, even just as tiny as a mustard seed.  God commanded His people time and time again to press in and trust Him, even as they faced their humongous giants.

The book of Hebrews describes faith as the "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Friends, God is raising up an army of people to pray for this situation.  I'm pleading with you to join in--to pray, to fast, to spread the word and to NOT waiver in your faith that sweet Kirill will come home.

Like I said in this post, this is a spiritual battle!  This is not a war against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and the forces of evil that try to hold orphans captive.  This battle is not just for Kirill, friends, but for many, many other orphans that can be adopted out of this region.  A successful appeal will open the doors for countless children to get out of orphanages and into loving homes.  There is so much at stake here.  So, so much.

But it all begins with one little boy.  One little angel who matters.  One little lovie who matters to God and to his family who had to leave him behind.

I put myself in their position and I just cannot even imagine having to physically walk away and leave my children in the orphanage. 

Please will you help me today?  Will you spread the word about Kirill far and wide?  Will you storm the gates of heaven and intercede for this child, his family, and the other children in this region?

Please. 

I am reminded of David as he stood before Goliath.  A little dude standing before the huge giant.  All he had was five small stones and a sling--and the absolute assurance that His God was able to fight the battle on his behalf.  That was all David needed--and all he needed to know.  The Lord was able!

Today the battle for Kirill feels gigantic.  But, like David, we have an assurance.  A promise.  A hope. A commander of the army who is far greater than any other.  His name is the great I AM.  He is leading many of us into battle to pray for this situation.

Will you join us?

Will you pray?

Will you face this giant with us?

Will you hold up the arms of the family who is fighting on the front line?

I appreciate it so very much.

And I know they do too.

And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

Exodus 33:17-19

Now, show us your glory, Lord!