Subject: Adoption update
Reply: kathy@mmprod.com
adoption update late March 2007
"This kind (of evil) can come out only by prayer and fasting"
Dear friends,
In the past few weeks, we've been prayerfully considering what our next step should be with the adoption. We've listened intently to the advice of those we admire and respect, and have decided at this point in time, we have come to a crossroads; the only way to continue to move forward is consolidated, intense, powerful prayer.
This week we learned the Judge is continuing to refuse to talk to our lawyer (in Russia) about our case. We have also learned that we are in fact the only American family who has presented documents to the Judge in Irkutsk. The only family! This means there are literally, dozens of other American families who are waiting to see what happens with our efforts, before they take a next step.
There was a meeting this past week between the governor (in Russia) and the head of the department of education on international adoptions. Complaints are continuing from European families, and the fact that the Judge has not accepted any American cases is also an issue. Thankfully, to our knowledge, no Americans have filed complaints. With any complaint comes an investigation - in our opinion, any complaint that is filed at this point will be seen as an excuse to continue to prolong giving American court hearings. In other words - don't give court dates until the investigation is over.
We would like to ask you all to join us in weekly prayer and fasting. Each Friday, remember not only our situation, but the overall adoption climate in Irkutsk, and pray for favor with all the entities that we (and other families) need to overcome. Favor is the key.
By fasting, we're not suggesting that we all not eat for 24 hours. For some, fasting might be not drinking pop for a day, foregoing the internet, a meal, alcohol, sugar or chocolate, anything that is part of your normal day. When you think about that 'thing' you are fasting, remember our prayer for favor, in the book of Mark 9:28-29, it says, After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it (the evil) out?" He replied, "This kind (of evil) can come out only by prayer and fasting. We believe this is the kind of evil we are working against, which is why we are asking you to join us in this prayer.
We know many of you (our friends) are of different Faiths, different beliefs, and varying ways of worship. We are asking for your powerful, prayerful support each Friday until we bring Anya home. If this is something you are willing to join in with us, please reply to this message. In doing so, your email will be placed on a list, and you will receive a weekly reminder (on Thursdays).
Even if you are not able to join with us in this time of powerful prayer, we want you to know we value your friendship and support of us in this adoption.
It has been a long hard road, and we are in no way considering giving up on our little Anya. She continues to wait for us in an orphanage in Siberia - waiting for her Mama and Papa to come and bring her home. To us, that is enough motivation to keep pressing in, keep praying, and keep on keeping on!
Blessed to call you friend,
Marty and Kathy Friend
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