Keeping the flame for missing boy

About 50 people gather in Greenwich to “Light the Night for Jaliek”

GREENWICH — Jaliek Rainwalker’s likeness was all around the room.

Dozens of photographs of the missing boy flashing his now-familiar smile in happier times hung in the Greenwich VFW to boost the spirits of the 50 people who congregated there Sunday to remember the 12-year-old who disappeared nearly two months ago.

“The idea is to keep this in the public eye and to let the public know we don’t want Jaliek forgotten,” said Elaine Person, the Altamont woman who watched Rainwalker when his adoptive parents needed a break.

So at 6:45 p.m. — the exact time on Nov. 1 that Person says she saw Rainwalker for the last time — the somber and emotional “Light the Night for Jaliek” ceremony opened with inspirational and holiday music.

The event culminated with the lighting of seven large flashlights to symbolize the search for Rainwalker. Participants spoke words like “understanding,” “family unity” and “peace” as they switched on the lights.

A Prayer for Jaliek

This prayer is from “Light the Night for Jaliek”

We gather here tonight to pray for Jaliek Rainwalker, a beautiful and innocent child who is lost and needs your help to be found

A child who gave his love unconditionally and sought nothing in return

A child who could light up a room

A child who has touched so many lives

A child who is worth remembering and looking for

We pray for the adopted family, the foster and respite families and friends of Jaliek that they may find peace

We pray for the many dedicated and caring law enforcement men and women that they may be guided by Jaliek’s loving spirit to wherever he is

We pray for truth

We pray for the thousands of strangers who have been praying for Jaliek

We pray that they will always have faith and peace and love for those who are lost

We ask your angels to watch over Jaliek and his siblings, Robin, Bevin, Rowan and Kianan

We ask your angels to love and protect them and keep them from harm and despair

Lord, we pray that you lead the authorities to him

Be a beacon unto those who walk in darkness

Keep him safe

Be with his family and give them courage and strength

We pray for all those who have come to know and love Jaliek that they may be comforted, that they will feel his love from wherever he is and keep him forever in their hearts

Amen

“AN INCONVENIENT CHILD”

“AN INCONVENIENT CHILD” 

A Storyof theLife and DisappearanceofJaliek Rainwalker 

This is a tale of a beautiful, intelligent and loving child,born to a drug-addicted mother on the floor of his grandmother’s kitchen, shuttled through a series of seven foster and adoptive homes,only to disappear at the young age of twelve in a mysteriouscase fraught with strange and inexplicable clues. 

This book will be co-written by Alex A. DeFazio, MFA and Stephen Gnojewski, MFA.  Mr. DeFazio is an author, playwright and screenwriter currently living in Jersey City, New Jersey and working in New York City.  He received a B.A. in English and Drama from SUNY Purchase and an M.F.A. in Playwriting from Columbia University. 

Mr. Gnojewski  is an author, screenwriter and playwright of Documentary Theatre who also is living in Jersey City, New Jersey and working in New York City.  He received an M.F.A. from the Nathan Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. 

A website for the book is being set-up.  The authors would like to invite family members, friends, aquaintances and members of the community to send stories and anecdotes about their relationship and contacts with Jaliek over the past 12 years.  It is hoped that these stories will be included in the book.

The site is www.aninconvenientchild.org.  

MEET THE AUTHOR NIGHT 

A special evening will be held within the new few weeks.  One or both of the authors will conduct a news conference, meet the public and begin a long series of interviews with people close to the case and with the community that has come to love and pray for Jaliek.

At Mr. DeFazio and Mr. Gnojewski’s request, all proceeds from the book will be used to provide post-adoptive services for Capital Region families and services to children who have aged-out of the foster care system. 

A special number has been set up for inquiries about the event, the authors and the book.  It is 1-888-SARATOGA (1-888-727-2864) and will be operational after January 1st.