Update !

Here’s what happened and what the status is…

Jason had to return home a day early because he has a new job and could not take too much time off. He and Sara had checked with Bethany (our adoption agency) as to what Sara would need in order to take the children out of Colombia without Jason. They did what they were told, but the information was not complete. A Colombian child who is adopted in the US maintains dual citizenship. The Colombian government is very concerned for the rights of the child even though the child is also a US citizen. Because we are in Colombia we are under their laws primarily. The problem is that the power of attorney that Jason signed and notarized was in English and that it had not been apostilled (sealed). Other governments do not recognize our notaries without the apostille. The mistake was that even though our government would have accepted such a document, Colombia does not, and would not accept it. The rest of us were already through immigration and security. Sara was able to bring me back to be with her and the children and to try to help her. During this time they kept saying they were working on a solution, but all they were actually doing was making sure they were accurately following their laws. Sara was obviously very distressed and we were trying to find out what we should do. Unfortunately the people in immigration were not cooperative and refused to allow us to contact our embassy or to give us any further information. Sara’s only solution was to remain in country and contact people who could help us. We have many friends here and they are working to help us. I decided to remain in country so as not to leave Sara here alone with four children. The problem with just me staying was that Kay could not travel out of the country with Jenny because I was not with them. It’s the same predicament Sara was in. So all three of us stayed and we all returned to the guest house. It was good to hear that the rest of the team made it back okay.

Now we are trying to figure out what is the best avenue to take. Jason can redo the paperwork for the power of attorney, but there is the risk it would not be sufficient. He could not do anything until Monday and then it would take a couple of days to get the papers down here. We currently have flights for Wednesday night. The next available would be July 6. Because that solution is so tentative, we are trying to get Jason back down here so they can travel back together. That seems to be the only sure way of getting out of country by Wednesday. There are other issues with our Jenny that we are concerned about. We were asked for proof of her Colombian birth which is the passport, but they were requesting her Colombian birth certificate which we did not have with us. We got through without it, but we might not the next time. It is totally up to the agent you happen to get. We are hoping Jason can locate it for us to bring with him. He is working this weekend at night and is exhausted and concerned.

It was a wonderful trip and the others on the team can testify as to God’s hand in the lives of the children we ministered to as well as the adults who were watching us. It was our intent this morning to share our experiences with you, but that will have to wait. When we started the work here last weekend, we talked about how we wanted God to be glorified in our lives and in the work He did through us. We do not want Satan to rob us of the blessings and the victory in the lives of the children. Jenny asked me last night if this was God testing us. I believe it is Satan’s attempt to steal God’s glory and that God is revealing His faithfulness. Trials like this can be used to bring more glory to God if we allow it.

The Colombian people are great and we do not want you to think poorly of them…immigration, not so much.

We appreciate your prayers and look forward to sharing with you in church next Sunday.

Pastor Rick