THE POWER OF PRAYER

On our facebook group page this song was recently dedicated to Ayn. I would also like to extend that decication here to her family, Derek, Amie, Uncle Kim, Wyatt and Lyric.

                                         http://videos2view.net/2believe-JE.htm

Perhaps you will be inspired by this song and the beautiful voice of the child singing it, to join us in prayer adding your prayer in a comment. http://freedomforayn.blogspot.com/2011/12/call-to-prayer-for-ayn-van-dyk.html

NOT THE UPDATE WE HOPED FOR

Yesterday, until mid afternoon Pacific Time, many lingered on the facebook group page https://www.facebook.com/groups/justiceforayn/  waiting to hear what we all hoped for – the news that Ayn would soon be taken home where she should be.................... However, we were not going to get the news we had all prayed for. Here is Derek’s message to us last night.

We arrived early for the case conference which was set to begin at 10:45. It started a bit late, likely closer to 11. The meeting is in an informal setting at a round table where all parties are to discuss the situation as it stands, what the hang ups are and how we can move forward from here. Time is very short so all points are made in extreme brevity, I tried my best to outline some of my frustrations and concerns.

I did not walk away with any greater understanding of MCFD's position, though they were questioned about it many times. My understanding of the "conference" before entering was that it was my chance to finally get the judicial process to the point where I can argue my position before an unbiased judge. In that it was successful, there was alot of pressure to put off the trial and wait until after mediation. However, I was adamant that I wanted that opportunity.

It was very emotional for me, I cried several times, and tried to get them to see the harm they were doing to a beautiful girl and her loving family. My lawyer requested a brief recess towards the end to try to reduce my emotions, upon my return I did get them to agree to a trial. With that we set off to the court clerk to find some available dates.... well my lawyer did, I went outside where my emotions again poured out rather embarrassingly. A group member did happen to pop in and was right there to let me cry on their shoulder.

I then went in to sign off that I had received my dates (yet another pink slip); but this one was different it was the finishline, win or lose it will be the end. So here they are: Oct 23rd- pretrial, Dec 7th- Trial begins, Jan 30th 2013 second trial date, Jan 31st third, Feb 1st fourth, Feb 14th fifth, and finally Feb 15th completion (this could elongate mind you). So now finally we can see the end of the judicial process, a year away but we can see it. This does not mean that the ministerial process is over but that the oversight of the courts has reached its point where a trial is set to determine the justifiability of this.

I am meeting with the new SW on Wed, where I do hope to discern where this process is headed from here in terms of the ministry, I hope to continue where it had left off but as of yet I am still in limbo.

I do know that are going to begin drafting a counter proposal to offer me, but I have to wait weeks longer for that to complete, it is "hoped" that it could be done by Feb 24th, a week prior to my Formal mediation which is scheduled for March 2, I believe.

So tonight I ponder what to do and where to go from here, lots of possibilities lie before me and I am sorting through it all. Will be posting more and am hopeful that I'll get lots of input and advice from everyone.

 

BLOGGER'S NOTE: For the coming year Ayn and her family are going to need as much support as possible to do what needs to be done to ensure Ayn is returned home as soon as possible. Please show your support by joining our facebook support group https://www.facebook.com/groups/justiceforayn - just joining the group is an indication of your support. If you want to actively participate in the group as well, you will be warmly welcomed.

You could also show your support by commenting below which I am sure Derek will appreciate reading. Thank you.

THE LONG AWAITED CASE CONFERENCE WITH MCFD

On Monday January 23, 2012 Derek will finally have the opportunity to present to a Case Conference with MCFD who will hopefully outline their plan for Ayn's future care. This conference could have been held long ago, making much of the pain and anguish of the past 7+ months perhaps nonexistent.



In November, 2011Derek prepared a Public Information Press Release https://www.facebook.com/groups/justiceforayn/251604358246392/?notif_t=like#!/groups/justiceforayn/doc/215086771898151/  This was really the last update, as since then, there has been nothing to report other than Derek’s December  presentation of his Proposal for Ayn’s care that he was asked to prepare. To date he has had no response from MCFD concerning his proposal.



Derek recently spoke briefly about some of his recent frustrations:



"Ayn has now had 4 SW's in these now 7 months. The previous worker will not be returning and I have yet to speak to the new worker, have left some messages and really wanted to speak with them prior to Monday though that is dubious at best at this point. I have invited them to my house next Wednesday but do not know if they will indeed come. The entire fiasco around worker changes (3 in just over a month) has been incredibly frustrating and has clearly resulted in delays. Still no word on my proposal and I cannot imagine the task which lies before this new worker to get caught up on not just my file but all of the previous workers files."



Although this is Conference on January 23 is not held in a courtroom, a judge will be present and will begin by describing the function of the 1-hour Case Conference, his powers and limitations in this setting.



Derek will present a Case Conference Brief for the judge to read, including a 1 page timeline, nor more than 2 pages of facts, one page statement of defense, what he is requesting. The latter will ideally be Ayn’s immediate return home, but failing that, a request for future court dates to be established at this conference. It is unfathomable how it could take over seven months for Derek to have the first opportunity to be heard concerning what has happened to his daughter, then in a limited time of one hour.



The Case Conference Brief is an important document; it sets the stage for the conference and provides MCFD with a record of Derek’s position.


The judge begins by describing the function of the 1 hour Case Conference, his powers and limitations in this setting.


Dad/Mom's lawyers give their version of the overview of the case to the judge.


MCFD’s presentation will indicate their plans and make it known whether they are willing to bargain and mediate. If the latter is not an option they will be asked to present information to defend their actions.



If an agreement cannot be reached it will be necessary to discuss considerations for a future court trial: witness count and names, length of time required for the trial, discussion of court date and pre-trial date as well as a date of the judge’s appointment for the trial.



A child has been deprived of her basic human rights https://www.facebook.com/groups/justiceforayn/doc/161664610573701/  deprived from having contact with her father and brothers for over seven months. Now in just 1 hour it will be decided if she will return home to her loving family or if MCFD will continue this unjust abuse of a 10 year old child with autism.



The happiest and really only acceptable conclusion to this long awaited hour will be if Ayn is immediately returned home where the healing process can begin and she can continue to thrive as she had quite splendidly done for the first nine and a half years of her life. This family tree can then be completed and a family can get back to what they do best – loving and caring for each other.

                  Thank you to Victoria Ettinger who contiues to honor Ayn and her family with her creations.


Derek, Amie, Wyatt, Lyric and your extended family, we want you to know that you are in the daily thoughts of thousands who support you from around the world. Know you will be in our thoughts especially over the next few days as we pray for a positive outcome on January 23^rd.

A CALL TO PRAYER FOR AYN VAN DYK

Please join us as we gather here in prayer to ask for an abundance of blessings for all who are in charge of Ayn’s care. May the Lord’s love guide those who are responsible for making the decision that Ayn be taken home to her family as soon as possible.

When you come here to share a prayer would you invite a friend, who will then in turn invite a friend, each sharing a prayer. Let’s begin an ongoing prayer vigil that will extend around the globe until Ayn is home again.

A CALL FOR PRAYER FOR AYN VAN DYK

by Laurie Hatton

who inspires others to join her in prayer...........

I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in a loving God who cares about us and our pain. I know that many others have been praying for this situation since it unfolded, or since we became aware of this need. This document lists some things to pray about & gives you the opportunity to record your prayers in the comments section for this dear girl, her family, and the system that has removed her from her loving home. Here are a few things that I am praying for. I ask you to join in agreement with me for a miracle in this case:

Pray for Ayn – that she would be well cared for, and that God would spare her from the negative effects that often come with children being removed from their families. Ask that God would spare her from the many potential side effects of the drugs she is being given (against her parent’s wishes).

Pray that Ayn will come home very soon! The legal process is very lengthy & not designed to give parents the opportunity to challenge unnecessary removals in a timely manner, or for judges to rule in favor of a return to the parents until many months or years after the child has been taken. MCFD can make the decision today, and return Ayn. Pray God will soften the heart of the Director of MCFD who can make things right. Her 10th birthday is on December 14th & it would be wonderful if she could celebrate at home!

Pray for Derek Hoare (Ayn’s dad), Amie van Dyk (Ayn’s mom), Wyatt & Lyric (Ayn’s brothers), as well as her extended family (aunts & uncles etc), who love & miss her very much! Ask God to give them strength & wisdom to deal with this. Pray that they will experience and feel God’s presence and love.

Pray for Mary McNeil, the staff and social workers who work at MCFD in British Columbia, and at CPS or CAS organizations around the world. Pray that they would truly have the best interests of families and children at heart. Pray they will have good policies & procedures, and that they will be followed for the child’s well-being.

Pray that the proposal Derek has written & is planning to submit to MCFD today will be accepted. Pray that money will be raised to pay for a lawyer and/or expert witnesses to testify if this case actually goes to trial. Pray that a great lawyer with a heart will offer to do pro-bono work and help out.

Please feel free to add your prayers for Ayn & her family below in a comment, or to quote favorite Bible quotes that come to mind when you hear about Ayn or this call to prayer. Blessings upon you for taking the time to be informed about this situation, and doing what you can to help.

I know Matthew 18:20 (NIV) says

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

And James 5:16 (The Message) states

“The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.”

I invite anyone to record their prayers below in a comment.

Obviously you may pray directly to God on your own, or at your local place of worship. Many of us have been doing this for months. However, by typing our words & sharing them here, some may pray more who wouldn’t normally know what to pray.

I also hope people will share the link for this blog & invite others to join us. I feel there is power in coming together and sharing our petitions we are raising before God. It will be our way of praying with each other, and asking God to intervene for Ayn.