Tears of Mercy

Mercy? What is the definition of Mercy.....Websters Dictionary describes it as "Alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed". The bible's definition is "The aspect of God's love that causes Him to help the miserable due to circumstances out of their control".

On Wednesday, Feb. 6th we received an email from our agency regarding all families waiting for Mixco Birth Certificates. The facts of the circumstance were overwhelming for me....and a short time later, I found myself in a flood of tears over the reality of the situation.

On Jan. 28th, our adoption of Bella became legal and complete in the eye's of the Guatemalan Government. However, US policy is that the Guatemalan Government issues a new birth certificate for all adopted children with their adopted families last name. This 1 document is required by the US to bring our daughter home. It is not a Guatemalan requirement, but a US requirement. In other words, our daughter is legally ours, but our country will not allow us to bring her home with out this document, a Visa can not be issued under current law. Please note, I understand that this policy is in place for probably a very good reason, I just have no clue what that reason is.

For the last 4 months, one of several Civil Registries in Guatemala known as Mixco, has been with holding birth certificates for their own financial gain..as well as power. In the beginning, there was hope and belief that new management had taken over and all corrupt individuals were fired and replaced. They also made the announcement that they would need 30 business days to review files before issuing a birth certificate (this document is literally turned around in other civil registries with in 24hrs to 2 weeks). Sadly, it does not appear as though that is the case. In the words of our agency "the children are being held hostage". Our own agency currently has 36 families waiting for Birth Certificates, some since October of 2007 (4 months).

Now, here my heart.....these are only the facts! The truth is, God has shown me over the last year and half of this process that this is only the facts, not the truth! The truth is....He has promised in His Word that "He will bring to completion the good work He has begun". I choose to believe God. And although my physical body is crying tears of fear, dread and hopelessness, its not true...its simply just not true, and my spirit takes over and say's "I will not fear! He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. He has gone before me and paved the road smooth." My God has promised good for me and for all the innocent children who are at the mercy of a corrupt government. God is bigger!

I share this with you because although I consider myself a daughter of the King of Kings, I am still human, I still have a physical mind, and sometimes, that physical thought process tends to give satan more credit than he deserves for power he does NOT have. So I press in to the one of Hope, Mercy and Promise. I press in to my heavenly Father and "I consider not my body" and keep my eye's on Christ. I will not fear, I will not let the enemy steel my joy, I will stand in God's Army and I will fight for My God who brings all things good.

On Monday, we will have been in Civil Registry for 2 weeks. I choose (and I would like to iterate "choose" faith is absolutely a choice!) to believe that in the name of Jesus, today, we have our Mixco Birth Certificate with NO previews! I don't care what "man" says....I believe God! I am also a servant of my Heavenly Father as well as an heir, so with that being said, I am part of a movement that will be assisting our agency and others in bringing attention to this circumstance to our own government and the Guatemalan Government. We are unsure of all those steps yet...but we are seeking guidance and wisdom from Him who has all answers.

It has and always will be our will that this journey to our daughter Glorifies God, His will be done, More of you Lord.....None of Me.

Our agency's director will be traveling to Guatemala next week to advocate for all of our families and the children. I will be posting a prayer soon and I will be asking all who read this to pray that prayer with us. She will be advocating of course on our behalf, but her success will effect hundreds of children, not just the 36 from our agency. Please check back to see this prayer.

I end with this "All is well with my soul". This is but a time....it will pass.

Blessings to all of you.