Thursday, October 6, 2011

Warfare Prayers and a Miracle

Friends,

We are in need of your prayers. Let me update you and tell you why.

Our papers for Bella went for approval to New Delhi in June this summer. At that time we were told we would received approval in about 15-30 days to which the papers would then be forwarded on to the state courts and spend another 30 days and then we would apply for passport and bring Bella home by the end of the summer.

Obviously, none of that has happened. In fact, our papers are still in New Delhi and going on 100+ days now. The last several weeks we were notified of back log in paperwork in Delhi that was causing delays but that they would complete all backlogs by September 3oth and we remained hopeful as that day was quickly approaching... that our papers would be approved and we would move on to the next step.

But, September 30th had come and gone and we still had no approval. We've been notified of a remaining backlog of 550 adoption cases and they have now indicated that the pending adoption cases are projected to be cleared by December 31st 2011. We don't know where we stand in that 500+ adoption cases....but we are in there somewhere and now have no idea just how much longer this will take. Regardless, bringing Bella home by the years-end is fading quickly. It's looking more like it will be next year sometime. We are extremely disappointed to say the least.

On another note, over the course of the last couple of weeks I've been experiencing some serious difficulties (medical in nature) that by all means have proven to be nothing but spiritual warfare.
This attack from the enemy has drained me both physically and mentally to where at the end of the day I am weak and exhausted. I have been clinging to the LORD just to get through each day. I have experienced some extreme opposition to say the least.

This experience has me gathering thoughts on how these continued adoption delays could also be warfare related. It wouldn't surprise me. We've had all kinds of difficulties, road blocks and set backs along the way, but this time it just feels offensive. I was reading just last night a few other adoption blogs about how the enemy brought on extreme attacks during the home stretch of their adoptions. Similar situations such as ours were mentioned. I was even reminded of Russell Moore's statement,


Adoption and orphan care is not charity; adoption and orphan care is not another denominational program. Adoption and orphan care is spiritual warfare, because adoption and orphan care is about Gospel and about mission.”


And that just about sums it all up. The enemy would like nothing more than to try and put an end to this adoption....or delay or discourage or distract. With all that said, I am asking you to please consider entering into some warfare praying for us and our Bella. At this point, there is no reason why she could not come home! We are ready, she is ready, her room is ready.....and travel expenses have been fully funded. (PTL) We just lack one thing......our DAUGHTER!


This is not to say that we think we know the best time for Bella's homecoming or that we are doubting God's perfect timing and sovereignty. By all means....HE KNOWS BEST! and we trust Him completely and know His plans and timing will not be thwarted or delayed. But at the same time we have a real enemy that would love to opposed us in every way with the Bringing Home of our "orphaned no more" daughter. SO.....I'm sensing the need to call on prayer warriors to join us in this battle to get our Bella HOME. And SOON!


This is going to take a miracle to make all this happen by the end of the year....but that is what we are hoping and praying for. And we KNOW that our BIG GOD is capable of the impossible. So, will you join us?


We desperately covet your prayers.



12 comments:

Heather said...

Our family will be in prayer for yours and your sweet Bella.

Anonymous said...

Brittnie, I've prayed daily that "this will be the day" for this adoption to be consumated -that God will guide and provide. Great news that he has provided the funding. Be assured of my continued support now for His intervention to expedite the adoption and bring to you a rapid recovery.
Love you!
Dillard

Anonymous said...

I can't believe you raised 15,000 ! That is amazing. I have tried through two adoption to do fundraisers. I think my first adoption I made around 6,000. This adoption I've made much less, maybe 1,000. You rock.
I'm in the same position you are. Only my paperwork has been in Dehli since February. My daughter just turned 6. It's heart breaking. I'm praying for all of us.

Debbie said...

Brittnie, I continue to lift your family up and will add the adoption process to our church's prayer room. Having Bella home for Christmas would be incredible!!! Take care of yourself!! Love you! Debra

Sarah said...

Parying right now!

Amanda Seibert said...

on my knees...

Amanda Seibert said...

on my knees...

Karen Petitt said...

God will see you through this and Bella will be home !!! You're in my prayers.

Ms Cheatham said...

Brittnie, We have made it this far. God is not going to allow anything to hold us back. Bella will be home soon... And that is what the gospel teaches us. I will continue to pray for your family, health, and strength. Shalanda

Anonymous said...

Praying for you and Bella!! Adoption is most definitely spiritual warfare. Our case in Thailand was originally suppose to be approved in June, but one delay upon another prevented that. We just got word of our approval yesterday (praise God!)
But I can definitely see where the enemy attacks in the home stretch and pulls out all the last minute shinanigans he can muster. Cling to this, though: God delights in adoptions for the sake of the gospel, and God rules over the enemy. Hallelujah! The pain in your heart is great right now, it is absolutely exhausting in every way- spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Yet God knows the end of the story...no, even more than that- God has already meticulously ordained the whole story for your good and for His glory. From God's view, Bella's homecoming will not delay by a single day, like He told to Habakkuk: "For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay." (2:3)

Praying with you, Sister!!

"For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised." Hebrews 10:36

"The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes." Prov. 21:1

BrandonBoggan said...

On our knees, literally, for you guys! All obstacles be gone in the mighty name of Jesus!

No Greater Love said...

Check out this blog post. I don't know if you've read it before, but I believe it is seriously helpful! :)

http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/07/06/fighters

Praying for you...for real.