A Mission to Rescue Missing and Kidnapped Children
Published: February 8, 2007
Maria Nicholas was seven months pregnant when her ten-month-old baby girl, AnnaMaria, was abducted by her estranged husband. He told Maria her baby would never return to the United States again. Years passed along with unsuccessful attempts by eleven organizations to rescue AnnaMaria. After almost five and one-half years, AnnaMaria was eventually rescued in Germany. Maria experienced the joy of finally embracing her daughter again.
AnnaMaria is just one example of the many children who have been rescued by the American Association for Lost Children. The AAFLC is a non-profit charity founded in 1987 by Mark Miller of Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
Miller wasn’t a Christian almost twenty years ago. Yet, Miller knew he wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. When he saw an advertisement for a missing child in the grocery store, the caption “Have you seen me” ? caught his eye… and his heart… Miller soon discovered there weren’t any organizations actually looking for the children.
Miller thought, “Boy, that’s strange. Somebody needs to be looking for them !”
So Mark took his life savings and started the American Association for Lost Children. During the process Miller’s life also changed for eternity !
“I started to seek after the Lord. I had a dream and it was scary. I realized if I was to pass at that time, I would end up in hell. It happened the second time that night … it was a double dream.”
A friend told him about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Miller was raised Catholic so that was all news to him ! He went to church, gave his life to God, and has been sold out ever since ! He then began to minister Jesus’ love to distraught parents and frightened children through the charity.
One woman from Romania called Miller for help in recovering her kidnapped children. Miller prayed with her over the phone and she eventually invited Jesus Christ into her heart. This joyous mother not only got her children back but her life was changed for eternity !
Volunteers often help Miller use creative tactics to recover children. Many of these children are taken by a non-custodial parent in a divorce situation and there’s often a felony charge involved. Sometimes the children have been brain washed and sexually abused.
Miller has gone all over the world to rescue kidnapped children. He has even been arrested in Mexico. Parents often turn for help to the American Association of Lost Children after attempts with police and detectives have failed. The charity relies on donations since Miller never charges the parents any fees. Since 1987, approximately 120 missing children have been rescued by the American Association of Lost Children at no cost to the parents.
Miller admits some days can be challenging for him financially and physically. He has slept on the office floor and sold M&Ms and lemonade trying to keep the charity’s doors open. There have even been times when he has lived on peanut butter sandwiches and 40 dollars a week. But his faith in God, his love for children, and his desire to help others has kept him going.
Miller says, “It’s something in me that drives me. I’m going to keep going ‘cause I’m going to help somebody and do the best I can and know that God will open the door to get the child back.”
Resource: American Association For Lost Children
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