Prayer Please

I know that I continually cast out my prayer requests to you, but we really need your prayers tomorrow. I go back to court for a review hearing. This is a very important part of our process to getting a visa. I’ve been waiting for this for about 3 weeks and the day is finally here.

Here are the big requests:

• Pray for the judge to show up. This is a new judge and, as far as I know, he usually shows up, but you never know around here.

• Pray for the judge’s heart to be softened toward our case and to consider the best interests of Mercy.

• Pray for him to issue his ruling quickly! This is a key request here. We hope the fact that it is a review and that I’ve been here more than 11 weeks will motivate him to move quickly, but it is not guaranteed.

• Pray for me to continue to feel at peace in this situation.

• Pray for Mercy to behave and show her charming side in court. She’s come out of her shell, and sometimes we wish part of her would go back in. ha!

The hearing is tomorrow at noon, which is 3am CST. If possible, set your alarm and pray for us. Or please pray for us as you go to sleep. Or pray for us right now as you read this or with your family tonight as you eat dinner. Whenever. I’ve seen God continually answer prayers in the past 11 weeks, really the last 16 months as we worked towards this adoption. I’ve seen amazing things happen as a result of asking you to take time from your busy lives to pray for my family.

The past few days I’ve had a song stuck in my head. It’s called “I Am Not Forgotten” by Hillsong. It’s on their children’s worship DVD and it’s one of my favorites to sing with the kids at church. I’ve seen lots of other adoptive families come and go with their kids the past few months.  I’ve wondered, “Why me, why us?” many times. But then I’m reminded of the song lyrics.
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I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
I am not forgotten
God knows my name
He knows my name

Light over darkness
Strength over weakness
Joy over sadness
He knows my name

Father to the fatherless
Friend to the friendless
Hope for the hopeless
He knows my name

I will praise you
I will praise you

For I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
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Amen. Or as Mercy says… “Amina” (Luganda for Amen)  Can't wait to tell you what happens tomorrow.