Saturday, February 7, 2009

Mighty To Save -- Will YOU Help?

My heart is burdened and has been for some months. Many of you who read my blog are not as entrenched in adoption or even the goings on in Kyrgyzstan as I am, and I'm aware of that. So, I'm taking it as my job to share what is disturbing me so much.

When we left Kyrgyzstan with Ellie, we knew that there was tension regarding adoption and that there had been no new referrals for a while. Now, many children who have already met their forever families are not able to come home because of a myriad of reasons, not the least of which is reorganization of the Kyrgyz government and many officials who have unfavorable views of international adoption. Some families have been waiting over a year to bring their children home. Efforts have been made with officials in the U.S. as well as Kyrgyzstan, but still no movement has been made.

There is not a single day that passes that my heart does not ache for these children and their families. Today it has come on repeated occasions -- as we walked through the zoo and I thought of how different her life is here and all that she is experiencing; as I gave her a bath tonight and she laughed and giggled; as I post photos to the blog. And while I'm not certain why we were blessed to have gotten Ellie out and home, I am thankful every day for that fact.

God reminded me today in a very strong voice running through my head all day the words to a song by Hillsong, "Mighty to Save" where the lyrics say, "Our God, He can move the mountains; He is MIGHTY to SAVE, He is Mighty to Save." I have felt encouraged to "do" something to help and yet I could think of nothing save praying myself. And now, I've decided to launch a small campaign to PRAY THESE CHILDREN HOME. And while I am well aware that there are many who read my blog whose beliefs are not the same as mine, I still feel it is my responsibility to do this because it is what I believe and what I feel called to do.

To that end, everyone in my email list will get an email (actually a copy of this blog article) and a link to the blog. I am adding a "poll" on the top of the blog and
every time you visit and stop to say a prayer for every child that is still in an orphanage in Kyrgyzstan waiting for their families
click "YES" to show you prayed.

It will keep a running total of all the prayers said for those children and their waiting families until they are home. I ask you to do this in honor of our little girl who was one of the last few to get to come home to her family -- Ellie. I ask you to do it for the friends and cribmates that she left behind that my heart aches for. And while I know I don't know them all, there are several that are very special and dear to my heart. So, if you need a specific name, some of them are:

  • Owen
  • Matilda
  • Shelby
  • Olivia
  • Addison
  • Madelyn
  • Bennett
  • Asa
  • Tulla Belle
  • Arsin
  • "Little Man" and his family here in Tennessee
  • Isaac
  • Alisa
And these are just SOME of the many that I know of and who are growing older each day away from their families.

I will continue to pray often and everytime I visit or update my blog, I can ASSURE YOU that I will mark the box, "Yes, I just prayed for these children to come home."

You see, "My God, He can Move the Mountains. He is Mighty to Save." And, I know with unrelenting prayer, He will prove the faithful right. Please join so that when these children begin to come home, you can say that you were a part of this wonderful blessing.

I leave you with the video by Hillsong, "Mighty to Save."




Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy;
He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.
Psalm 18:7
Then the earth quaked and rocked,
the foundations also of the mountains trembled;
they moved and were shaken because He was indignant and angry.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I am crying rivers. Thank you Maria, I know that prayer is all we have right now. He does have the power to kove mountains. Our hearts do ache for our kids. But smile every time I read about Ellie. Thank you for this offer up of prayer for our kids.

Becky said...

I believe in prayer. Our dossier is ready, but Kyrgyz isn't... and I pray that these children can come home to their families... and soon! And of course I pray that someday, someday soon, we will be blessed with our beautiful daughter.

All the families are in our prayers.

J & H said...

Maria,
Prayer is so powerful...You have touched my heart with yours! I so appreciate that our babies in Kyrgyzstan are on your heart and mind...
Our God IS MIGHTY to SAVE!
Much love,
Holly

Hilary Marquis said...

Maria,

This is wonderful! And of course you know that we have been praying for all those left behind for 18months. Thank you for giving us some more names to pray for specifically. Our God is mighty to save!

Margaret and Tom said...

Thank you Maria, this is a great idea. I often think "why were we so lucky to get Milana home?" as well...I don't know the answer to that...but as you, I can't imagine the anquish these other parents are going through who are still waiting. Thanks for putting it all into words so well. Can you add a little girl named Alisa to the list as well. I don't think her family here will mind and I pray for her often specifically.

Rachel said...

Maria, that song was on my heart yesterday too. It was actually regarding Scarlett's surgery, but so interesting that it came up for both of us.

In between reading your blog and posting this comment, I prayed, as I often do, for these children. I would also ask prayer for a little girl named Dillen in Vietnam. Her parents have also been waiting nearly a year to bring her home.

Pamela said...

Maria, thanks so much for continuing to keep Tulla Belle (aka: Addison Jessie Bermet) in your prayers. It means so much to know that the prayer brigade is out in full force!

Big love to you and your family!

Pamela

Anonymous said...

I love that you called them
"forever families" It's a neat lil term don't you think?