As so many of you viewers and friends of ours have be responded numerous times with "well when the DGM opens back up", when asking "when will your kids get to come home?" You probably ask excitedly... then instantly hit the wall of confusion, "what in the world is DGM" might go through your head... you might have thought and asked "okay but legally they are your children?" and then probably feel shut down because aren't we supposed to be excited to bring our children home?! Well "YES" we are! However, Explanation: In the DR Congo, even when you have your children and their visas in hand, the last step to leaving the country is obtaining an exit letter from the entity of their government that handles immigration – this entity is called the DGM. Last September, the DGM stopped issuing these exit letters to adopted children. They made this decision amid rumors of adoption fraud and rehoming. Their stated plan was to shut down for up to a year to restructure and investigate. We are 6 months into this year and what has been found is there is not much of a plan going on and many of these children are suffering greatly! There is quite literally no end in site with the lack of transparency in the US government showing any concern for the lives of these children that have been Legally adopted by US citizens.
Fortunately, if you have seen the documentary STUCK (its on Netflix) the woman from Both Ends Burning, Kelly Tillotson Dempsey has taken up the extremely honorable task of helping get our children home to us! Along with acts in letters and calls to our senate and congress, signing of petitions, and so forth. A voice consisting of families waiting for their sweet children, siblings, gramas, grandpas, cousins, aunts, uncles, sweet little friends that have all been praying on the photos of these children waiting to come home!
In our personal experience, having traveled to meet our children, their care takers and the culture on the Eastern side of the country of DRC- Been through court and have our adoption decree, waiting waiting waiting... on children we have held and are legally our own! HARD! I'm telling you what, if you are reading this and you shudder at the thought of leaving your kids with a baby sitter while you go on a date because you just miss them and sometimes you even think to back out of things so you don't have to leave them... that gut reaction, like you're going to miss something tremendous in their development (like walking or talking) or that they'll get hurt; I and so many other parents waiting for our kids have been living with this from the day we accepted our referrals. Granted, it seems like God's way of building a connection an ocean away. It hurts, regardless.
It is hard to have joy in suffering when in the case of a shut down, you feel like daily the odds are against you and your children that live in circumstances that could be avoided. I love, LOVE, the people that care for our children in the orphanage; out of our travels, God led us to licensing an organization focused on salvation, social services and sustainability. Our heart is rooted deep in Rwanda and Eastern DRC where our children are. This is all hard and I cry {ugly cry} every.single.day.... BUT God has this! God has them! It can look hopeless, but as for this house, we shall serve the Lord! He desires much for the lives of these children and for us! This process has broken many of us, but God is the rock of our Salvation and to not be moved... wow. Do you all know what kinds of witnesses you/we are?! This IS quite literally THE HARDEST time in my life and ALSO ... THE LOUDEST I HAVE EVER HEARD THE TRUE LIVING GOD! He is merciful and just. Gracious and loving. He never promised easy or comfortable! But in Him we can have peace! Watch Him intercede on behalf of our hearts and our children!
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Please join with us in praying for all the actions that have been sent out to advocate for these children in DRC! For the Parents! For the Sibling! I can not wait for all my six children to be under one roof! Thank you to all of our friends, new and old. To our family and the people within the government and outside taking a stand in valuing the children of DRC and in extension valuing us in this endeavor God is bringing us through. We love you much.
Sign the Petition Here! http://www.petition2congress.com/14960/please-help-resolve-pending-adoptions-from-democratic-republic-co/
Matthew 5:16
Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Missing our precious Congolese Phillips so much.
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