Two Families... Two Orphans... One Judge... One Prayer...

If you are in the Down syndrome community, or the adoption community, or you read my facebook page, you probably have already heard about this precious family, but just in case you haven't, I want to highlight them here as well.

Meet Kirill...

This sweet boy is sitting in an orphanage in Russia right now... he's met his mommy and daddy. They've held him in their arms. They've whispered promises of a better life to him in his ear. They came back home after one trip and prepared for their second trip when they would bring their little boy home.

On March 17, the Davis family went to court in Kirill's region. This should have been a formality. They should have told the judge why they wanted to bring their son home. They should have passed around some pictures of their family. They should have talked about their hopes for Kirill's future, and with tears of happiness, Kirill should have been declared a Davis. That's how it happened for our family. That's how it happens for most families. That's not how it happened for the Davis Family.

Greg and Tesney Davis spent 5 hours in court trying to persuade this judge and prosecutor that Kirill belonged with them. They spent 5 hours talking about how their family, their home, the United States, anything was better for Kirill than where he was now and most certainly better than the institution where he will eventually be transferred. They spent 5 hours in tears... not happy tears, but sad panicked tears, as they begged for the life of their child.

And the judge...
said...
no.

No.

No? What?! This judge believes that Kirill is "not socially adaptable" due to his "medical condition". That condition being Down syndrome. This judge believes that this sweet boy is better off in a mental institution than in the arms of his mother. In this institution he will be left tied to a bed. He will never go outside. He will get very little food or water. No medical care. And he will probably die in the first few years he's there. And that is better than giving him a chance at a life and love and a family... so says this judge.

But I said two families... two orphans... right? Right. Because this morning, another family, the Hook family, arrived in Russia to get their daughter Evan. And instead of feeling excitement and joy, Clark and Angie Hook are filled with a measure of worry, because Evan happens to be in the same region as Kirill which means they will be appearing before the same judge as the Davis family. And like Kirill, Evan has Down syndrome.

SO what can you do to help?

You can pray. Pray as the Davis' appeal this judge's decision and pray that the Hook family can show this judge that these kids deserve a chance! Pray that her heart will be changed as she sees not one, but now two families in a short amount of time come forward to claim these children as their own. Follow their stories to find other ways you can help. Let's get Kirill and Evan home where they belong.