Wings of the Wind

Message received September 24th, 2016 @ 11:00 am Vienna time:

“Hi Chris. We did have a wonderful time with AMAZING people yesterday! We are going to church with some of them on Sunday. They have stolen my baby twice, so I will always be afraid they will come after us again. I will live with this anxiety every day until he is 18 years old. All I wish is that Caspian is safe with his mother. I enjoy every day with him but at the same time I’m afraid everyday is going to be the last day we will spend together. I don’t want him sent to kindergarten because I will always be afraid he won’t come home. But in Norway, if we don’t send them to kindergarten Barnevernet gets really worried so, I guess I have to.”

“Children in Barnevernet do not have it good. They become nobody’s children and they are moved around like they are a package. They lose all contact with their family. 😦 It is so sad how they treat children.”

“It is important to mention the feelings I’m sitting with after this tragedy. They will never go away.”

“And it was all a mistake. They haven’t even said that they are sorry. My boy and I have been through so much because of them.”
-Nadia Bekkelund

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I was fortunate to receive this message from Nadia today. Because of the content of the message and the pictures Nadia sent, you can see why I have mixed emotions.

It is wonderful to see a smiling mother with her only child. It is difficult to read most of the words Nadia sent.

What a blessing to know that Nadia will be in church with Caspian tomorrow and that she is surrounded by friends! Then there are the doubts and fears that Nadia expresses about her return to Norway.

Nadia makes a general statement about the Barnevernet, one borne out of experience. Then, she states that her bad experience “will never go away.”

It speaks volumes that the Barnevernet has not apologized to Nadia or the Hennum family. What could the reason for this be? Is Norway’s Barnevernet not willing to admit a huge mistake? In this case, it would be the only descent thing to do. Or maybe Norway’s Barnevernet doesn’t think it has made a mistake. This would be a tragedy, indeed. Is what some humble Norwegians have stated true? Is there a feeling of superiority among some Norwegians that allow such events to occur? Except for complete incompetence, the only other alternative that I can think of is that this wasn’t a “mistake.” Is it possible that Caspian was taken on purpose even though the Barnevernet knew there was no good reason? All of these possibilities are, of course, horrible. A more humane, less brutal, family-friendly CPS is needed in Norway.

Chris Reimers

The symposium that Nadia, Caspian, and Margaret Hennum participated in is at the last post on this blog. It has been edited to include mostly Nadia’s involvement in the symposium. If you start at the 9 minute mark, you will see most of it.

It is now over 80 days since Caspian was taken from his mother on June, 13th. Nadia was allowed to see her son on Thursday and Friday. Nadia’s request for the visitation hours she lost last week has not been answered. She has also received no answer on her appeal to have Caspian baptized. Nadia has asked about it several times.

The Barnevernet is, apparently, attempting to get any remaining visitation locations changed. It seems the BV wanted this week’s visits at their offices, but it worked out that Nadia was able to have the visits in the setting with which she and Caspian are familiar.

Nadia has been invited to the Save the Children Conference being held in Vienna, Austria on Friday, September 23rd. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about problems associated with the childcare system in Norway. Those planning to attend include members of the media, representatives of different churches, and involved politicians. Amy Jacobsen, the American mother who had her son Tyler stolen from her by Norway’s Barnevernet, is also planning to be there.

The important decision about Caspian’s future custody should be known within a week or so.

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Nadia’s thoughts:

“I’m still waiting for answers from the court. Caspian and I had a wonderful time.” (Nadia is referring to this week’s visitations.)

“I don’t know what happens if I win or if I lose. If I lose, will I only see him three times each year? If I win, will Barnevernet give him back or hold him back for me like they do in many cases where parents win?”

“He is getting so big and learning new things all the time, a smart little baby.”

“It (this situation) is not for the best of the child!”

My thoughts:

Eighty days is like years for a baby this age to be away from his mother. Most adults following this incredible story are probably like me; it seems like it’s been ages since Caspian was rudely interrupted from his nap to be removed from the safest place he had ever been.

These updates and pictures speak for themselves. In spite of all that these two have been through, there is a strong connection between Nadia and Caspian. They have been treated like numbers by a machine; there is no humanity in a system where important questions and requests are dealt with in such a haphazard way. A machine would be more predictable.

I have spoken to one of the good men organizing the event in Vienna on September 23rd. I will post all of the information about the event here. The plans include a live broadcast on the internet in English.

I think that Nadia will be taking Caspian with her to the conference in Vienna. At this point, Margaret Hennum, Nadia’s good friend, is also planning on attending the event in Austria. Nadia and Caspian should be reunited soon because of the fact that there is no good evidence that they should continue to be separated.

As information comes in to the Wings of the Wind, I will try and keep readers informed of the latest regarding Nadia’s and Caspian’s case.

I know that all of us need prayer. If you can remember to add Nadia and Caspian to your prayers, it will be appreciated. Nadia is very thankful that so many have prayed for her already.

God’s blessings…

Chris Reimers