Thursday, March 17, 2011

Hold them Close

Hold your little ones close those of you who have crossed the waters and brought them safely to this side of the ocean.  Hold them close.  Hold them and pray because today - early this morning - while they slept safe in their beds - clinging to their bears - dreaming dreams of family and love - today - this morning - in a court across the ocean - with a family pleading with every ounce of their being - a judge said no.

She said No.

She thinks that a child with Down Syndrome is better off in an institute instead of with a family. 

She said No.

Against the advice of every single person in the courtroom.

She said No.

No to this little boy whose family has done everything imaginable to go get him. 



He stays. 

Kirill has been denied a family.


Dear friends,

There just are no words right now.

All we can do is get on our knees and pray.

The Davis family needs us.  They desperately need our prayers right now.

There just are no words.

Kirill was the first Down Syndrome adoption to go before this judge. 

She said No.

There are other families waiting in the wings. 

The Hook family faces her in just a few weeks.

Eva


The Moreno family is meeting there little one soon too..

Baby J


Hold them close - those of you who have brought your treasures home. 

Hold them.

We live in a fallen, sinful world and sometimes, for a short season, evil triumphs.

But we serve a Loving God and He is Good.

He conquered death and the grave.

In the end - He will prevail.  Love will win.

God will triumph.

Wrongs will be made right. 

Until then... we pray.  We cry out.  We stand strong against the evils of this world.

We fight on.

We do not give up.  And we hold each other up.  Because it hurts when evil wins for a season.

And our brothers and sisters right now are grieving beyond words.

So pray.

Pray for the Davis family, the Hook family and the Moreno family.

Pray for all the little ones in that region.

Pray knowing that God will be glorified in the end. 




75 comments:

  1. Unbelievable.

    Praying here.....

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  2. Which country and region was this? Praying, praying hard!

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  3. ohh julia my heart hurts so much after reading this.
    Many prays for the families that will go before this judge :o(

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  4. On days like this...with Kirill and Carrington, Tanner, Anna, and Charity....Stephanie....when so many are looking to me for support and guidance...I feel the most defeated and helpless. So many lives saved, so many historic victories in 5 short years....and yet these few "defeats" trample my spirit. 450+ children saved, living the lives they so richly deserve...and to still be facing that kind of total ignorance in a Russian courtroom.....450+ testimonies, living PROOF, wasn't enough to enlighten this judge. It wasn't enough for her to give Kirill a CHANCE. WHERE ARE YOU GOD!!??? Tell me an appeal is possible. Tell me that when we DO appeal, it will draw national and worldwide attention to this ignorance, and bring our ministry and the needs of our children to the forefront of global concern and ACTION.

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  5. I just cannot believe this - after all they have gone through to get to this point - I'm in total shock right now, this is just so very wrong.

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  6. I am in tears..... how can the judge say no? It doesn't make any sense whatsoever. I'm going to pray hard for God to work on her heart and mind and hopefully no other families will be told no...

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  7. Imagine not being able to go back to tell Kirill goodbye to tell him you love him and you are going to keep loving him and fighting for him imagine getting on a train like they are now not knowing if they will ever see him again. Sweet Jesus, we know you are here, we know you are all around us and we know that your hands that bleed for us are covering all of us as we kneel before you praying for this family, this child. Love does win, Julia, it won when He rose from the grave and it will win again.

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  8. Thoughts and Prayers for all the families.. How terrible. My heart aches for them.. Oh if that judge only knew the joy these children bring to their families, communities and the world!!

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  9. I can not believe this...so very wrong. Can they appeal? I am praying..I feel as though in my hart this is not the end for Krill and his family. Ahhhhh I am so upset! What can I do?

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  10. how can someone say no :(

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  11. How horrible! I am praying for the family and especially for Kiril. I don't understand how a judge can think a child is better of in an instititution. God must have a greater plan in this. He really must have one! Praying hard!

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  12. Pray, and APPEAL. Russia DOES have an appeal system. It may not win, but at least ATTENTION and FOCUS will be raised . . . and the Judge may become more educated in the process. Change comes slowly . . . fear can sometimes rule. Do not give up, people. Other famiiles have appealed Judge's rulings in Russia before. It has happened. Hope Anne--Mom to a Russian Princess

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  13. My heart hurts so for Kirill and his family. Will pray for a change of heart for the judge. Did they give a reason? Is there a possibility her mind can be changed for Kirill?

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  14. I'm so sad for this decision. Surely God has a plan for something bigger to happen from this. Praying He reveals it soon :(

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  15. Praying for this judge to have a new encounter with Christ today in HIS name. I pray that she cannot sleep until her heart bleeds with regret. Praying for those to come before her. Ashley is on my heart, praying for Baby J too.

    So not Fair.

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  16. I just don't know what to say. How can this be?

    This must be sch a terrible blow to the families who have already endured so much. Praying for them, and the children who, according to the judge, are "better off in an institution"...

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  17. Oh my goodness! I can't believe this! I will never again think things are a "done deal". I prayed for their court, but I didn't pray for all I was worth. I figured it would be a happy 'yes' like so many other times before. No more lax prayers from me. I am praying fervently now that something will change and Kirill can go home!

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  18. Sad, Terrified, heartbroken, in disbelief... Praying...Praying...Praying!!!!

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  19. Oh my heart...no this can't be happening. Praying!!

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  20. Breaks my heart! Praying for those precious children and their families!

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  21. I just can't stop crying. This precious angel with his finger in his mouth stole my heart so long ago. I cannot believe how she said NO. Praying that there is some way for her to reconsider, to appeal, to change this decision. Please dear God....I am on my knees in prayer.

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  22. I'm furious and have no words that are suitable to type. I know I should be praying for her right now but God help me I'd like to shake some damn sense in to her!
    What is in her head!!!Never mind her heart!

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  23. I sit here in tears. Sweet precious Kirill. oh please let their be a way to appeal this judges decision!

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  24. Dear sweet Tesney, as a mother I cannot imagine what she is going through right now, the anguish, the horror, the heartbreak of it all. They will appeal if they can, I know they will, but to have to leave like this, oh dear God please hold the Davis' close and tight and speak to them through the sorrow, through the not knowing, and give them hope. You are using them for a powerful work I am sure. We love this family and we are praying for a reversal of this decision.

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  25. I am reminded of the verse God gave me when China said "No" to our Isaiah {who is now sitting about 15 feet from me.=)

    Isaiah 52:10 "The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of ALL the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God."

    When man says no, it means nothing to our Miracle-working, Mountain-moving, Awe-inspiring, Gasp-giving God!! He is bigger than any judge, bureaucracy, government or earthly mountain. But we must pray!! {and fast} and see the salvation of our God!!

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  26. no words..just tears & prayers for Kirill & for the Davis family. :(

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  27. I am even more grateful for getting my sweet child out of Russia. God please soften the heart of that judge and break open the strongholds that are smothering that nation in unbelief, pride and ulitmately hopelessness...

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  28. I am in shock, utter shock. Dear God, please, please allow this family to bring him home. Lord, MOVE this MOUNTAIN!!!!! My heart breaks, my soul shakes. This is so awful.

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  29. This is just unbelievable. I'm praying for each person involved. Just stunned, really. But I'm reminded that God isn't stunned by this- He in fact knew that it was going to happen and has still led the Davis family on this journey. I'm trusting in His goodness.

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  30. Tears and prayers here... my heart hurts... :(

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  31. this is rediculous! My best friend has a daughter with downs. There is no way that girl would have made it as far as she has today without her family. Institutions aint gonna help these kids. they need special individual, undivided attention...This is just rediculous.

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  32. Please start a peition on change.org. Perhaps lots of signatures sent to this judge might help. In the mean time, I am praying for y'all.

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  33. How heartbreaking:( At times like this the verse Romans 8:28 comes to mind: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
    God WILL use this seemingly awful situation somehow for His glory. Our family will be keeping the Davis family in prayer and others, too, that must face that judge.
    --Jenny

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  34. That makes me sick. Why would a judge say "no" for no reason other than to keep the child in the institution? How would that woman like it if it was HER in that institution?!

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  35. Is there anyway to appeal? My prayers are there. God Bless Gary & Denise Davis

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  36. This is so terrible. I came upon this post randomly through a series of other posts. All things happen for a reason. I will add my prayers to the list...

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  37. praying...and watching...and waiting...for our Lord to redeem this situation for His glory. We must continue to be a voice for those who have no voice. and yet, heartbroken today.

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  38. I just can't believe it, nor do I understand it. How can one person, hold the life of a child in her hands, and deny that child the right to a family. A family who so desperately wanted to bring that child into their family and give him love, give him a family, give him a chance to be free and grow up happy, valued and wanted. How can she even think that an institution would be better for this child? It makes me sick, sad, and heartbroken. I can only imagine how the family feels crossing that ocean only to be told no :( What an awful situation. Praying praying praying for a change of heart, for an appeal, for a miracle. Also praying for the other families who are to follow in their footsteps soon for their own visit with this judge.

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  39. We need to Believe together in the Mighty Power of our Lord Jesus. HE, who is in control of Everything! My heart aches, literally feels pain for Tesney and family and for little K. But, I KNOW that He can do Miracles! Let us all gather at His feet and seek His Guidance and Peace, as we Pray for this judge and the appeal. I love you all, so much. I admire the Faith you have shown in bringing home over 500 babies! Jo

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  40. Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:1-8

    Let's keep on praying people and wear this judge out!!!

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  41. I,m so sorry to read this . lets pray all will come right--cottonreel

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  42. Tesney and family, I have only been down on my knees twice before to pray and plead. This will be the third. We too lost our baby, a different situation but I understand the helplessness and complete and utter heartbreak. From the bottom of my heart I am sorry. I know as well as you that the words sorry mean nothing when you are hurting. Please don't give up and I know that you won't. I will be praying until your baby is home with you.

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  43. This is so wrong. It makes me cry for Kirill, his family, the other children and their families, and for society. No one has the right to judge the value of a child, just because they see them as less than perfect. This make me so angry!!!

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  44. Is this for real? Why is ANYONE on earth allowed to make this decision, especially someone who does not know the love of a child with D.S.? I am truly outraged and sad. I honestly want to know if something can be done about this situation overseas - this abandonment and ignorance has to stop. If anyone has any real ideas, I am on board, seriously!!!

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  45. there are no words to describe this judge..she will be judged on her decision when her time comes...the davis family and all families trying to adopt and save more special angels are in my prayers and in my heart

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  46. Julia- are you on FB? Do you mind if I share this post there?

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  47. How can this be???? I am stunned & heartbroken to read this. Praying for the Lord to soften the hearts & open the eyes of the people in power making these decisions. Praying for the Lord to comfort these children & their would be families. Please let there be an appeal!!

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  48. Praying Praying Praying!!! So terribly devastating. :(

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  49. I just reposted your post to thousands of my friends. I've asked them all to prayi. We are going to continue praying. I am so sorry. I love your heart and the faith you have in Christ. He is faithful and you are right...God will triumph and the wrongs will be made right. This is heartbreaking and I'm trusting Jesus to hold you in a blanket of his most precious love.
    Love and hugs sent your way.
    Renee' Loux and tribe

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  50. When we tried adopting our son from an institution many years ago (Russia), we were told "no" by the Director many times. He and the head doctor were very against special needs adoptions, especially out of institutions. They were convinced we were going to harvest my son's organs to sell, etc.

    BUT! The people that were helping us appealed to a very high court (they told me it was similar to our supreme court) and the judges there AGREED with US and told this Director that he was **VIOLATING MY SON'S CIVIL RIGHTS TO A FAMILY IF ONE WAS AVAILABLE TO HIM**. And WE WON!!! The Director buckled and gave in and I was able to complete the adoption!

    So if my case means anything, there is hope!!!

    FIGHT!!

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  51. My Name Is Vicki Jankowski and we have adopted 3 girls from Ukraine. We are returning next month to adopt two more. Our facilitator told me today that you can appeal this judges decision. My Facebook is Vicki Jankowski and if you need to get in touch with my facilitator I can arrange that. We are praying and please do not give up...

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  52. Do you mind if I repost this on my blog?

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  53. I am shocked and angry and distressed and lots of other negative things right now, having just arrived home after a long day without Internet access. Others have said it all - we're all on the same plate - but oh! The sadness of the Davises is just unfathomable. I wish I knew more about the appeal process in
    Russia and knew someone who could cut through the red tape and help bring Kirill home...but I don't. It's encouraging to see other posters who DO have experience and knowledge, and I pray that our RR community will be able to make practical use of that knowledge immediately, to make right this travesty.

    Prayers for all concerned - especially Kirill.

    Susan in Ky
    Cousin to Two from U.

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  54. My heart aches over this. What can we do? There must be something that we can do! I will be praying!

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  55. Dear Father in Heaven how can this happen? Love conquers all and Christ loves us the most. I pray theses children and families can feel Christ's love and trust him to make things as they should be. "You kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven." God bless you and keep you all.

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  56. How incredibly devastating for your family. Sending so many prayers to everyone! Kirill we are so very, very sad for you and angry at the systems in place, courts and directors of certain orphanages to deny children a home. We all should stand together internationally and protest such inhumane treatment towards this special boy and all other children and families that this happens too.

    Megan Fordenbacher, Life2Orphans, Inc.

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  57. This judge will stand before THE Judge someday. God is the SAME as yesterday , today and tomorrow. May He be the Comforter to this dear child and the Kirill Family. May He give the families waiting a peace that passes all understanding and change the hearts of the judges.
    Sending loving hugs and prayers.

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  58. Praying for a miraculous intervention that will allow this precious angel to have a family raising and loving her, not an institution.

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  59. My heart just collpased. I just can't imagine why this would happen. Praying for a change of attitude.

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  60. That poor baby and heartbroken parents...

    Praying so hard for everyone, including a change of heart for the judge!

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  61. THERE ARE NO WORDS FOR ALL THIS EVIL WORLD...HOW COULD SHE THINK THAT AN INSTITUTION IS A BETTER SOLUTION FOR THE LITTLE ANGEL.i WANT TO SAY MY HEART IS WITH THE LOVELY FAMILY WHO WANTS A BETTER FUTURE FOR kIRILL.keep on praying Because God will protect all of you!!!!

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  62. Thank you Julia...I am in the Moscow airport now. We just want to come home and grieve with our family and friends. We will fight and appeal. The reason of the judge, from what we understand, comes from a feeling that K would be better served in an orphanage for children with special needs because his "medical state" (he is completely healthy other than DS according to all the Russian doctors) is to great for us to handle; and she fears that somehow he and our other child with harm one another (???). We have some hope left for an appeal, but right now our hearts are shattered into a million pieces. I am holding tight to God. I will have joy despite this incredible pain in the hope of Christ.
    James 1:2-4
    2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

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  63. I don't pray often but this is something I'll make an exception for. There has to be another way. If you believe this happened "for a reason" than believe that the parents who posted their own almost-didn't-happen adoption stories are signs that their going there to fail was part of a journey that was meant to succeed..eventually! I can't wait to hear an update about an appeal. I would like to support that cause indeed.

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  64. That judge made a decision that is unconscionable. I will pray every day for this family and this precious child.

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  65. We will definitely pray for you and your family and all the special needs children in the world. I hope and pray that the system changes and no more children will be lost in the process any longer. God is with us, and through Him our prayers are heard.

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  66. I don't understand the resoning behind the no.....doesn't make sense~!

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  67. I have posted an invite on my blog for anyone who wants to join me in a day of praying and fasting for this family and sweet Kirill, as well as all of the people who will be apart of the decision making process for this sweet little boy's life, on Friday March 25th.

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  68. I will also be praying for this family to win the custody of this precious little boy who would be loved and cared for beyond all things. This is the right family for him and he needs to be with them and be happy and healthy. Praying for an appeal/change of heart of this judge.

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Loving words from kind people make our hearts glad!