Missing student's parents persevere through prayer, community support

Published: 2007-10-18

BELTON, Mo. (CNS) -- A parent's worst nightmare is supposed to be the death of a child. But there is a far worse nightmare, according to Don and Donna Ross. Their son Jesse has been missing since Nov. 21, 2006. He disappeared after leaving a hotel in Chicago where he was attending a conference. "We pray for a sign, anything," Donna said. "We pray, 'If he is in heaven with you, that's not my first choice, but God, please give us a sign. Send me an e-mail, a phone call, something. We have to know that he's OK and with you.'" She said, "When you lose someone you love when they pass on, you grieve and then you move on with your life. We are nowhere. We are still stuck in that revolving door. We know nothing more than we knew that first day." As the months have passed, Don and Donna Ross, residents of Belton and members of St. Regis Parish in Kansas City, say they can't give up hope. They also have a son named Andy, who is older than Jesse.

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