still fighting.

As I reflect back on the past couple of weeks, I am in awe. The outpouring of love, support and encouragement from so many has truly strengthened my weary heart. Prayers on behalf of our daughter have reached God’s ears from all over this globe. I am immensely grateful and hopeful that all of this work will bring awareness and a solution to bring her home to our waiting arms. 

This message to waiting families from Kelly with Both Ends Burning (leading the advocacy campaign) sums up the hard work of the past two weeks: 

CONGRATULATIONS! What you have accomplished in less than ten days is nothing short of spectacular! Over 100,000 letters to Congress were sent for your children. It appears as many as 200 members of Congress are stepping forward to extend a hand to the President and Prime Minister of DRC to seek a solution to whatever it is that stands between you and your children. You all became the news in over 20 markets, and more stories are coming every day. For the first time in the history of my work in this field, members of Congress are reaching out to me to see what they can do to help you be united with your children. 

On Monday, we were interviewed by our local news station about our story. The sweet reporter called and asked if “we could talk this afternoon.” Thinking she wanted to talk on the phone, I agreed. Thankfully, I clarified asking if she meant “talk in person – as in, on camera” and she said yes and that she would be at our house in about an hour. 

Y’all. I was a mess. I had been doing laundry and unpacking (the never-ending supply of) boxes all day. I called Dave frantically leaving messages and texts to COME HOME NOW. His brother finally got in touch with him (he was working on some piece of equipment and didn’t hear my calls) and he came right home to save the day and clean the house while I showered. 

{Important side-note and lesson learned: we clearly need to practice our emergency procedures – I could have been in labor}!

You can view the story HERE. I wish they would have shared the petition to Congress so folks watching had a specific way to help do something. Yet, I think they did a great job editing down our hour and a half of talking and crying into a short segment.

{Another side-note; I fully realize that I don’t actually look pregnant because of the strange way I’m sitting – could someone had told me to sit up straight, would that have been too much to ask?? I’m sure people watching thought I had just been under so much stress this past year and a half that I’ve taken up competitive beer drinking, hence the beer gut. To clarify, that is not the case. I’m actually growing a human here}. 

Then, after all of this good news and momentum, we were knocked off our feet with really shocking news yesterday. There was a delegation from DRC headed to the US this week and next to meet with our government, as well as families and children that are home. We found out yesterday that the delegation trip was canceled. There are rumors as to why and what happens next but it is all speculation at this point. I am feeling a supernatural peace about this news. I’m praying that this is God’s hand and He will turn this surprising news into something good. He isn’t surprised, He knew this would happen all along. He has a bigger plan and He is working. 

More than ever, I know that we are not fighting against flesh and blood in this battle. There are innocent lives caught in the middle of a power struggle with the ‘spiritual forces in the heavenly places’. 

Please continue to pray fervently with us for all of the children growing up thousands of miles away from the love a family. Pray for their little hearts as they wait. This wait is hard on us but there is no comparing the pain of a parent longing for their child to the pain of a child longing for a parent. Please pray that the wait is coming to an end very soon.