I've been meaning to write a blog about this for the last several days but it's just been so hard. Today, however, I received an email from my cousin Jennefer about a petition that needs signatures. Today I need to write this, today I need to spread the word and get as many signatures as I can to help bring my cousin's boys home.
Jennefer and Jason have two adorable sweet little girls. 2 years ago the adoption of their son's, Andre and Luke, was finalized. Andre and Luke are STILL stuck in DR Congo. It has been so heartbreaking to watch my family on this roller coaster ride. They've had moments of false hope, trips where they thought their boys were coming home, only to be told that there was a mistake and they wouldn't be coming home with them. Two years of trying to get to know their sons with language barriers, continents apart, shotty internet and phone communication. They haven't lost hope, they've fought harder then ever. Petitions, letters, visits to the White House.
Congo is still not granting exit letter, for their legally adopted children and many other children just like them. Right after Christmas Jennefer and Jason made another visit to their boys. Luke, age 3, was deathly ill with Malaria. His third time in a month. He need a blood transfusion. It was likely he would not have survived if they hadn't gotten there that week.
After this heart wrenching visit Jennefer and Jason did a lot of praying and decided they needed to make some decisions. Jennefer will be moving to DR Congo and will not be returning with out their son's. We don't know how long this will be. We had family dinner this past Sunday and like she told me, "there is no right answer." She will be leaving her husband and two daughters but their two sons need a parent with them so badly. While they are with a foster family who love them dearly things are just done very different their and they need their mom with them to take care of their medical needs and to bond with them and know that they are being fought for.
I ask that you please pray for my cousin and her family and keep them in your thoughts. Pray for her safety as things are not very safe right now there. Pray that things are over turned and she will make a quick return with their boys.
Please take a moment to read the email I received today and I ask you to please, sign the petition and pass it along. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Heather
"Thank you everyone, for your words of encouragement and prayers. Your prayers are working - we had some good news over the last two weeks! The DRC has agreed to look at the oldest "grandfathered" cases, which we are included in (there are about 30 of us). There should be a meeting this month where the Embassy will hand over our file and the DRC will consider issuing those cases exit letters. No guarantees, but definitely a big step in the right direction! Also, so many of you have reached out with names of contacts in DRC that might be able to help us, one of those contacts could particularly be key to getting an exit letter and all of them will help me get settled as I move to a new country. All good things for once.... :)
I have another favor to ask of you. The following is a link to sign a petition: http://wh.gov/ib4BV. Adoptive parents with children stuck in DRC are asking President Obama to communicate with President Kabila. Our goal is 100,000 signatures so we need your help! Please sign the petition and verify your signature in your email account (takes about 30 seconds total). Then pass on the link to your friends so they can sign too. (If you are outside of the US, the zip code is not required to sign.) As you know, it has been over two years since our children have been legally adopted. That is too long for children to be without their parents.
I will keep in touch with you all. I depart for Kinshasa in two weeks.
Thank you for your help!
Jennefer"
Jennefer and Jason have two adorable sweet little girls. 2 years ago the adoption of their son's, Andre and Luke, was finalized. Andre and Luke are STILL stuck in DR Congo. It has been so heartbreaking to watch my family on this roller coaster ride. They've had moments of false hope, trips where they thought their boys were coming home, only to be told that there was a mistake and they wouldn't be coming home with them. Two years of trying to get to know their sons with language barriers, continents apart, shotty internet and phone communication. They haven't lost hope, they've fought harder then ever. Petitions, letters, visits to the White House.
Congo is still not granting exit letter, for their legally adopted children and many other children just like them. Right after Christmas Jennefer and Jason made another visit to their boys. Luke, age 3, was deathly ill with Malaria. His third time in a month. He need a blood transfusion. It was likely he would not have survived if they hadn't gotten there that week.
After this heart wrenching visit Jennefer and Jason did a lot of praying and decided they needed to make some decisions. Jennefer will be moving to DR Congo and will not be returning with out their son's. We don't know how long this will be. We had family dinner this past Sunday and like she told me, "there is no right answer." She will be leaving her husband and two daughters but their two sons need a parent with them so badly. While they are with a foster family who love them dearly things are just done very different their and they need their mom with them to take care of their medical needs and to bond with them and know that they are being fought for.
I ask that you please pray for my cousin and her family and keep them in your thoughts. Pray for her safety as things are not very safe right now there. Pray that things are over turned and she will make a quick return with their boys.
Please take a moment to read the email I received today and I ask you to please, sign the petition and pass it along. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Heather
"Thank you everyone, for your words of encouragement and prayers. Your prayers are working - we had some good news over the last two weeks! The DRC has agreed to look at the oldest "grandfathered" cases, which we are included in (there are about 30 of us). There should be a meeting this month where the Embassy will hand over our file and the DRC will consider issuing those cases exit letters. No guarantees, but definitely a big step in the right direction! Also, so many of you have reached out with names of contacts in DRC that might be able to help us, one of those contacts could particularly be key to getting an exit letter and all of them will help me get settled as I move to a new country. All good things for once.... :)
I have another favor to ask of you. The following is a link to sign a petition: http://wh.gov/ib4BV. Adoptive parents with children stuck in DRC are asking President Obama to communicate with President Kabila. Our goal is 100,000 signatures so we need your help! Please sign the petition and verify your signature in your email account (takes about 30 seconds total). Then pass on the link to your friends so they can sign too. (If you are outside of the US, the zip code is not required to sign.) As you know, it has been over two years since our children have been legally adopted. That is too long for children to be without their parents.
I will keep in touch with you all. I depart for Kinshasa in two weeks.
Thank you for your help!
Jennefer"
This photo absolutely breaks my heart every time I see it.
Their room has been ready and stands empty
Sisters and cousins are waiting to meet them
I can't wait until there are 2 more little seats at the "kids" table where they will sit for our big familt get togethers
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