I stood among the mass of people waiting to have time with the judge in the children’s court. I saw a man stare at us with intensity. Could he be the one? I looked at his nose, a typical Mayan one for sure, and then at Vanesa’s. I saw Gerber, who came to translate, evaluating the man’s face and then Vanesa’s. He nodded to me in affirmation. Lord, lead us in this audience. I want your will and plan for Vanesa’s future. She is a part of the Shadow of His Wings family, and it would be hard to let her go with people we don’t know. Life changes for Vanesa would be decided in a few hours.

Vanesa, her side pasted to my arm, kept shifting her feet. Her eyes roamed around the room, avoiding the man and the teenager with him. My mind couldn’t comprehend what it would feel like knowing that your whole world could completely change in one visit with the judge.

Fully aware that God had a plan for this thirteen-year-old, I continued sending up prayers. I knew many others on the prayer chain were doing the same, and I felt the confidence that God’s will would prevail.

I mentally reviewed the past events when Vanesa first arrived at Shadow of His Wings Orphanage two years before. Her cute face and sweet nature quickly opened many hearts to accept her into the Shadow family. After rescuing her from sexual abuse, the police brought her to the orphanage. No documents or birth certificate came with her. Vanesa confided that she didn’t remember anything about her family nor where they lived. She had only her name, and that could have been changed. Our social worker investigated the few clues available. Then she put Vanesa’s picture in the Prensa Libra newspaper and on TV, inquiring help from anybody who might recognize her. When the picture came out in the newspaper, we received a call from a man saying he might be her grandfather. Concerned about her going back into another abusive situation and in my protectiveness I said, “No way.” Why hadn’t he gone to the children’s court? Where had he been all this time?

“Sombra de Sus Alas,” the court secretary shouted.

My mind snapped back to our purpose with the court when I heard our name called. We entered the judge’s room. With Vanesa seated between Gerber and me, I saw the same man from the waiting room sit right across the table from me. With a sinking feeling, I saw what I didn’t want to see. The strong resemblance pointed in his favor. Lord, for her protection, give the judge the ability to make the right decision for our girl. She faces some great life changes.