"I believe God gave me this dream to let me know that no matter what happens with Kirill, I am simply called to run the race. I'm not guaranteed any kind of earthly rewards. My prize is Jesus and being with him in Heaven. My race is to run to HIM. So I will keep putting one foot in front of the other despite the pain. I will keep my eyes focused on the prize and run the path that Jesus has paved for me. Because the race is won and victory is in HIM. " [from Kirill's mommy]
[From Pastor Linny at aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com]
On the other side of the world {in Russia} there is a little boy....
His name is Kirill.
Kirill was found by his mommy and daddy on an adoption list. They worked feverishly to get all his paperwork in so they could bring him home. And during that time of working to bring Kirill home they found that Kirill is the first child from his region in Russia EVER to be adopted with Down Syndrome.
A birth mother keeping her child with DS is unheard of in this area of the world. Adoptions of children with DS just don't happen in this region, these children are literally hidden away from society in orphananges and mental institutions. As it turns out Kirill would be a pioneer. If Kirill's adoption was approved, it would pave the way for other children with special needs to be adopted from this region as well.
And so just two weeks ago, Kirill's mom and dad were there in Russia headed to court to fulfill the necessary steps to bring Kirill home...
and they were loving on Kirill....
and after enduring five agonizing hours of difficult questioning before the judge...with strong statements on their behalf from two doctors, two social workers and the Minister of Children's Services fighting on their and Kirill's behalf...and prepared for the court's stamp of approval,
the Judge gave her ruling:
"Your application to adopt is rejected"
The Judges reasoning:
Kirill is "not socially adaptable" due to his "medical condition" and he is better off in an institution than in a home with a family. The Judge did state several times that Greg and Tesney were a good family, that they met all the criteria to adopt a child, but that she would not approve our adoption because Kirill has Down Syndrome. She told them that they could adopt another child, because legally our application had no problems according to Russian adoption law. She said she would approve their adoption for a 'typical' child, but not this child.
The ONLY reason?
Because Kirill has Down Syndrome.
{Home study approved and Immigration approved for a child with Special Needs}
BUT
and so here's where we come in...
I just can not believe for ONE second that Kirill is supposed to stay in an institution in Russia for the duration of his life.
NOT A CHANCE.
Almighty God's heart is for the orphan and it is attentive to their cry.
Almighty God's heart longs for every child to be in a forever family.
"He sets the lonely in families" Psalm 68:6
Soooooo
If God's heart is for the orphan and He longs for every child to be in a forever family...then God wants to and will move to bring Kirill home.
But some things do not happen without prayer and fasting....
So I wrote to Tesney and asked if I could call for a fast on Kirill's behalf...
Her response:
Linny,
Yes! We would LOVE this...Wednesday is better for us; and it coincides with our appeal being filed at the Supreme Court. It should be filed on Tuesday of this coming week, so the Supreme Court will hopefully begin the review shortly thereafter.............and we are humbled and honored....
THANK YOU!
Would you be willing to join with us in a day of prayer and fasting? {possibly a meal, two meals, all day}
When:
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Will you do battle on your knees for Kirill?
For the other families who are in the process of adopting treasures with DS from this same region....
one even going to court on Thursday for a daughter with DS...
Will you please pray {and fast}with me?
Please spread the word to every one you know {Bible studies, small groups, bloggy friends, relatives, your children} a world wide fast this Wednesday to set Kirill free!!
"Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and holds us responsible to act." Prov. 24:12
Joining in prayer and fasting for Kirill,
~s
