A Beautiful Beginning

Shortly after our staff meeting finished this morning Megan entered the Café kitchen breathless and trembling, having to take a deep breath before being able to speak.

After a few calls to a contact she’d received from a friend she was put in contact with an agent from IBESR. A lady Megan might consider an enemy, someone she’d battled against to shut down an orphanage over a year ago.

After calming down a bit she said, “I found her. I know where Sarah is.”

IBESR had placed Sarah in a psychiatric hospital because they couldn’t find any other place for her.

Megan informed her we knew of an organization who wanted to take her.

We were told by the agent that if we could get there by noon (it was 10:30) she would take us to where Sarah was.

Josh, Megan, Mark and I all quickly grabbed our things and headed to the house and then were off to Port, praying God would go before us clearing the way and get us there in record time, for all to go smoothly and that we really would be able to get Sarah. I think we were all a bit anxious, it seemed too good to be true. IBESR was actually willing to help us?

We arrived at IBESR just before noon and that’s when the nerves and anxiousness really hit me.

After waiting for a bit the agent finally came out began speaking to Megan, and then we waited some more. We waited at least an hour (or so it seemed) until, finally, the agent emerged with another man and was ready to head to the hospital.

As we pulled up to the hospital the agent got out and told us to wait. She went into the hospital and then came out, no Sarah, entering another small building. As the minutes ticked by (I’m sure it seemed a lot longer than it really was) I just prayed that they would release Sarah, that they would allow us to take her. The agent then exited the building, no Sarah, and re-entered the hospital.

The next thing we knew Sarah was walking out the building and down the stairs! Megan and I literally jumped out of the truck and ran to her!  She recognized us and immediately was headed toward the vehicle ready to go! She hugged Mark and jumped into Josh’s arms. I just wanted to touch her and hold her face in my hands.

The first thing I noticed were her wrists; the marks were clear evidence that she’d been restrained with ropes. It broke my heart as one of the fears I’d had walking away from her in the police station was confirmed. They’d had to restrain her some way.

Once we pulled out of the hospital the relief finally hit me. It had actually happened. God had led us to Sarah and He’d put her back in our arms. As we drove out of Port it really hit me. Redemption. God was redeeming Sarah’s story right before our eyes.

We drove, along with the two IBESR agents, to myLIFEspeaks an organization just west of Gressier where paperwork was done and Sarah joined the mLs family!

My heart is so happy. So thankful. So completely overwhelmed.

We’ve grieved over this little girl the past few days, crying together, praying together, sleeping restlessly as she never left our minds.

As it turns out our role in Sarah’s story wasn’t over.  Sarah’s story now has a beautiful ending, or rather, a beautiful beginning. 

Thank you for all of your prayers and support throughout the past few days. Keep praying for Sarah as she has a lot of healing ahead of her.