My heart is just breaking................

Over the past week I have been following a story that has become so sad and tragic. Words can't express how my heart breaks for this family, and I've had trouble finding the words to describe the story here on my blog. I always assumed and believed God all the sad details would be resolved by now; however, as of tonight, one week later, nothing has changed, and I feel like I must do something.

Then I realized that most people who read my blog are not Blogger people, but my family, close friends, Facebook friends, and twitter followers. If you have a moment, I ask that you read this story and pray with the thousands across our nation for the Lord to continue to move in the lives of these children that have no voice....

Ernest & Debra Parker are from Houston, Texas and have adopted a young Haitian boy named Ronel but because of red tape and new restrictions, have yet to bring him home from Port-Au-Prince. Ernest is starting day 4 of sleeping on the floor of the US embassy in PAP with his son at his side. The US ambassador, his local congressman & the state dept. have been very little help at this point.

Ronel was abandoned at the Rescue Center of Real Hope for Haiti , which is an amazing medical mission that takes in malnourished children and nurses them back to health. I am constantly amazed by the life-saving work these sisters do. When he was brought in, he weight 28 pounds . They were unsure of his age, but guessed him to be about 7 or 8 years old. Over a few months at the Rescue Center, his weight nearly doubled. Because his parents had died and no other family came to claim him, they searched for an adoptive family.

Look what a little love and care can do!!!

The Parker family answered that call. I've never met Debra in person, but I feel like we're friends through this crazy blogging world. Debra saw the picture and knew. THIS WAS HER SON. She and her husband Ernest started the process to adopt Ronel. This was well over a year ago. Like many, they were in the wait to get him home when the earthquake happened. Like many, they moved into action to try to get their son home.

Ronel was supposed to come home 10 days ago. He was one of the kids who did not get approval, and got left behind. My heart was so heavy for Debra that night, as she rejoiced for those friends who brought children home. But even worse was reading this visiting missionary's account of what that night was like for Ronel:

Tara told me today that the boys were flying to the US. One was going to his adoptive family in Houston Texas, the other to a family in Dallas. When I got back from my days work, the boys were all dressed in their very best to meet their new families. They were so excited. I was so excited for them. It was hard to watch them go. Later in the evening after dinner, the truck returned from the airport where 27 children were flying to meet their new parents. In the front seat of the truck was Ronel, the 6-7 year old that was staying in my room. I asked why he was still here and Tara told me it was because they needed one more paper for him. The other children got to go. She said she hoped they could get the needed paperwork tomorrow. I would never wish for you to see the disappointment on Ronel's face because it would crush your heart... it did mine. It was dark and the power was off. He went into our room, laid down on the bed, pulled the sheets up and sobbed. It was so sad. Tara came in and talked to him in Kreole... I'm not sure what she said but I know she was trying to comfort him. After a time she got up and left as I sat across the room. I could not leave him by himself. I went over and motioned for him to move over and I laid down next to him. The tears were pouring out of him. He was still in his new clothes as he fell asleep.

The embassy wanted one more paper to send Ronel home. He was supposed to go home the next day. That was a week ago.

Three days ago, Debra's husband flew down to try to get him out. From Debra: I did not know I would literally have to fight for him.

He [Ernest] just got word that the US is deciding to comply with a request from the Haitian government. That request is to approve of all children who leave the country after they have been cleared by the United States. France and Canada have not complied and are getting their waiting children home. Our US Ambassador has not cleared children and will not see the parents waiting/pleading. They were just told that the Ambassador has left for the day.

There are sick children and pregnant women sleeping on the floor in hopes to bring children home all the while nothing is being signed out. All documents are ready to go except for that approval.

...

Ernest has said that every time they call him to the window Ronel runs up to his side and says a phrase in kreyol with an expectant look on his face CAN WE GO? As in can we go home. As in can we go to THIS home. His home.

I will not lie and say that I am not fighting fear. I am. I am fearful of Ronel being hurt again. Being left again. It would break Ernest. I cannot imagine what it would do to Ronel. Would he understand that we would still fight for him? To think of it makes my stomach sick.

Please pray for this family.

I will post CNN and Houston news reports once they appear on the web.