A heavy heart and silent tears for the Sheldon family
UPDATE:Bethany Christian Services are pleased to announce the Sheldon family has received their visas and are returning home from China this weekend. “We will continue to work with the family to make sure all their needs are met,” said John VanValkenburg, Public Relations Specialist for Bethany Christian Services. “This has been a difficult situation for the Sheldon family and Bethany would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support for this family, including the efforts of Michigan Congressmen, Vern Ehlers and Mike Rogers.”
Due to these special circumstances, Bethany is accepting contributions to support the family until December 31, 2007. Checks can be made payable to Bethany Christian Services and please indicate the Sheldon family on the memo line. Checks can be sent to Bethany's Donor Records at 901 Eastern Ave NE, PO Box 294 Grand Rapids Michigan 49501. Bethany Christian Services will give all donations to the family for their “Hope for Hannah” fund.
A family in China to adopt their daughter has suffered a traumatic loss this week when the Father slipped into a diabetic coma and passed away. The Mother has been told by the US Consulate in Guangzhou that she will not be allowed to leave as planned because they refuse to issue an exit visa for her daughter. The adoption is finalized and legal per all of China's regulations, yet OUR government is refusing to issue a visa because of the 'changes in circumstances'. They want her to re-file for the 171H and wait two weeks until it can be reissued.
This is preposterous! This family has legally adopted this child, the original 171H was issued with all the required information INCLUDING what would happen to the child if one or both parents passed away, also that the child would be financially stable and have approved guardians...all this plus much more is in the original...WHY OH WHY are they insisting that this family cannot leave China and return to Michigan so that they can arrange a funeral and try to put their lives back together.
Many adoptive parents and the blogging community, ourselves included have been in touch with Secretary Rice's office and the MI State representatives. We have also contacted Bethany Adoption Services in Michigan to see what we can do to help? We don't know this family personally, but we know this family.
Please pray for this family, for the Mother who has experienced the joy of her first child and the loss of her husband in one short week. Pray for the Child who has suffered the loss of yet another parent in her short life, and pray for the Father who only knew the joy of parenthood for a few short days.
Today I am thankful for my family, for their safety, for their health for their love.
UPDATE: I am sure many of you know by now that the messages we all sent early this morning were heard loud and clear. The right people are now working on rectifying this horrific situation. so many people are interested in creating a fund for this family, but I think we need to wait until we see what Bethany Adoption Services comes up with. What the family needs now is time to digest the week that has just passed and to get home and decompress. It will be a long hard road ahead, and I'm sure the Holidays will be especially hard for them. Our thoughts, prayers and wishes are with the Sheldons and their immediate family, and our thanks is with all of those who surround them with love while they deal with this loss.
it made the news too! click here
Quote of the Day
In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing. ~Robert Ingersoll
15 November 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
Hayley,
You wrote this beautifully. I am having such a hard time comprehending the tragedy of this situation and find it absolutely maddening that the US is delaying her return home. I contacted her state senator and congressman. Praying that help reaches her SOON!!!!!!
Anna
It is an absolutely devastating story. I can't even begin to imagine what she's going through right now. It's heartbreaking.
Oh my gosh, that is so sad! I will say many prayers for this family.
Tamara posted that they are coming home, it has all worked out and the family is asking that the adoptive community stop making calls (?). Not sure where she got the info, but check her blog.
From the Shockleys who are in China with Sandy:
Update on Sandy, we have been told that she will have to stay another two weeks in China to re-do her paperwork. I am not sure about her family being able to come over or not. Please continue to pray for her. I have been able to talk with her a little. She says that she is doing better each day and that little Hannah is helping her through it. Please pray that she will be able to get everything done sooner than two weeks.
From David (who is with her agency):
Bethany (the agency) has asked that we stop making calls as the right people are involved and are working to resolove the situation.
hayley can we set some sort of paypal thing up through your blog? so us adoptive parents can send money to them some how?
What a horrible situation. I cannot even imagine what she and her family members are going through. So devastating. I will say my prayers.
Ignore that last message, you already had it listed!
This story hit me so hard! I was just overwhelmed with emotion the other morning when I finally saw that she was going home on Saturday. I realized that prayers and power in numbers truly made this all possible. We have an amazing "extended adoption family"!! My heart is full.....we certainly have lots to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!
Post a Comment