Back to the Hospital

Apologies for the delay in posting updates - I was down and out since I returned home with another round of malaria, but have been on the mends for the last 2 days.

Imara went back to the hospital three times this week - Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  She was spiking a very high fever and they were trying to determine the source.  It appears the internal organ damage is still infected.  She is on two different antibiotics (her 4th round) and we are hoping the antibiotics can hold the infection at bay until she gets cleared to travel.

The court documents we were waiting on were issued on Monday as the judge had told us last Saturday.  This was a huge relief...but DGM has yet to accept all of her documents for review.  On Tuesday when they were presented, DGM requested a second letter from the foster father and told him to come back with the documents when he had the additional letter.  DGM was closed Wednesday and Imara and her foster father spent all day Thursday at the hospital trying to figure out what was causing her extremely high fever.  On Friday Imara's documents were presented to DGM, but DGM said they would not accept them that day - no particular reason - my guess is the director that authorizes document acceptance was not there.  Today, Imara's foster father had a meeting with the judge on Baby Joshua's case and could not make it to DGM to try and have them accept Imara's documents.

So, we still wait.  Please pray for the infection to go away, that her little body can keep holding on, DGM will accept Imara's documents, and they will have mercy on her.

Left Congo

Our new conversation...

Luke:  "Remember when we went to Congo?  And you got malaria?"
Keela:  "And you got robbed?"
Luke:  "And you almost got arrested?"
Keela: "And street kids were being executed and street vendors were being chased off by the police?"
Luke:  "Good thing we didn't have a severely injured child with us!"

Congo is usually crazy....but wow!

I have left Congo.  I still have malaria, but that is not why I left.  With all the issues DGM and courts have been having this last week (i.e., children being smuggled over borders), it was best to leave.  Congo's laws change on a near weekly basis and in the November time frame, DRC enacted a policy that requires children leaving the country with a foreigner to have a court order to do so.  We have been working on Imara's court order for 2+ weeks and for some reason on Saturday, the judge put together that I was the one who escorted baby Joshua to the U.S. in September.  At that time, a court order was not required or even ever offered by the court and DGM issued an exit letter for Joshua according to their legal process.  Well, the judge on Saturday decided that even though Joshua is already in the U.S. and left prior to the new policy, he needs a court order to be there to prove he wasn't trafficked (who traffics severely emaciated and dying 4 month old boys?) and the judge wanted pictures of Joshua in the hospitals and his hospital records that day (gave us about 5 hours) or it would be grounds to arrest the people involved in his case.  (No, that is not even legal there....but it doesn't matter - it is guilty until proven innocent in DRC)  In the meantime, Imara's (and Joshua's) foster father talked with the judge and got it worked out, but I decided to leave so there was no appearance that I was trying to leave the country with Imara without the court's approval.  We have provided the court with all of the information they have requested for Joshua and the judge said he will issue Imara's court order on Monday.  (Oh how quickly things change in Congo.)

While I was packing to leave, two DRC attorneys and the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa reviewed baby Joshua's case and agreed that he left legally and that the new court order was enacted in November so it was not legal for the judge to threaten us.  The U.S. Embassy marine security officers and duty officers were alerted to the situation and I moved my flight up a day and made it to the airport in time.  Luke is leaving today.  He finished up the work that was remaining for us to do there before heading to the airport.

Imara went back to her foster family and was perfectly happy to see them and give them big hugs.  She kept telling me "I will see you tomorrow" and her foster mother explained that it will be longer than one day, but in a few weeks she can go see me - and Imara said that was OK. :)  As soon as we get the court order (which hopefully is Monday as the judge has said), then Imara's documents will go to DGM.  At that point we will get specific information on what they will require for her case.  Her foster father is thinking 1-2 weeks and we should have her exit letter - and I very much hope it is no longer than that for her sake.  When she is cleared for travel, it looks like Lucy will fly back over to escort her to the U.S. hospital.  We just pray her body holds out during this delay.

Congo is a beautiful country and its people are more beautiful and interesting - but the years of colonialism, dictatorship, conflicts, and wars has done nothing to help DRC's ability to provide for, protect, and help its most vulnerable citizens.  Orphans would not need to be adopted internationally, children would not be beaten to near-death in an act accepted by some churches and many communities, and the level and number of atrocities committed against women and children would not happen if Congo had a stable government.  But as all countries know, that is not easy or quick, particularly for such a large, asset-rich, geographically inaccessible, infrastructure-poor country.  Until DRC can provide for it's citizens, the most vulnerable in Congo need help and we pray that the government will afford its citizens the opportunity to access that help.

Oh Congo....

So, there is this old song about Congo....it goes....

"Nothing can go wrong-o,
I'm in the Cong-o."

However, we are quite sure the person that wrote those lyrics has not been to Congo.  All day we have been singing...

"If it can go wrong-o,
It will because it's Cong-o"

And then our conversation this morning goes....

Keela:  "Hey, remember when we went to Congo and you got robbed?"
Luke:  "And you got malaria?  Good thing we didn't have a severely injured kid with us!"

Bahaha!

So, yeah - Congo is crazy.

On Wednesday all the vendors up and down the street by our guest house were literally run off by the police in what is called "Operation Kin Propre".  Every 3 months or so the Congolese police go and violently destroy all the street vendors setups (tents, chairs, goods they are selling) and literally chase the vendors down the streets.  We were on the street about a hour before it happened and then we went back out and everything was destroyed.  However, most of them were back by today.

Yesterday we found out I have malaria - awesome.  I am taking doxycycline as a preventative measure, but apparently this little parasite is resistant to it.  It was caught early, so it is not too bad, but I'm taking "the cure" that is fairly rough on a person.  Luke was supposed to leave this morning and thank God he was able to push his flight to Monday.

Imara is doing so-so.  Her abdominal pain is getting worse and we believe she has an internal infection in her abdomen.

With her issued medical visa, we are working to get her an exit letter.  This is a difficult thing because Congo has a suspension on exit letters for adoptive children.  Imara has not been adopted, but they are very suspicious of any child leaving with a foreigner.  We are needing a document from the commune in order to submit her exit letter request and we have been waiting on it for over 2 weeks - and we still do not have it!!!

On top of that, DGM stated today that they will not be issuing exit letters to any foreigner taking a minor child out of the country, even for medical visas!!!  AHHHH!  Seriously?!?!  So apparently 100 children were attempted to be smuggled over a Congo border on Tuesday, so now all exit letters are being suspended.  The ridiculous thing is, the child smugglers were not trying to use the legal process - they weren't applying for legal exit letters - they were smuggling kids over the border.  Why shut down the legal process for the kids that are are trying to legally leave the country - particularly the ones who need outside medical care to survive.  Then we heard that DGM will issue exit letters to medical visa holders, but the case has to go through the judicial system and then be signed off by the President.  Hmmmm - that is no easy feat...would probably take a month.

We are looking at two options.  First, get her case approved by the court and then by the President.  (Anyone know the President?) Second, have her escorted to the U.S. by a Congolese citizen.  The problem DGM is having is with foreigners leaving with Congolese children, but all Imara needs is to get to the U.S. hospital that will treat her, so being escorted by a Congolese citizen is just fine.  Getting a Congolese citizen a U.S. visa is no easy or quick feat.  Does anyone know a Congolese person that has a valid U.S. visa?

Visa Approved!!

Oh man - today was a great day!

We went to the bank at 8:00AM when the guard from yesterday told us to.  When we got there, he said we will need to wait in the car until 8:30AM.  Then he got permission to let us sit in the bank lobby.  There we sat...8:45AM, 9:00AM, 9:15AM, 9:30AM....(the visa appointment was to start at 9AM)  We kept seeing the guard walk back and forth past the lobby door and each time he would motion for us to keep waiting and smile.  Finally, at 9:00AM the bank director came into the lobby.  He realized I spoke English and started to speak to me in perfect English and asked me about Imara's situation.  I showed him pictures and explained what had happened including finally getting the passport yesterday after the bank was closed.  He was horrified and kept asking how could anyone do this to a child?  He told me the woman that does the U.S. visa fee processing only works Monday/Wednesday/Friday, but he would try his best to make it happen.  Ten minutes later he was walking back with my payment receipt!  Additionally, he sat back down by me and asked for more information on the organization that is helping Imara because he said there are so many children that need help - whether getting medical care inside or outside of Congo - and he wanted to help!  He walked us all the way outside through the gate of the bank and walked up to the guard and said the guard was who we needed the thank - he absolutely insisted the bank director meet with us.  The bank director said God is good as we were leaving and that He will take care of it for us.  Isn't that the truth?

Then, we ran back over to the U.S. Embassy where they let us in!  The Consular reviewed Imara's paperwork and needed to confirm her injuries.  After he saw her back, leg, and mouth, the said he couldn't believe someone would do this to a child.  He said all of her paperwork was in order and approved her medical visa!!  We pick it up tomorrow at 3:00PM!

Next step is an exit letter!  This is no easy feat - even the consular warned that again today.  As soon as we get Imara's documents tomorrow afternoon, they are being taken over to DGM (Congolese immigration authorities).  Then, I am hoping to meet with the Minister of Gender and Family who has offered to help provide their support into DGM showing the humanitarian urgency of the situation.  The following morning we hope to meet with the Minister of Health who will hopefully also help provide their support for Imara's case at DGM.

Right now in Congo, DGM has suspended all exit letters for adopted children - this is why the getting the exit letter is so problematic.  Imara has not been adopted - she was just abandoned about 3 weeks ago.  That is why the other Ministries are offering their support to clearly demonstrate this is a humanitarian case.  We hope and pray the DGM officials will review her case quickly and go ahead and issue the exit letter.  We are up for another big day tomorrow!

A New Week With a Passport

Internet has been down for a while and when we had it, it was not good enough for a blog post.  Here is what was going on over the last few days...

Keela D

December 12

Imara is a tough cookie. She is very injured, but is tolerating the pain remarkably well! Her lip is healing very quickly and doesn't look like it will need surgery.  We are still waiting on her passport...the passport office said tomorrow....although that has been their line for the past 3 days....

Keela D

December 14

Well....the last 24 hours has been rough. Imara is in fairly extreme pain most of the time. The pain killer knocks it down for an hour or two, but other than that, she is shrieking and doubling over in pain with tears pouring down her face asking for more medicine. The cerebral swelling appears to be worse, she says her belly is hurting a lot, and we are worried about septicemia – the increasing pain is concerning. It is definitely hard knowing there is excellent medical care waiting for her in the U.S., but until the passport is printed, we can't really help her. On top of that, I was bit by something (not a mosquito) 7 times on my face. I have big welts all over my face with a pretty gnarly headache. And on top of that, I'm here with another ABI volunteer, Luke, who was robbed on the street this morning! He is not hurt and the robbers only made off with $50, a key, and his Congo phone, but it was scary. To sum it up, we'll take any prayers we can get for safety, quick paperwork, and to keep Imara's body strong while we wait this out.

Today's Update:

We finally got Imara's passport!!!  Thank you Lord!  The office that prints passports apparently did not have power or internet for a few days and was not able to print any passports.  While we were waiting last Thursday and Friday we met with an Advisor and Director for DRC's Ministry of Gender and Family to tell them about Imara's story.  They were horrified by what happened to Imara and are offering their support to help get the remaining documents prepared and approved.  In addition, they are considering using Imara's case to advocate against this type of violence in Congo - it is horrible this happened to Imara, but it is our hope that her story can help prevent a similar situation happening to another child.

Imara is still in significant pain.  Her brain is still swollen and we notice different neurological effects every day.  Her injured right arm is significantly colder than her left arm which indicates a circulation issue and it hurts her quite a bit.  She is leaking a clear fluid and some blood from her rectum indicating internal organ injury.  Poor thing also has scabies all over her head.  Needless to say, she is very uncomfortable and in a lot of pain, but luckily the pain killers give her periods of relief.  She is an absolutely adorable and sweet little girl.  It is hard not to keep thinking about why anyone would do this to her.  As we learn more about her story, we slowly start to see pieces of the situation that led to the abuse.  The radial "christian/evangelical" churches and followers are popularizing accusations of witchcraft/sorcery along with the exorcism rituals and the misfortune some families see leaving them completely destitute to the point where adults eat one meal one day and children eat one meal the next day significantly contributes to the horrific phenomenon of "children witches".  That is not to say those are excuses, just that the issue is complex and increasingly prevalent.  It is comforting to know that the Congolese government officials responsible for children's social affairs are working to stop this violence against children.

Now that we have Imara's passport, we can meet with the U.S. Embassy in hopes of Imara being issued a medical visa.  We have an appointment for tomorrow morning, but there is a visa fee that has to be paid at a local bank prior to the meeting.  The bank is only open for visa fees Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30-12:30.  We did not get the passport in hand until after 1:00PM today.  Even though it was after the allotted visa fee time at the bank, I went over there today to see if they may possibly let me pay her fee based on the urgency of the situation.  By the time we figured out the bank's location and sat in the car for 45 minutes in grid-locked traffic to travel 2 miles (and yes, I tried to walk, but I was told twice it is not a good idea and I would probably get robbed in that area of town), the guards at the bank would not let us in because the bank was closing.  They said we have to come back Wednesday (which means we will miss the visa appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning).  We told the guards about Imara's urgent case and they said we can come back in the morning to try and see if the bank will let us pay the fee on a Tuesday since she is an exceptional case.  We are going to the bank when they open at 8AM in hopes that they will accept and process Imara's visa fee and then get back to the U.S. Embassy for a 9AM appointment.

If this does not work, we will have to wait until Thursday for a visa appointment.  At that point, the likelihood of getting the exit letter from Congolese immigration before Christmas will be slim - and most Congolese offices close for 1-2 weeks starting at Christmas through the new year.  So, we're on the clock to get Imara's travel authorizations together as soon as possible.

Thank you to everyone who has helped work on Imara's case directly or indirectly and thank you for every prayer.  Our wish for Imara is that she can get to the awesome hospital waiting to give her the care she needs by Christmas!

So Strong

Imara is definitely a very strong little girl.

Her burns are doing better, however it appears that more of the burns with her mouth were inside her mouth instead of outside, but we need advanced equipment to assess esophageal involvement not available here.  Additionally, 4 of her teeth were knocked out.  The cerebral swelling appears to be affecting her optic nerves.  The bottom of her feet were also burned fairly badly.  She may have brachial plexus involvement with her right shoulder dislocation, which is preventing most of the use of her right hand.  It also probable that she has a spleen or liver injury due to fluid and blood in her abdomen.  Imara needs advanced treatment quickly for her brain, arm, and abdominal trauma to hopefully prevent long-term loss of function or death.

Despite all the pain Imara is in, she smiles and even dances a little!  She is sweet and responds appropriately to questions.  She is a tough one.

We are waiting on her passport at this point which should be ready on Wednesday.  At that point, we need the U.S. Embassy to issue her a medical visa and then Congolese immigration (DGM) to authorize her departure with what is called an exit letter.  We hope and pray each will be quick to get her the care she needs soon!

God is Good - Pray For a Visa

God is Good!!

CoxHealth in Springfield, Missouri has offered to cover all of Imara's medical care!!!  The physicians, administration, and leaders of CoxHealth have been absolutely amazing!!

Thank you to the hundreds of people trying to find medical care for Imara!!  We have had a handful of wonderful hospitals evaluating her case to see if they are able to provide for her.  We are beyond thankful for their kindness and willingness to help this little girl!

Now that we have Imara's medical care covered, we can proceed with working to get her a medical visa or humanitarian parole authorization.  We have the applications ready and are waiting on her passport, however the offices responsible for issuing these types of visas have been informed of her case.  Please pray for the U.S. government authorities to issue her the needed travel documents.

A Congolese physician made a house call for Imara and yesterday we found out that Imara also appears to have one or more fractures in her right arm, abdominal trauma, and the burns inside her mouth are fairly bad.  Please pray Imara's body can keep her alive until she can get advanced and specialized medical care unavailable to her in DRC due to the extent, complexity, and the number of serious traumas her body has faced.

The number of things that must come together to get Imara what she needs is overwhelming, but one by one they are coming together thanks to everyone chipping in to make the connections that are needed.  We still have a road to go, but we are a big step closer today. THANK YOU!  THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Imara Update

Thank you to everyone who is trying to help.  We are still needing a hospital to donate the care for Imara.  We have one hospital seriously considering providing her care, but we need prayers that this hospital will decide to say yes to Imara! (and very quickly)

In case this hospital cannot do it, we are still looking for a hospital who will take Imara's case and provide the care for free or greatly discounted. 

Again, thank you to everyone trying to make a connection for Imara to get her the medical care she needs right away!

We have had a U.S. Senator who has been to Congo himself offer to help support efforts to get Imara the emergent care she needs.  If there are any other Members of Congress that may be willing to help support Imara, that would be wonderful as well.

Additionally, several people would like clarification on whether she is “being adopted” or is eligible to be adopted.  The short answer to this is “No, she is not eligible to be adopted yet”.  The more lengthier answer is that we cannot legally pursue an adoption for her at this time because the full investigation has not been finished in DRC.  We do have a family who is wanting to act as a host family with open hearts toward adoption eventually if she is deemed fully eligible by both governments.  This is a very tricky area when we are talking about medical visas, etc., because they cannot be used to circumvent a legal and full adoption process – medicals visas are temporary in nature and not intended toward adoption.  We have to be fully transparent with both governments and honor the laws of each.  Once she is determined to be eligible for adoption in DRC (which we expect is likely) we would then start the actual process and be fully transparent with both governments.  This is likely to take several months to be determined, so we cannot wait on that to bring her to the US (or try to) at least on a temporary basis to get the care she will need to survive long term.  During the investigative process in DRC it is possible that an extended family member (who was not involved in the torture) could be found and be determined as an appropriate placement for her once she is healed – so everything hinges on the investigation in DRC, which takes time.  It is also vitally important that any family considering an adoption of a traumatized child be fully informed about the child’s medical history and prognosis, as well as psychological impacts that can be permanent.  The right family is out there for Imara – perhaps in DRC or perhaps in the US, but our job right now is to work toward her survival both short and long term.  As we move forward with trying to bring her to the US it is with the understanding that it could be a temporary juncture in her life and may not lead to adoption.  

Help For Imara

Thank you for all of the support for this little darling - we know she needs it right now.

An update on her condition:

- The burn on her leg in the pictures from yesterday is before she had surgery.  The yellow stuff is actually produced by the wound, not a cream.  The wound was infected and got worse to the point that she was going into shock in the middle of the night Thursday night/Friday morning at which time she was taken to a local small and poorly funded hospital.  The physician there decided to cut out the infection of the 2nd/3rd degree burn and sent her home.  The wound is now deeper and still infected over a wider area and now definitely needing a graft.

- Imara was taken to a much better hospital today and given an antibiotic and the wound on her leg was cleaned, but also sent back home.  The level of her injuries exceeds that of the resources and care available to her there in DRC.

- In addition to the severe burn wound on her leg, she also has burns on and in her mouth with a high likelihood of esophageal burns due to the candle and possible poison she was fed.  The esophageal burns are nearly impossible to treat in DRC due to the highly specialized equipment and staff required.  Depending on the severity of the burns, if not properly treated, she could lose her ability to swallow and eat which would most likely kill her.

- Her belly is distended more than you would typically see from malnutrition and parasitic infection which may be caused from internal bruising or other serious condition.

- She has double black eyes which means there is a possibility of a skull fracture which needs immediate attention and possible intervention to prevent brain damage, loss of sight or hearing, or other neurological loss.

The extent of Imara's condition is not fully known, but we do know that she is not able to receive the specialized and advanced care in DRC that she needs to survive this horrific situation that she did absolutely nothing to deserve.  In order to travel to the U.S. to get the care she needs, she will need a medical visa or humanitarian parole authorization.  This is not an easy feat.

In order to make this happen, Imara needs is a way to have her medical care covered so she will be eligible for either the medical visa or humanitarian parole.  Her care is estimated to cost $100,000.  Two things are needed to have her medical care covered:

1) A hospital that will agree to accept Imara for care and will provide free or low cost care.  We have a call into Bedouin Shrine in Muskogee, OK, but in case they cannot accept her and help cover the cost, we need to see about other options.  If you have a hospital that will consider her and offer charity or greatly discounted care, please let us know.  We have to move fast, so if you have a lead and can contact the hospital to see if they will seriously consider it, please do, and then send us the information after the hospital has initially stated they will evaluate her case.

2) We have to show that we have cash to cover her expenses.  We have one organization that can commit $10,000 of the potential $100,000 and the cost of transportation to and from the U.S.  We need other organizations that would join and commit to help cover the cost of Imara's care if she was granted a visa to come to the U.S. for urgent medical care.  We would need a letter on the organization's letterhead (hopefully by Monday evening) that says the organization will cover a particular dollar amount of Imara's medical care if she is granted a visa to come to the U.S.. The funding will be run through All Blessings International, Inc. which is a 501(c)3 and will be tax deductible.

Jenny Lotz has volunteered for ABI to help coordinate finding a way to get medical care covered.  Please send leads with hospitals to provide care and letters of support to her at lotzfam@att.net.

If you know someone that may be able to help Imara, please share her story with them.  She can use all the help she can get at this point.  Thank you!!!

Please continue to pray for Imara and that she will be able to get access to the care she needs to save her life.