A Miracle!

Tonight I am filled with emotion as I rejoice with millions of Missourians. Just a couple of hours ago, missing children Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby were found alive in suburban St. Louis! Ben was abducted four days ago and Shawn was kidnapped over four years ago. I haven't felt this much emotion in quite some time, and it's not because I'm a hormonal expectant mother. This story is personal for me.

You might remember that one of my clients, Bianca Piper, disappeared in March of 2005. For weeks, I spent time with the search and rescue teams and provided counseling for the family and volunteers. During that process, I had the opportunity to get to know Craig Akers, Shawn Hornbeck's dad. Since his son's disappearance in late 2002, Craig and his wife have devoted their lives to search and rescue missions.

Craig coordinated and led the teams that searched for Bianca. He was dedicated and knowledgeable like no one I've ever seen. As he interacted with Bianca's family, I could see the emotions of his own experience come to the surface. He expressed to me that he relived the loss of his son during every search operation. And although he had been through hell, Craig still had hope.

As a mother, I cannot imagine the agony of losing Liliana for four hours, let alone four years. It is my worst nightmare. Families of missing children suffer on so many levels, and God only knows what the children experience at the hands of their captors. After seeing the pain first hand, I will never forget what it looks like.

When I heard the news today, we were having dinner at El Nopal. I heard a woman at the table behind us say to her friends, "Did you hear? They found the boys--Ben Ownby and Shawn Hornbeck." I asked her if I heard her correctly and she confirmed it. I immediately erupted into tears. Before I knew it, I found myself sobbing uncontrollably in the middle of a crowded restaurant, with my husband and daughter looking on. I faintly remember hearing Wade explain to Liliana, "Mommy is crying because she is so happy."

I then experienced flooding waves of emotion..disbelief, relief, sadness, anger, gratitude and joy. I imagined the instant the parents heard the words, "We found your son." I saw them fall to their knees, clutching one another with trembling hands. Then I envisioned the moment each parent saw their child for the first time. I saw Craig hold Shawn in his arms after four long years. And I wept like a baby, right there in a crowd of people.

Even now, I cannot contain the tears as I consider what the boys and their families have been through. Although I try not to think about what those young men may have endured during their captivity, I annot help but speculate. That is where the sadness and anger creep in. Thankfully, however, they will have the opportunity to tell their stories, and the man who caused so much pain will face the consequences. So tonight, I wll do my best to focus on this joyous occasion and celebrate their homecoming.

I thank God that both boys were recovered and reunited with their loved ones. It is absolutely incredible that Ben and Shawn were found alive. It is rare that a missing person is located even six months after their disappearance, and four years is considered out of the question. It is obvious to me that the Lord's hand has orchestrated this glorious outcome. Praise God for this amazing miracle!

While I celebrate with the rest of our community, I also pray that Bianca and her family may experience a similar fate in the near future. I pray that Shannon (Bianca's mom) and Amber & Tiffany (her sisters) are strengthened and inspired by what happened today. Most importantly, I pray that Bianca is recovered soon.

May we all pray for the lost and rejoice for the found!