Today, January 18, 2021, I am voluntarily surrendering myself to the U.S. Authorities by walking into the U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua.
Lisa Miller’s plan was thwarted by a holiday. She and Isabella (and a friend) arrived at the American Embassy in Managua only to learn it was closed due to Martin Luther King Jr Day.
They returned the next day and followed through with their plan.
The officials at the embassy just couldn’t see why she would turn herself in! “Why are you here?” they asked. “Why do you do this?” 🙂
This past Wednesday (January 27), Lisa finally returned to the US after leaving the country in 2009. (For more details about her case, see two links I’ve included at the end of this post.) What happens to her now in the American justice system remains to be seen.
Isabella turned 18 in April 2020 (as I recall). As an adult in her own right, she is free from the case. The embassy issued her a temporary US passport since she had no documents of that sort.
Here is a brief statement she wrote:
I, Isabella Ruth Miller, am grateful for the life that God has given me these past few years and rejoice in the blessings He has granted me. I am not willing to testify against Mama or anyone who has helped bless my life these past years. I am committed to continue to serve God in the days to come.
I am unclear if Isabella is also in the US now or if she stayed behind in Nicaragua for the time being.
I believe Lisa did the right thing to protect her daughter Isabella in the course of the last eleven years or so. I also believe she did the right thing in surrendering now that Isabella is of age. I commend her for that. Generally speaking, I think Christians should voluntarily surrender to authorities and face justice (or “justice,” if you will) in the country where they are charged with truly criminal activity.
Pray that Lisa and Isabella would have much grace, strength, humility, and wisdom. Pray that they would show the Spirit of Christ and the love of God. Wherever they are, may the Light in their “earthen vessels” shine forth to illuminate the darkness and those in it. May they stand strong in the faith.
Pray also for their comfort and peace in this absence from each other.
I do not have first-hand knowledge of them, but I trust my second- and third-hand source. 🙂
Background:
- Lisa Miller in Nicaragua (an August 2012 post about a March 2010 event)
- Petition for a Presidential Pardon (failed petition for a pardon from President Trump)