Posted: May 14, 2007 2:00 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time

Having just returned from a short family holiday where all of us traveled to Northern Arizona University to attend our daughter's graduation, a happy and proud event that my wife and I shared with our other three children, I signed on to HubPages this morning (Monday May 14, 2007) only to find Jimmy the Jock's hub about, Madeleine McCann, a 4 year old from Scotland who was abducted from a hotel room on May 3, 2007 in Portugal where her family was vacationing.

So, I am responding to Jimmy the Jock's appeal to help spread the word about the plight of this missing four year old in hopes of finding her. As a parent, I can think of no worse tragedy than losing a child. A kidnapping is doubly tragic as a parent does not know whether the child is alive or dead. There is hope that the child will be returned safely, which is good, but there is also the fear that at any moment that hope can be destroyed with news that the child has been found dead. Most of us, myself included, have been fortunate to have never experienced what Madeline's parents are going through at this time, but the mere thought of it happening to one of our own children is enough to give us a taste of the fear and dread that her parents must be experiencing.

While this tragedy has occurred to a Scots family in Portugal making it a regional, West European event, the Internet has helped to turn it into a world-wide search. As well it should, because the same technology that allows the media and bloggers to spread a story world-wide, and enables families to vacation abroad at affordable prices also enables criminals to practice their trade on a world-wide basis. No one knows how this child was abducted. There is some evidence of forced entry into the family's hotel room but that has been disputed by the resort management. There is also speculation that the child wandered out of the room on her own and was subsequently abducted on the street. While the abductor(s) were more than likely local, the possibility of outsiders being responsible exists. In his original hub, Jimmy the Jock says that one of the main suspects is a North American woman and in a new Hub, published as I write this, Jimmy the Jock, citing a Sky News (sister station to the American Fox News channel) report at 9:21 pm GMT (West European time) today (May 14, 2007) states that the home of a British man living in Portugal is being searched for clues to Madeline's whereabouts. The home, located a few hundred yards from the hotel where Madeleine and her family were staying on their vacation, has not yet yielded any clues as to Madeline's whereabouts and the man has not been formally arrested or charged.

While the police may be closing in with their investigation, there is as yet no news of Madeline or her location. It is very important that we continue to pray for her safe return and continue to spread the word about her. Jimmy the Jock, a loving parent with young children himself, is to be praised for his efforts in helping to spread the word about Madeline. Hopefully, in his next Hub he will be able to give us the good news that little Madeline McCann has be found, safe and unharmed, and has been returned to her parents. Until them we have to continue to help him by praying and helping him to spread the word.

Here are some additional links:

SunSeven's A Prayer for Madeline McCann

Jimmy the Jock's original hub Help Find Madeleine McCann

Angelaandterry's hub entitled Find Madeliene McCann

Kim's hub entitled Madeleine hunt

Madeleine Poster with picture of Madeleine which can be downloaded and distributed electronically and in print

May 8 article in the Guardian Online about the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine

May 14 article in the Australian Edition of Christianity Today about the Portuguese Pilgrims at Fatima including Madeleine in their prayers on the 90th anniversary of the first appearance of Our Lady at Fatima.