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The families listed on this page have made it to “the end of the rainbow”. Your sponsorship is most critical now, as their final agency, country, and travel fees are coming due. Your help will make such a huge difference! |
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Lindsey and Patrick have been married for 15 years and knew they always wanted to adopt. They began fostering soon after getting married and have continued to foster many kids, including their now adopted daughters. In 2020, they saw a little girls on Reece’s Rainbow and decided to no longer let finances stop them from adopting internationally. During the homestudy phase, that little girl was matched with another family. Even though their hearts were broken, they prayed and knew they needed to continue. After learning about the children with Down syndrome and likely outcomes they decided to adopt a little girl they called Liana. They now have a house full of girls, including their biological daughter, but felt they still had some love to give. This time, they will be bringing home their first BOY! They are so excited, but needs lots of prayers and help to make it happen. With international adoption costing $35,000+ they can’t do it without you! Any help to bring this sweet boy home is greatly appreciated.
Update: The Dispenza family will be bringing home TWO boys!!
The Dispenza family has a $2500 MATCHING GRANT!! When their grant reaches $3365, they’ll receive another $2500!
3/2/2023 — AWAITING TRIP ONE
Laci resides in Texas and has two dogs whom she adores. She is a Texas-certified early childhood special education teacher. She is certified in ESL, Special Education, and EC-6. She has been teaching in a special education setting for six years and has experience working with disabilities ranging from mild to severe. She is passionate about working with students with special needs. She began thinking about international adoption in 2021. She started researching ways to finance an international adoption. Upon finding Reece’s Rainbow, international adoption began to seem possible. She took a step of faith after 6 months of research and prayer. She has been matched with an older waiting child in Asia. She has been receiving 6 month reports while waiting to bring him home. She has fallen in love with every photo and video of him. She believes she has the skills and resources to raise a child with special needs and trauma. She has faced a lot of challenges and delays along the way but is making progress toward bringing her son home to Texas. She hopes she can travel to his country soon and loves learning everything she can about his home and language.
1/10/2023 — DOSSIER SUBMITTED
Adoption of a child with special needs has been on my heart for over 15 years. After reading an article about Reece’s Rainbow and how kids were dying every day in other countries, simply because they had Down Syndrome, I was convinced that adoption was the plan for me. I struggled to understand how it could be that kids who were so loving and kind to others could just be tossed aside and left. It pierced my heart from that day on, but my husband was simply never on the same page as me. For years, I mourned the loss of a dream that I thought God had for me, and tried to understand why it didn’t happen.
Fast forward a few years, and now is the time!! My life has had some big changes and our family is finally ready to welcome a new sibling! This child is so loved already, and will be joining our crazy, fun hectic home with a big brother and 2 big sisters who are beyond excited to have a little one back in the house! We are absolutely thrilled to be in process, and can’t wait to meet our newest addition!
1/10/2023 — DOSSIER SUBMITTED
IT’S OFFICIAL, I am gonna be a Mommy again!
Howdy from Texas, I have exciting news to share with ya’ll- I am matched/approved for 2 kids. You read that right, yes, 2. After a very bumpy road and being rejected by the first match we have a set of happy campers that all want the same thing. Yee-haw!!
These sweet boys are 9 and 12. They have been waiting for 4 years and want to be adopted together. They are survivors of trauma and neglect. We met each other via zoom, and after some awkward moments we shared a few smiles and I was able to show them their new pets too. Leo and Felix LOVE soccer and made sure to ask if they’d be able to play soccer here. Their favorite soccer players are Messi and Ronoldo.
Even though we are matched and have met online, we still have a long way to go.
I am expecting to travel very soon in the next month or 2. There are 2 trips required, and the children can come home at the end of the second trip. I am so excited and also nervous. I have been applying for grants to help the boys get out of the orphanage and come home to their forever family. Please help Leo and Felix come home and make a donation to the FSP today. You’ll be forever changing the life of 2 kids, and making the world a better place at the same time. Good luck for them, good karma for you. What better way to “double dip?’ 😉
**It’s a tax-deductible donation- RR is a 501C3.**
Thanks for your support. All my love, Sarah.
P.S. Leo and Felix say thank you too.
The Morgan family has a $2500 MATCHING GRANT!! When their grant reaches $4182, they’ll receive another $2500!
2/23/2023 — OFFICIALLY MATCHED
Steven and Andrea are growing their family with adoption. Married on March 12, 2011, Steven and Andrea decided to pursue adoption to grow their family due to fertility issues. The Winner’s adopted their son five years ago from China and now they are adding one more to their family, this time from Bulgaria. Originally planning to adopt again from China, those plans were derailed with China not opening the adoption program back up. After waiting a few months the Winner’s decided to go with Bulgaria.
Adoption is a long process and not without its challenges. From paperwork, finances, and making hard choices. There are many waiting kids who all need loving family’s and out of the lists the Winner’s have identified a child on and are excited to be taking the next steps to be officially matched.
The Winner’s son Samuel is excited about having a sibling and can’t wait to travel and teach his new sibling everything he knows.
With the homestudy and dossier done and translated the process should be relatively quick. The Winner’s will have 2 trips, the second one being pickup. They estimate that their second trip will take place some time in the summer. Great time to travel but expensive. They welcome donations to help them bring their son home.
12/1/2022 — DOSSIER COMPLETE
The Pettigrew’s are a family of five, soon to grow to seven with the addition of a sibling group of older boys with special needs. We believe strongly in providing a supportive environment for our family so they can excel and experience a fulfilling life. Our three children are waiting in anticipation to meet their new siblings. We are excited to go on this journey once again.
The Pettigrew’s would welcome your support during this time of growth for their family, as we expect to travel soon to meet our boys.
2/23/2023 — DOSSIER SUBMITTED
Residing in the state of North Dakota, Bill and Raelynn, along with their three boys John (8), James (6), and Reid (3), hope to welcome home sweet Melly. Their adoption journey started as conversations during their dating years, and the desire to grow their family through adoption remained on their hearts years later.
In 2018 while pregnant with their third child, Raelynn really began to look into adoption. At first the idea was to pursue domestic newborn adoption, but the Schimetz family quickly became aware of the immense need of children born with special needs. Providentially, Raelynn aligned paths with someone who adopted children with special needs abroad and shortly after found Reece’s Rainbow. Knowing that the time wasn’t quite right to adopt, Raelynn advocated and raised funds for children on RR and patiently waited until it was time. In March of 2022, Bill and Raelynn agreed that the time was right, and just a week later the couple saw the sweetest picture of a little girl on RR.
The couple is fully trusting in His provision and timing in the adoption process, and are hopeful to welcome Melly into their home. Videos of Melly show her having the sweetest little demeanor, full of determination and adorableness. The family feels that Melly is an absolute treasure and would be beyond grateful to be able to call her their own.
When talking about his purpose in life and the role he is meant to fill, Bill will tell you it’s to be a father. Likewise, Raelynn is overjoyed by her role as a mother. She can’t think of anything better than the blessing of raising their children up in the way in which they should go. The family is so grateful to be on this path and marveling at the Lord’s hand leading them on this journey.
Bill and Raelynn have been married for 10 years, together for 14, and homeschool their children. They thank you for any support, whether it be prayer, financial, or encouragement.
1/2/2023 — USCIS APPROVED & DOSSIER EN ROUTE
Meet the Hymas family! Curtis and Desiree married young 16 years ago and have never looked back! They knew they had something special and envisioned a simple life of love, sacrifice, faith and adventure. Five biological kids later, they recognized their passion for being parents, creating memories and raising a close-knit family with the same values.
One of Desiree’s most formative experiences growing up was having her aunt Vickie live with her family. Vickie had Down Syndrome and brought unconditional love and happiness everywhere she went. Over the years, Desiree spent time working with and befriending those with special needs—associations which have brought her increased meaning and joy as a mother. Upon learning that children with Down Syndrome are consigned to orphanages around the world, the Hymas family immediately felt the need to answer the call to open their home.
After many months of fasting, prayer and emotional experiences together, the Hymas family found a 3-year-old boy from Kyrgyzstan and felt an instant connection. After looking up Kyrgyzstan on a map, they found out it’s one of the most expensive countries for adoption. Already frustrated with the length of time international adoption requires and the amounts of money due up front, the Hymases are doing their part to act quickly to avoid unnecessary financial delays in bringing their new addition home.
It will require miracles and push the family way outside its comfort zone, so all the support received from family, friends and the global community of those desiring to make a difference is eternally appreciated!
12/19/2022 — DOSSIER SUBMITTED
The Marsh family is so excited to ONCE AGAIN be growing their family through adoption!
Shannon and Jay both have a long history in special needs adoption. Shannon previously adopted her two daughters as a single mom. Both Chelsea and Sony were previously advocated for by Reece’s Rainbow. Jay himself was adopted by his step-father and has a sister with special needs who was also adopted. When Shannon and Jay started dating, Shannon had no idea that Jay himself had a history of adoption. As the relationship grew, it became very clear Jay’s heart and experiences with special needs adoption aligned with Shannon’s, something that was even written into his wedding vows. Now as husband wife, they are thrilled to be able to adopt together and grow their family.
The Marshes are currently parents to Alex, Sony, and Chelsea and have just completed the adoption of two teen boys from Eastern Europe. The family was adopting three teens, but the girl they were adopting became unavailable for adoption at the very end of the adoption process. Just after the boys passed court and legally became the Marshes sons, the family was made aware of a precious girl about to age out. The Marshes had already been prepared to bring home a teen daughter and had a lot of necessary paperwork in place to be able to jump very quickly. And so they did. They are overjoyed to announce they are working on bringing a daughter home to their family.
This leap of faith required moving some mountains in a matter of literal days to ensure the child would be safe from aging out of adoption. Now it’s all hands on deck to do all they can to bring her home as soon as possible. The Marshes are kicking off her adoption while preparing to travel to bring their new sons home. The Marshes could use any help possible to make this all happen swiftly for this sweet girl. Older child adoption has been at the heart of the family and everyone is excited about their new sister coming home.
12/9/2022 — DOSSIER EN ROUTE; AWAITING I800 APPROVAL
Marnie has received a $5000 Older Child Grant from Reece’s Rainbow!
Dustin and Marlaina are happy to be working on their third international adoption. Dustin and Marlaina have been married for 19 years and have three children. Imani, age 13, was born in Tanzania and was adopted while Dustin and Marlaina were working and volunteering in Tanzania for six years. Cohen is ten and loves soccer and fishing. Their daughter Ruby is six and was adopted from China in 2018 and has Down Syndrome. While in country for Ruby’s adoption, Dustin and Marlaina had a sense that there was someone else waiting and they would be back again one day.
When Dustin and Marlaina saw Rosalia’s picture through an advocacy post on social media, their hearts were drawn to her. It seemed crazy to others to begin an international adoption in the middle of the Covid pandemic, but they knew they had to be faithful to what God was placing in their hearts.
The whole Harper family is excited to add Rosalia to their home. The love and bond the siblings share is very special and they are excited to add a new sister to the bunch.
Dustin works as a regional sales manager for a company while Marlaina works from home teaching fifth grade to virtual public-school students. Dustin and Marlaina volunteer and advocate for their church’s adoption and foster care ministry. The family loves spending time together camping, kayaking, and hiking in North Georgia. Dustin and Marlaina are so thankful for how God has used others in their family’s journey and has been faithful to meet their needs.
7/22/2022 — DOSSIER SUBMITTED in OCT 2021
Brian and Julie Swegle are the parents of 7. After raising their 6 birth children, they decided that they were still young enough and brave enough to add more children to their family through adoption. Because Julie is a teacher for the visually impaired at a school for the deaf and the blind, they felt particularly equipped to parent children who are blind. So, 1.5 years ago they welcomed a daughter from China (who is deafblind) to their family. She was such a joyful addition to the family that they decided to grow their family through adoption for a second time.
Through a series of seemingly well-orchestrated circumstances, Madeline and her need for a family to adopt her immediately came to the attention of the Swegle family. When they read Madeline’s story they fell in love with her and realized how well she would fit into their growing family. Brian and Julie are hoping to bring Madeline home as quickly as possible. They are so grateful for the opportunity to be Madeline’s parents and for all those who are joining them in helping Madeline. Thank you for joining the Swegle family on their journey to Madeline!
11/22/2021 — DOSSIER LOGGED IN
Hi! We are the Ray Family. We have been blessed with 3 bio kids, aged 16, 13, and 10, but we have felt a calling that our family is not quite complete. For a while, we were a foster care home, and while we learned a lot and were blessed by all the kids that came in and out of our home, our heart has been captivated by international special needs adoption.
We have always wanted to adopt since we married 17 years ago, and we are now finally settled down in lovely Lawrence, KS and have purchased a home of our very own. A home with room for one more!
Kevin is a 10 year veteran of the United States Coast Guard, and Emily is a teacher certified in ELL/SPED/Social Studies. Emily has had wonderful experiences working with students with Down Syndrome (and a wide range of other disabilities) who are also English Language learners in her career as a teacher, and feels a special affinity for children with special needs.
We have been following Reece’s Rainbow for many years, dreaming of the time when it would be our turn to travel to pick up our new daughter! We hope to adopt an older girl with Down Syndrome from Asia.
While the financial obstacles of adoption seem huge, we know that these children belong in families, not in institutions, and can’t wait to bring our new daughter home! Thank you for considering partnering with us by donating and sharing our story. Every little bit gets us a little bit closer to bringing our daughter home from the orphanage. With gratitude, the Rays
3/9/2022 — DOSSIER RECEIVED
Twenty years ago, Elijah and Tiffany Jackson fell in love. Two years later, they got married and built a home on the century-old family farm. They started a family, having two wonderful little boys fairly close together. Five years later they were blessed with a little girl with Down syndrome, and oh, how her brothers loved her!! It didn’t take any of them very long to realize Down syndrome was not something to fear or avoid, but something to celebrate and cherish! The thought had come to them while their little girl was still a baby that they should think about adopting a child with Down syndrome, so they checked Reece’s Rainbow here and there, but didn’t know how to take the first steps of such a big journey! So, for a time, the idea was forgotten. 10 years later, Heavenly Father made it very obvious that it was still in His plan for the Jackson’s to add to their family through adoption! With the help of a good friend, they got right to work. They are so excited and ready to have little sister in their home and to be in their family forever!
10/13/2021 — TA RECEIVED in JANUARY 2020; AWAITING TRAVEL
Matching Grant through RODS Racing has been met!
Another Journey!! Welcome to our new addition, our 3rd child, Ethan Paul.
William and Catrina are the parents of two, 7 and 8 years old. William and Catrina know each other for long time and met again in 2006. They went out on date in 2006 and marriage in 2008! They used live in New Jersey but moved to Wilmington Delaware. Their children are from China, and Deaf like their parents! Ethan Paul is Deaf also. They’re excited to welcome a little boy who has no family of his own. God gave them blessings to adopt another child, and to give their children best life and loving by the family and support!
7/29/2020 — AWAITING LOA
Susan knew that one day she would build her family through adoption after watching a 20/20 episode on an orphanage in Romania back when was she was 11 years old. Susan grew up with a sister that is 13 years older than her and always longed to have a large family. Grant was raised in a larger family and knew that he wanted a large family of his own. Susan shared her passion for adoption when she first started dating Grant. When Grant and Susan got married they came into the relationship with two biological children each making them a blended family.
They have now been through the international adoption process twice. Their first adoption was their son Soo Min who was adopted from South Korea in 2008 when he was 3 ½ years old. Soo Min has a form of primordial dwarfism, failure to thrive, and PDA. He is doing amazingly well, thriving, and bringing our family so much joy. Grant and Susan started their last adoption in 2014 with hopes to bring home their daughter, Eden, from Ghana. They traveled there, had her in their care for two weeks and even passed court. What they did not know was that everything was falsified information and she was never legally adoptable. To say they were all heartbroken was an understatement. One month after losing Eden, Susan became pregnant with their son Hudson. It is amazing the way God works.
This decision to adopt again wasn’t taken lightly. The decision this time around had many things to consider and time needing to heal from the failed adoption in 2015. Knowing and understanding the permanence of adoption is why the last time was so painful: Eden is still somewhat part of the family, and the reason the Lee children always say there’s eight children in the family. The Lee family started to pray about adoption again and researched programs that have a long history of success. This is what led them to Asia this time. Susan would lay in bed for hours scrolling through Reese’s rainbow looking at children waiting to be adopted. When Susan saw Alisa, she knew she was her daughter. She went back and forth between many kids and something was calling the Lee family to Alisa. They have a current Home-Study, have submitted their I-800A, and are compiling their dossier paperwork.
9/28/2020 — AWAITING LOA
Jacob and Jacqueline met in 2000 at a Spirituality Retreat in the Pocono’s. They had a traditional courtship and wrote letters for the first many months of dating. They were both clear that they wanted to have a family someday. Jacqueline was called to work with adults with developmental delays which she has been doing for over 23 years. Jacob is both an artist and an Activities Coordinator for an agency supporting adults with developmental delays.
Once it was clear that they were ready to start a family, Jacqueline knew in her heart that she was meant to be a stay at home mother. They didn’t know how they would be able to do that as they depended on 2 incomes just to get by. They decided to pray about it. A prayer that has seen them through so many times.
“Dear God, Show me Your will, Give me direction, and please make it obvious!” They prayed that prayer and literally the next work day, Jacqueline noticed her co-worker looked really sad. Jacqueline asked if there was any way she could help. Her co-worker replied with her head in her hand, “Only if you have a place in your home for my client to sleep tonight for an emergency placement!” Jacqueline knew at that moment that was something she could offer. She called Jacob and he agreed. That was 12 years ago. What was going to be one overnight turned into a lasting, meant to be situation. It is considered adult foster care here in Vermont. The tax free stipend allowed Jacqueline to work from home by supporting a lovely woman with a developmental delay, while also being a stay at home mom.
When their first child was born they found out that he had a rare medical condition. They did everything they could to offer their child all the care he needed. It was a very challenging beginning. Their faith in God carried them through. Though they had a 50/50 chance of passing this gene on with another pregnancy, they loved parenting so much and truly felt called to have another baby. This time, a baby girl. Their children are now 8 and 10 years old and are best friends. Jacqueline homeschools the children and they have welcomed another woman with developmental delay into their home 6 years ago. Supporting and volunteering with Special Olympics is a big part of this families activities.
The support group they are involved with posted a child who needed to be adopted. Jacqueline showed Jacob, and the next morning Jacqueline called the listing adoption agency. They are now officially matched with Luke. Everything seems to be moving at lightning speed. Luke turns 13 this February. The family is working very hard every day to prepare for welcoming a new child to their family.
3/31/2021 — AWAITING LOA (9/2/20)
Luke has received a $5,000 Older Child Grant.
Phil and Maggie have been married for 10 years and have been blessed with 5 beautiful children, ages 9, 7, 6, 4, and 3. Phil is a writer and works from home. Maggie homeschools the children and the whole family gets to spend most of their time together, which is something they do not take for granted.
Maggie felt drawn toward adoption from a young age and, through experience with family members and through volunteering at a local organization that employs those with special needs, she developed a special love for those with Down syndrome. Phil has not always felt called to adoption, but Maggie asked him to pray about the possibility of adopting. Several years later, after finding out that his grandfather was adopted, Phil’s heart opened and he was on board. They both felt called to international adoption from the start and, through prayer and various circumstances, they discerned that God was leading them toward an Asian adoption.
There were three little boys that they felt drawn to during the referral process. Two of these boys had families hoping to adopt them once their home studies were approved, which gave Phil and Maggie peace about pursuing the third little boy. Something about his picture really grabbed their hearts and they were so excited that he might become a part of their family.
After a roller coaster of twists and turns and many months delay, they finally received pre-approval to adopt Chip. Their other children fell in love with him instantly and already consider him a part of the family. The 3-year-old loves to pray for “Chippy” and they can’t wait until they get to meet him face to face, as they feel like he has been in their hearts forever.
They feel so blessed to have been called to the beautiful journey of adoption. Financial hardships have been many throughout the process, but they are trusting that the Lord will provide for them as He always has. Thank you to anyone willing to assist in bringing their new son home! May God Bless you!
10/13/2020 — DOSSIER in COUNTRY
We are Carrie and Ken Woods, parents of six children, four adopted from Asia and two biological. We met in high school and have been married for almost 34 years. Our children range in ages from 8 to 31 and we are also excited to soon be grandparents. We started our first adoption in 2000 and over the years we have been fortunate to grow our family one at a time. Our last adoption in 2015 started with looking at several files and came down to two beautiful girls. It was a difficult decision but we are thankful that we brought our new daughter home when we did because she has needed significant medical care over the last 5 years. Fate would have it that the file for the other little girl came to our attention at the end of last year and we felt we were in a place to move forward and bring her home. She has always been in our hearts and now she will be in our lives and loving home.
5/2/2022 — DOSSIER SUBMITTED in OCT 2020
Rodney and Alisha Keim live in Atkinson, Nebraska with their children Josiah, Selah, Jeremiah, and Tallulah. Jeremiah was adopted from Thailand in 2015 and Tallulah from Asia in 2019. The family was first matched with Tallulah through her advocacy page at Reece’s Rainbow. In one of the photos, she was pictured with another little boy who also captured their hearts. Had it been possible to adopt them together, that would have been their desire. The family met Eli while in country finalizing the adoption of Tallulah in May of 2019.
Their “happy family” picture was taken at the orphanage. Just after the picture was taken, the Keim family left the orphanage with Tallulah. Just before the photo was taken, Eli was taken back to join the other kids without families, bawling. The Keim family longs for the day they can see him again, the day his friend will become his sister. They pray he will come to understand how much he was loved that day and that he holds a piece of their broken hearts in his.
The last piece of paperwork the family will need in order to submit their dossier has been sitting on a desk in the USCIS office since March (just before immigration biometrics offices shut down due to the COVID-19 Pandemic). The family asks for your prayer: perhaps the God who moves mountains can push that little piece of paper on through soon. They also ask you to consider giving a donation to help them bring Eli home! Rodney and Alisha are each self-employed by small businesses that have been impacted by the Coronavirus shutdowns. God continues to provide graciously for their every need… perhaps you are one way he will provide for the adoption of Eli!
10/1/2020 — DOSSIER SUBMITTED 9/2
*** Elijah received a $5,000 Grant! ***
Brandon and Jessica have been happily married for 13 years and reside in a small West Texas with their four sweet children Beckett (11), Blaire (9), Brooklynn (8), and Beau (3). They have always believed that adoption would be a part of their family story. Their family is very excited to have a new sibling and pray/talk about them on a daily basis.
The cost and process of international adoption can be intimidating but they know this is where God is calling their family and will provide. If you feel called to support them in their adoption journey your prayers and donations would be greatly cherished! Thank you for your time, consideration, and prayers as they pursue their sweet child in China.
10/13/2021 — AWAITING TRAVEL APPROVAL
Lindsay, Noel and their two kids plus a multitude of scaly, feathery and furry members call the Mile High state home. Together they do all things outdoors and enjoy traveling, especially to Texas, Kansas and Florida to visit extended family. Their biggest adventure yet will be traveling to Asia to bring their little girl HOME. They cannot wait to love, honor and celebrate her! The Applebaugh Garza family truly and fully embraces the unique love, beauty and challenges that come with raising a child with different abilities. Their experience and passion began with Lindsay’s brother and aunt who influenced her to become a Special Education teacher. These experiences have continued as Noel and Lindsay raise their son who is on the Autism spectrum and now with their soon-to-be daughter who was born with an extra chromosome. They are thrilled to welcome their new daughter and support her in becoming her best, most happy and healthy self!
12/12/2020 — DOSSIER SUBMITTED
Meet the Carper family from central Pennsylvania. Jason and Candid met the 2nd day of their high school senior year in 2001 and have been together ever since. Jason and Candid were married after dating almost 4 years and Candid competed nursing school. They have 2 boys, Colton who is 11 and Jackson who is 6. They also have 2 labrador retrievers named Gracin and Hope and a cat named Callie. The Carper family enjoys camping with family and spending time together playing outside.
From a very young age, Candid could see people’s ability not their disability and has always been drawn to helping people. In 2007, she began researching adoption, but the timing was not right. She attended nursing school and worked in a long-term care facility for the first few years but felt called to pediatric nursing. She then went to work for an agency that provided care in children’s homes with special needs. After working 7 years for the agency she was blessed with their second son, however he would require a short-term NICU stay. She took time off to help him grow. When she returned to work, she started a new job as a school nurse at their local school district but always felt the call to return to special needs nursing. Candid returned to the pediatric home care and remains there taking care of children with multiple special needs. She has always felt the call from God to adopt but the timing was not right for their family due to caring for Jason’s grandmother for 7 years as well as 2 children.
Jason is the main family provider. He works very hard to be sure that his family is taken care of. Growing up with his grandparents and working on the family farm taught him many skills in life. Jason knows what unconditional love is and is looking forward to a new journey with a daughter.
Colton and Jackson both helped to care for their great-grandmother and showed great compassion in her care. They helped prepare her meals, attend medical appointments and hold her hand to guide her as she was blind. Both boys have been recognized in their school for helping others and having a loving heart. They are looking forward to a sister and being her protector.
In 2019, the call from God became greater and Candid began researching adoption again. She began praying for her family and for their future daughter. In July of 2019 she came across an advocacy post of a little girl with down syndrome. She then began having dreams of her and she just knew that she was who God had placed on her heart for her family to adopt. The Carper family began praying about adoption and in October they submitted their application to bring home a precious little girl.
They are now home study approved and have sent in their LOI and I-800A forms. Please pray for their family and little girl as they are excited to bring her home and become a family of 5.
1/5/2021 — DOSSIER SUBMITTED
Justine has received a $5,000 Older Child Grant.
Meet the Houston family made up of Wesley, Rachael and their dog Kyba! Wes and Rach met at an elementary school play of Frog and Toad, it was true love at first sight! They share a passion for music, art, exploration, the outdoors, and family. Rachael, a teacher for 10 years and now administrator, has a passion for children and a great deal of experience with children with physical, mental, and emotional special needs. Wesley is the laid back and go with the flow kind of guy. He works as an insurance adjuster by day and a recreational ultimate frisbee player by night. They are an energetic couple who loves to tackle challenges as a team!
Not too long after getting married Wesley and Rachael found out they would not be able to have biological children of their own. This was when Rachael shared that as a young teenager she felt the impression that she was going to adopt one day. At the time it seemed strange because that was not the phase of life she was even really thinking about. Although the experience was long in the past it had always stayed with her. After many hours of researching, and researching, and researching some more they made the decision to move forward with international adoption. They both love children and are egger to become parents and share their love with a child!
Darcy Joy completely stole their hearts as soon as they saw her bio! The more they learned about her the more they fell in love. Their soon to be daughter was diagnosed with postoperative lumbar spinal meningocele, also known as Spina Bifida. She is unable to walk but that doesn’t slow her down one bit. She is a favorite in the orphanage as stated by her nannies and she is a big time favorite by her soon to be family. The Houston’s feel extremely blessed to be on this journey to building their forever family!
4/13/2021 — DOSSIER LOGGED IN on 3/8
The Marshall Family is adopting again! 2.5 years ago the Marshall’s welcomed Ping (Pepper on RR) and Liam into their family and went from a family of 4 to a family of 6. One year after bringing Ping and Liam home, Laura saw an advocacy post for a little boy. He was so tiny and had the most piercing eyes she had ever seen. His file indicated many medical issues and he had Down Syndrome just like Ping and Liam. The Marshall’s fell in love with him and rushed to get him home. Due to his needs he was medically expedited and came home January 25, 2019. It has been a busy year for the Marshall family and a year of great growth; physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
The Marshall Family now consists of Billy and Laura who have been married for almost 14 years, Tessa Grace 16 years old, Bella Charity 12 years old, Ping Joy 10 years old, Liam Worth 6 years old, and Asa Courage 4 years old. Recently, Laura and Billy felt the familiar tug towards adoption and discovered one of the little girls they have loved for a while is still waiting. They made some inquiries and decided she will be the next Marshall, Ember Faith “Emmy”. The Marshall’s are hoping to bring her home by the end of 2020 which will be 4 adoptions in 3.5 years! They are stepping out in faith that God will provide funding to help bring their daughter home where she will receive medical attention, nutrition, and LOVE! Thank you for joining the Marshall’s on their journey and supporting them with your prayers and donations.
4/6/2021 — DOSSIER COMPLETE
We are James and Kim Shepard. We are two passionate, goofy, and adventurous cat parents who are seeking to grow our awesome family through international adoption. We both work for the same agent as community-based therapists for individuals with disabilities and mental health dual diagnoses. We both have a huge heart for individuals with disabilities and are fervent advocates for acceptance and inclusion, which started when we were young and grew into our professional lives. We seek to continue this mission through our personal family lives and feel a huge calling to establish a home where children with disabilities are given the highest quality of life and the love that they deserve. This mission has really grown and developed as God called us towards international adoption of a child with Down Syndrome in 2021, while we were looking through all the wonderful children in need of loving homes on the Reece’s Rainbow website. We recently purchased a home in Indiana, where we care for our four cats and bearded dragon, explore our love of foods from all different cultures in our bright orange kitchen, and develop James’s growing photography business. We are so excited to welcome our future child into our wonderful and exciting lives.
2/8/2023 — AWAITING TRIP ONE
Charsie and Micheal have been married 8 years and together for over 11. They have dedicated their life to serving others. Micheal works child welfare for the State of Michigan and Charsie is a Family Nurse Practitioner currently working in Hospice. They have always been open to the idea of a family through adoption and have answered the calling to become mom and dad.
A couple years ago Charsie came across Reece’s Rainbow on Facebook and identified so many children she could pray for. One day, a child “spoke” to her heart, and she began praying this child would receive a family. Over time, she felt a pull to this child and decided to just causally mention this to Micheal. Of course, the response was “let’s pray about it” and go from there. Throughout this time, they both prayed and left it at that. After nine months, God spoke to them, knowing this was his plan, they took a step-in obedience and started the adoption process.
Charsie and Micheal are committed to welcoming a child into their family with love and understanding. We don’t know all the how’s and why’s but know God has been faithful. If he has called us to be parents, he will equip us for the work. Charsie and Micheal are aware of the many miracles that will occur to bring home their child and are thankful for your prayers and financial support.
5/16/2022 — USCIS APPROVED
Meet the Newsoms! The Newsom family is originally from Texas but moved to East Tennessee a little over two years ago. They love living in the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains and exploring this beautiful part of the United States. Husband & father, Cass Newsom, was in the military for 8 years in both the Marine Corps and the Texas Army National Guard. Wife and mother, Kristin Newsom, was a public school teacher for five years before becoming a stay at home/homeschool mom. They have three biological daughters aged seven, four, and one.
They always talked about fostering or adopting. After watching many friends foster and adopt, they decided that international adoption was best for their family. At the same time, they came across two sisters listed on Reece’s Rainbow. While still contemplating and researching the decision to commit, Kristin came across a post by Keshia Melton containing the girls pictures. It was just the encouragement they needed!
Cass went on several mission trips as a teen when he was first introduced to special needs orphans. Kristin worked with middle school and high school students in both rural and inner city areas. Her last year of teaching, she switched to special education. Through challenges within their own household, they saw parenting through a different perspective.
These experiences have afforded them the ability to work with children from different backgrounds with unique needs. They believe that every child has value and is made and loved by God. While they do not know the extent of their challenges & capabilities, they do know that they need a family to love and take care of them!
1/22/2022 — DOSSIER SUBMITTED
Hi everyone, we are Candy and Adam Travis from Alabama.
Adam and I met through a mutual friend, and we are now about to be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary!! We have four biological adult children, and a precious three year old little girl that we are in the final stages of adopting domestically.
We feel so blessed and honored to be called to adoption. God started speaking to our hearts about foster care and adoption in 2017 and that ultimately led us to bringing home our little angel from the NICU in May of 2018. But God wasn’t finished yet! He started speaking to us again, and led us to the most precious little boy with the sweetest smile, who also happens to be rockin’ that extra chromosome! We submitted Letter of Intent for “Benson” on 3/31/21 and received PA on 7/16/21. All I can say is God is So Good, and we CANNOT WAIT to bring our little boy home!!!!
7/22/2021 — DOSSIER COMPLETE; OFFICIALLY MATCHED
Greetings from the Wood Family! We are Brian, Kristen, Graysen, Emma Rae, and Blake and coming soon, a new daughter to be named Katie! We have been married for 10 wonderful years, and we have 3 amazing children. Brian is a student pastor at Point Harbor Church and Kristen is a Registered Nurse working in an elementary school.
Shortly after being married, we started talking about adoption and really felt a tug in our hearts early on specifically for China. About 4 years into our marriage, some friends of ours adopted their sweet girl from China and that started a ripple effect and we soon were surrounded with so many friends who said “YES” to their children in China. This only fueled our hearts more for China.
After we moved to VA, we were introduced to another family who has adopted 3 babies with Down Syndrome from China. Down Syndrome had never been on our radar, however, we fell absolutely in love with these amazing children. Although we always had a peace about China, God began to break our hearts specifically for children with Down Syndrome.
We were “introduced” to our daughter on Reece’s Rainbow site. Katie has Down Syndrome, CHD, and repaired VSD and PFO. She is an absolute doll and we cannot wait to have her in our arms. Katie will be 2 years old in July and we want to have her home as soon as we can. She has 3 siblings who are over the moon for her already and are so ready to have their sister home.
Please help our family to bring our daughter home! We plan to travel with our two oldest children, who are 11 and 9 yrs old. We greatly appreciate all prayers and financial support as we continue our adoption journey to complete our family!
10/13/2021 — TA RECEIVED in JANUARY 2020; AWAITING TRAVEL
We are Jaime and Gary and we hope that our story can help you understand why we have chosen the wonderful yet difficult path of adoption. We are the parents to three internationally adopted children from China, Shawn 8, Ryan 5, and Robin 3. We are often asked why we chose to adopt internationally rather than have our own biological children. We answer them how Vernon Pierce, a pastor and foster parent, does. He describes the mirrors between adoption and Gods love. He says “I like to tell people that we were the people in the back of the filing cabinet with the red stamp saying: Do not adopt. You look at the file on humanity and it says: Prone to rejection, prone to running away, prone to disobedience. There is no reason why God should have loved us and yet God did love us. He set his love upon us and it was a redemptive love to reconcile us to himself, to restore us to himself and restoring a people to himself. We were meant to be part of the family of God. We fell away and God still brings us back to himself”. When we adopt, we willing to choose the “red stamps” of life; those who are hurt, both physically and emotionally. We as parents set our love upon them and watch as Gods redemptive and restorative power work through us to directly change our children. It’s a truly powerful and miraculous thing to watch. It is also why we believe that the most profound thing we can impart to our children is the love of Christ. While we set our love upon our children we also disciple them with this message, that it is only Jesus who can save and change a heart from the inside.
In 2012 we started our journey with the adoption of a 2-year-old boy, Shawn, born with a cleft lip/palate. We followed his adoption up with two others in 2016 and 2017. Ryan was adopted at 3 and was diagnosed with Lamb-Shaffer Syndrome, a rare genetic deletion causing intellectual disabilities, speech impairments, and ataxic muscle movements. Little Robin arrived home at the age of one. She was diagnosed with cleft lip/palate, a heart defect, and hearing loss. As with all institutionalized children, their early childhood trauma and fear manifests in various ways. We meet them where they are, set our love upon them and trust God to redeem and restore the broken, just as Christ does for us.
Each one of our children has their own individual stories. Yet, they all share a similar heritage and can relate to each other through their medical needs. While they recognize the others struggles or disabilities they don’t capitalize on them but overlook them; the abled helping the disabled, the better signer helping the non-verbal to communicate more effectively, playing as a sibling unit despite ability.
We are seeking to adopt Caleb, a 7-year-old with arthrogryposis. We had the privilege of speaking with Caleb’s American foster family and gaining insight into his personality. His foster parents describe Caleb as a peacemaker with a sweet personality. He tries to find ways to accomplish tasks on his own despite his physical disability. Caleb also lives with foster siblings that have a variety of needs, ranging from Trisomy 21, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, and Clefts. His foster parents feel that Caleb would thrive as a middle brother who could not only look up to his older brother but also be a helper to his younger siblings. Caleb is receiving excellent care at his healing home but cannot reach his full potential there. He has already had seven surgeries and will require several more to achieve greater range of motion in his extremities. We have a translated letter written by Caleb expressing his desire to be adopted. You can also hear the sadness in his voice as he feels overlooked while he watches all of his friends be adopted.
We are humbled that you have taken the time to read our profile and thank you as you consider donating to help us bring Caleb home!
10/13/2021 — AWAITING TRAVEL APPROVAL SINCE 2020
Hi! We’re Kristy and Dale, and we’re the Galaleo family!
Dale and I first met in 2008 at the gym in where Dale was a spinning instructor and I was an admiring student. By day, I managed an aquarium and Dale built cool unmanned deep ocean gliders. We didn’t start dating until one Friday the 13th in 2012 and were fittingly married on Friday the 13th in May, 2016 at a beautiful waterfall in Connecticut. Two of our dogs, Trooper and Kopper served as our best men.
The end of 2016 and most of 2017 were rough for us as we lost some of our beloved animals and Dale’s adopted sister passed away unexpectedly. But 2017 also brought us a silver lining — one that redefined our definition of family and may change our lives forever. After his sister’s passing, Dale’s adopted brother came to live with us. We spent much of 2017 reconnecting with Dana, who was diagnosed with schizophrenic tendencies and other behaviors that would now fall on the spectrum for Autism as well as very poorly managed diabetes, and helping him get situated in an adult rehabilitation program that brought new purpose to his life.
Because he was such a great benefit to the program, they offered him housing in one of their newly built quadraplexes. Watching Dale’s brother grow and finally achieve a fulfilling life at 59 helped us realize that we might be able to help someone else.
As you can see in our photo, we have adopted several “handi-capable” dogs over the years. We’ve poured our love into them, but I’ve always felt like something else was missing. I have previously served as a respite provider for foster parents, and I know the need for caring parents and safe homes.
Dale and I have often thought about adoption, influenced by Dale’s experience as a younger brother to two adopted siblings and my experience fostering. However, I found myself in a job that required too many hours to bring a child home for good. If we were going to adopt, we knew we would both need to make some life changes.
I left the field of marine biology for interior design more than a year ago. Now, I’m able to leave work on time and don’t bring work home with me. We’ve moved to Florida and settled into a less hectic routine. There’s no time like now for us to grow our family, but we need help.
In October, Dale and I committed to adopting a beautiful 5-year-old girl from Asia. One night I was Googling “adopting children with special needs” and came across Reece’s Rainbow. I clicked on their waiting children link and started clicking through the various ages of children with Down syndrome. I remember being saddened by how many children there were and how long some of them have been waiting for a family of their own. As I scrolled through the “girls 3-5” I came across an adorable full face with the most genuine smile. Her name on the site is “Della” (we won’t know her real name until our home study is completed). I watched the videos that were posted and in all her videos she just seems to smile. Now her smile melts our hearts every time we watch the videos. We realize adopting a special needs child may require more work on our part, but there is no denying that our hearts are ready for this journey.
We have been working diligently on all the paperwork. Our home study is near completion, and we’re already researching all the best options to support for our daughter to ensure she blossoms in our care. We appreciate that you’ve read our family’s story and thank you in advance for anything you can give to bring us a step closer to uniting us with our new daughter.
5/20/2021 — DOSSIER SUBMITTED
Ross and Rachel were first introduced to international adoption, China specific, through Steven Curtis Chapman and his families’ journey of adoption. Ross and Rachel are both musicians and have always been inspired by Chapman and his music. What led them to their first consideration of international adoption was their struggle with infertility. At that time, they did not meet the adoption criteria so they continued to pray for the blessing of children. He answered, God blessed them with 2 wonderful children. Even as they had their first and second pregnancy, adoption was always something they desired to do.
Their son has Aspergers and Sensory Processing Disorder. They have had witnessed both trials and miracles through his disability. The valleys were tough, real tough…but the mountain views have been worth every moment of trial and hard work. Their son is now proactive and diligent in his academics making straight A’s, he is a respectful young man and has the kind of creativity one would only dream of having. Their daughter has the most beautiful pure heart of anyone they have ever known and has always friended the outcast due to her extreme passion for children with special needs. She has developed a new friendship with the little boy with trisomy 1 that Rachel babysat for 10 years through her high school/college years. With Ross and Rachel’s personal therapy experiences and with the heart of these two siblings, they thought it only appropriate to adopt a child with special needs. They are adopting Reeces Rainbow “Maura” who is 3 years old.
This family cannot wait to get their wildflower home! Due to all of her standing medical conditions, they are trying to set aside personal financial resources for post-adoption medical care while also fundraising and funding the adoption. They are looking forward to the day they hold her in their arms which is not too much longer away!
10/13/2021 — AWAITING TRAVEL APPROVAL SINCE 2020
The Anglen family has met their $5000 matching grant from RODS Racing!
Tim (James) and Jennifer Hayden have been married for almost 5 years. Tim has 2 adult children from a previous marriage, and Jennifer has 4 children ranging in age from 14 to 20 years old. Jennifer is an RN who has worked with children with special needs since high school, and Tim has a natural gift with people that have extra challenges. One of Jennifer’s daughters was adopted from Uzbekistan 10 years ago and has taught this family a great deal about the world of special needs parenting. In fact, it was during her involvement in the Special Olympics that Tim and Jennifer fell in love with children and adults with Down Syndrome.
With all their children growing up, Tim and Jennifer felt that God was telling their hearts that they weren’t quite done with parenting. Out of a wish to give a child a family that needs one and also the desire to have the experience of raising a child together, they believe adoption is the best way to accomplish this. With Jennifer’s past experience with international adoption, and many friends in their church family coming from Asian heritage, adopting from China seemed a natural fit. After years of following Reece’s Rainbow’s ministry, they fell in love with LOUIS several months ago and prayed for him to be their son if it was God’s will. After many months of preparation, they have now been pre-approved for his adoption!
3/16/2021 — AWAITING TRAVEL DATES
Louis has received a Waiting Child Grant of $15,100.00.
We are Galen & Yalonda Horst. We have been married 21 blessed years and God has touched our hearts and lives with 7 children; 4 biological children and 3 through the miracle of adoption. Our first 2 adoptions were from Guatemala and the last one was from China.
Adoption has touched our hearts and lives in a way that has changed us tremendously. We never dreamed, when we did our first 2 adoptions from Guatemala, that God would lead us to adopt a child from China who has Down Syndrome, but it has been another beautiful experience!
The transformation that Kyla has made in the past 2 years is nothing short of amazing! It was beautiful to see her personality unfold and come alive after coming to us as an unresponsive, shutdown, infant-like 2 year old. Now 2 years later she is hardly recognizable as the same child! She is so full of love, mischief, and humor!
So when another sweet little girl with Down Syndrome jumped off an advocacy page at us, we prayed fervently for an answer as to whether or not this was truly God calling us again. After much prayer, we felt God was telling us to step forward. So… we’re on our way to Asia again!
Our prayer for Kristi: “I pray that God would hold you in His arms until I can hold you in mine own!”
10/13/2021 — AWAITING TRAVEL APPROVAL SINCE 2020
Kathy will be adding another aging out child to her family! She returned home in May of 2018 with an almost 16-year-old with Down syndrome from Armenia. She is now working to bring home another daughter with DS from East Asia. This precious one has been on the hearts and minds of a lot of people who love her and have prayed for her. She was hosted in the US in the summer of 2016 by a family who hoped to adopt her but were unfortunately denied due to rules changing in the country. Kathy is grateful for the knowledge, experience, and love the family provided to her while she was here, and continue to provide.
Kathy’s first hands-on experience with international adoption was when her daughter and granddaughter, also with DS, returned home in December 2015 from Armenia. Her daughter is also in the process of adding another little one with DS to the family! While following her daughter’s first adoption and the years since, Kathy has helped as many families as she could, financially and prayerfully. She has also advocated for many children in need of families. Reading story after story about the life altering effects of adoption – for the child and parents – has been an inspiration to her.
After reading about the conditions children who have aged out face, and knowing those children would never know the love of a family, she knew she needed to do more. For the last few months Kathy has been contemplating and praying on what more she could do to help these children. So she is excited to announce that she is once again crossing the ocean to adopt again before this girl ages out and loses the chance to live happily ever after knowing the love and joy of having a family!
Any prayers and support, financially or emotionally, are greatly appreciated during her adoption process!
10/13/2021 — LOA RECEIVED in MAY 2020; AWAITING TRAVEL
Jonathan and Leanne have known each other for as long as they can remember and have loved each other for over half of their lives. They were high school sweethearts which mostly consisted of passing notes to each other at church. They impatiently waited until Leanne was in college before they were allowed to officially date/court each other. After several challenging yet wonderful years, Jonathan and Leanne were able to get married while Jonathan was in college at Texas A&M and Leanne was teaching at a local elementary school.
The summer after Jonathan’s graduation and commissioning into the US Air Force, Leanne gave birth to their oldest daughter, Emily. Soon after her birth, they moved to Germany, and Jonathan started work as a second lieutenant. After almost ten years married and seven years in the military, Jonathan and Leanne have three biological children: Emily (age 7), Michael (age 5), and Ellen (age 3). Through adoption, they hope to add to their family very soon!
They are an active military family who have been blessed with adventures all over the world including (but not limited to) Texas, Germany, Alaska, and New Mexico. In 2013, they began their adoption journey with several attempts (international and through the foster system). Each ended with God closing the door. During this time, God opened their hearts to becoming foster parents. They have been licensed foster parents in both Alaska and New Mexico. Right after they became licensed in New Mexico in June 2019, they found out that they qualified to adopt Daniel (an eight year old boy from China with Down syndrome) who they had already tried to adopt the previous year. After several heartbreaking months of thinking it would be impossible to adopt Daniel, God miraculously re-opened this door! They are so excited to finally be moving forward with this adoption! With only months to go, they don’t want finances to be what delays them from going to adopt him and bring him home. God has provided exactly what they need so far, and they are thankful that you are considering being part of Daniel’s amazing adoption story!
10/13/2021 — AWAITING TRAVEL APPROVAL SINCE 2020
Danny has received a $5,000 Older Child Grant.
Nathan and Stephanie Faught have been married for eleven years and have five wonderful children- three biological and two born in their hearts. During their engagement, the Lord started drawing them to hurting children through a ministry that serves families in the inner city. With big hearts and an open door policy, Nate and Stephanie quickly began filling their home with children to love, both biological and through the inner city ministry. Within the first five years of their marriage, they were parents to three babies/toddlers, and a teen. Although it seemed crazy to many, the Lord was all in it! He was clearly leading them down a path unlike what they had planned. As Proverbs 16:9 reminds us…”The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” From early on, they just wanted their steps ordered by Him.
In year 8 of their marriage, the Father brought them a handsome brave seven year old boy! What a gift this boy was to them. Amazingly, he is now their son. Many asked how they were able to take on so much, and their response always pointed others toward God. They continuously re-mind others that this journey of adding children to their family is His call on their lives. Adoption has come with it’s challenges; yet through the hard times, the Lord has always been faithful.
Fast forward to the following year… at a time when Nate and Stephanie just knew they couldn’t handle anymore changes in their lives… the Father placed a precious three year old girl into their laps. She came to them “just for respite”… two to four weeks max. God sure has a sense of humor because that little sweetness is now their daughter. AND… the most incredible part is that she has Down Syndrome. A special need the Faughts had never considered. In fact, they were quite intimidated by raising a special needs child…. BUT GOD… when they saw her picture… they did not see a child with Down Syndrome. They saw HER! She was a precious soul in need of love. They quickly learned that she was no different than the other children the Lord had brought them!
Adding her to their family has changed all of them in such a beautiful way! It’s one thing to read about the millions of orphans living in institutions and feel sad for them. But when someone be-comes mommy, daddy, or brother to one of those children, a true passion is developed. They’ve experienced first hand how being orphaned truly affects a child, and they all long to see each of these children find a forever family! The Faughts have also been shown the true value of these precious ones with special needs-specifically those with down syndrome. The Father showed them that while many have labeled these children a burden, they are truly one of His greatest treasures…fearfully and wonderfully made by Him.
This summer, a dear friend of theirs had an amazing opportunity to visit an orphanage in Asia to check on a handful of waiting children. The day she visited them, the whole Faught family was praying that each child would feel the Father’s love through her and that they would finally be found by their forever families. When the friend returned home, she posted pictures of the children she had met. Stephanie and her children sat at the table looking at their precious faces. When they came to a picture of a little girl with down syndrome dressed in yellow, their oldest son proclaimed, “Mom, that is our sister! Can we adopt her?” The other children quickly chimed in, “yes, mom, please!!!” Stephanie simply replied that they would just have to pray about it. When Nate returned home from work, he was met at the door with a picture of this sweet girl and begging little boys. He echoed Stephanie’s response that they just needed to pray. The brothers united together telling him that they pray for orphans all the time and they just knew this one was their sister. That week, they watched as their children prayed with such fervor. Nathan and Stephanie prayed too and the Lord confirmed that she was indeed their child! When Stephanie reached out to her friend to get some more information, her friend told her that the little girls advocacy name was “Stephanie”. She laughed out loud and thought to herself, “well, of course it is”.
The whole family is so excited to bring Stephanie home, hopefully early next year. They would love to see others join them on this journey, and they thank you in advance for all of your prayers and support!
Follow their journey on Instagram @bringinghomeveraellen or Facebook @ Bringing Home Vera Ellen.
10/13/2021 — AWAITING TRAVEL APPROVAL SINCE 2020
Hi, we are the Cochran family, Mike, Grace, Natalie (5), and Jason (3). We are a military family stationed on the beautiful island of Okinawa. Mike is an EOD tech (explosive ordinance disposal) in the US Marine Corps. He has served 10 years and plans to retire. Grace is a stay at home homeschooling mama. We have been married for 9 years. We have had a heart for adoption for a very long time but it wasn’t until this year that we felt God telling us that it was our time. We took a leap of faith with a whole lot of nothing in our pocket back in June of this year. We watched God use what little we had and multiply it. Within a months’ time we had enough to fund our first payment and homestudy for our China adoption. In July Mike came home from deployment and we got to work. Within a month’s time we managed to compile our dossier and complete our homestudy (yes it is doable!) During that time frame I came across an advocacy post for this precious little girl with Down Syndrome. We knew she was the one! She will be 2 years old this October and shares the same birthday as her soon to be daddy. We hope to travel early next year. This journey has not been easy and we still have so far to go but every day is one step closer to her. We know that God has such amazing plans for her life, so much bigger and more beautiful than we can imagine. Thank you for the honor of sharing our story with you. Most importantly thank you for the prayers and support.
10/13/2021 — AWAITING TRAVEL APPROVAL SINCE 2020
Dan and Tara Brooke are parents of four beautiful children. The oldest three were born biologically to the Brooke family, while their fourth, was born in their hearts. In 2016 the Brooke family was gifted with their youngest child, George, through adoption. Dan and Tara had felt a call to adopt, but didn’t know exactly what that meant until 2014 when they felt the call to adopt a child with Down Syndrome. George was an instant match to the Brooke family and has been such a tremendous gift to their lives. He has gifted them with more joy and love than they ever imagined. In late 2018 the Brooke’s felt a call again. They were unsure how they were going to make adoption work financially in their lives again, but knew that they were supposed to adopt once again. Early in 2019 they began that process. They have been matched to Zack Qi and are in the midst of dossier and immigration paperwork. They hope to travel late 2019 or early 2020 to bring Zack home to their family and make him a Brooke too! Zack is already a member of their family, the love is already there, they cannot wait to hold him, love him, and care for him.
10/13/2021 — AWAITING TRAVEL APPROVAL since SEPTEMBER 2020
Zack Qi has received a $15,247.50 Waiting Child Grant.
We (Brion and Jenn) have been part of the adoption community for most of our lives. Brion’s family, including his father, aunts, and uncles, as well as niece and nephew were adopted. Before Jenn met Brion, she spent many years working with organizations that supported orphans and community health in Vietnam, China, Mexico, and Honduras. Adoption has always been a plan for our families for both Brion and Jenn, even before they met. We believe family is the greatest gift a person can give to another. We have put our family first in all we have done in life and we have been blessed in return with the most amazing children. We cannot imagine life any other way (even if it meant it was easier). We adopted three of our five children. Adoption has been an amazing experience for our entire family. Our last two children, Michael and Emily were adopted together from China two years ago. Their journey home has brought us closer than ever as a family. Throughout this journey, we connected with many families and orphaned children. The connections and the experiences we have had with adoption have motivated us to pursue adoption again. We believe all children belong in families. And we have decided to pursue adoption as the way to further expand our family. Down Syndrome adoption (which is what we are pursuing now) was a dream of ours since before we were married. Our adoption of Emily in 2018 and the connections we have made in the Down Syndrome community has inspired us to adopt our sixth child, who will also have Down Syndrome- or what we like to refer to as “FLAWLESS”.
Our formal adoption journey formally began in 2006 when we pursued the adoption of Olivia from Vietnam. Our journey to her was incredibly challenging, as Vietnam closed the adoption program in 2008. We were still able to bring Olivia home. When we discovered her traumatic brain injury, we felt peace knowing she was with her forever family. In 2017, we decided to grow our family again. We were well prepared with the requirements of raising children with exceptional needs and had the resources to provide for another child. Our initial plan was to adopt one child from China (Emily). After much prayer and consideration, we decided to adopt a second child with her (Michael). We brought both children home in March of 2018. In August of that year we learned Michael had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This diagnosis came as a shock to us, as we had no idea of this disease, and were devastated to learn the tragic path and terminal outcome. Through our grief and processing, we found ourselves in a place of peace and joy knowing that Michael would have a family who would love him forever and would care for him when his disease takes his mobility and eventually his life. Most people would probably find it sensible to stop growing their family at this point. After all, we have two children with diagnoses that we never imagined. But the truth is, Michael and Olivia affirmed our belief that a family supports, sustains, and loves no matter if… not matter what.
In 2019, we decided to continue our parenting journey with our present adoption. Our experiences with Down Syndrome adoption, the community, and our family structure has opened our family to adopt another child with Down Syndrome. We
have been matched with an almost 4-year-old girl with Down Syndrome. She also has a severe heart condition (due to congenital heart defects). When we saw her face on Reece’s Rainbow and heard the most precious giggle ever….we knew we found our daughter.
10/13/2021 — AWAITING TRAVEL APPROVAL SINCE 2020
I am happy to introduce you to the Umstead family. They are a family of 11! Tom and Heather have 4 biological children who are all adults. Tom, along with his brother-in-law, father-in-law and son, own their own business where they cut trees and sell the timber. Heather stays at home with the kids and grandkids and cares for the home duties.
The Umsteads had their children young and were just reaching the time in life where things were starting to slow down, and they were looking forward to more time with each other and possibly some traveling. About that time, they began to feel a nudge from God to be completely surrendered to Him. They wanted to give their lives back to God so He could use them as a blessing to others. That is when adoption was placed on their hearts. Not just adoption but they researched and found the greatest need was children with Down syndrome. Asia in particular had a great number of boys with Down syndrome in orphanages.
Enter their 4th son, Samuel! Samuel was adopted in 2017; he was 3 when the Umstead’s brought him home. He has Down syndrome and an extra surprise of Autism. Samuel fit into their family like only God could do. Autism was not a disability they thought they were open to, but they would not change a thing about Samuel. They were over the moon about Samuel and did not plan on a return trip to Asia. However, during the visit to the orphanage, Tom met Joy (formerly Caroline on RR). Joy shared a crib with Samuel, and they lived in that small space together for 3 years. So as soon as they returned to the US they began advocating for Joy. When their year was up, and no one submitted for Joy they knew they had to go back for her. Joy came home in 2019. Joy rocked the extra chromosome along with a heart defect that eventually will need another surgery, but you would never know! Joy is amazing! She is such a quick learner and is thriving in her new family.
Prior to adopting Joy, the Umstead’s learned of a little guy in the same orphanage as their children. His name is Auden, and they were drawn to him. During the visit at the orphanage when adopting Joy, they asked to see and spend time with Auden. They were able to see him but were not given permission to interact with him. Auden was not doing well. They committed at that moment to return for him as soon as possible. They spoke with friends and were able to get Auden out of the orphanage and into a healing home until they would be permitted to return for him.
That takes us to today. The Umstead’s have submitted their dossier and they are just waiting for the travel suspension to be lifted so they can make their final trip to bring home their last son, who will be named Moses John. Along with your financial support (because fundraising is hard with Samuel and Joy) they would appreciate your prayers.
3/16/2021 — AWAITING TRAVEL
Hi, we’re Melanie and Ryan Janus! We live in Colorado, where Ryan works as a musician for the Air Force, and Melanie is a CNA, and we have five beautiful kids ranging in age from 15 to 24, the youngest with Down syndrome. We love road trips, hiking, board games, movies and homemade pizza. We especially love music; between the seven of us, we play a total of over 20 different instruments! Ours is a noisy, fun, loving household.
We’ve been considering adoption for quite a while now, specifically an older Down syndrome child. Until recently, however, the timing and circumstances never seemed quite right. After prayerful consideration, we decided the time is now. If we wait for circumstances to be perfect, we’ll be waiting forever because they never will be. The boy we hope to adopt is a teenager and will be aging out soon, so the clock is ticking for us.
We knew this was going to be tough, but we’ve seen many little miracles happen for us along this journey. The mountain of paperwork is one hurdle, and we’ve been doing our best to get it done quickly. Another hurdle is money. Adoptions are expensive, international adoptions even more so. So if you’re feeling generous, please consider helping us bring our son home as quickly as possible!
3/25/2023 — DOSSIER COMPLETE
Ever since she was a young girl, Stephani has wanted a big family with a lot of kids, several of whom she hoped would arrive via adoption. She learned about the plight of orphans with special needs 10 years ago when an online friend adopted a little boy with Down syndrome from Ukraine and that’s when she realized she would someday pursue international special needs adoption.
That someday came a few years later when Stephani saw a newly listed little girl with Down syndrome from Armenia that led her to start her first adoption. Another family accepted the referral for that little girl soon after Stephani submitted her dossier but she knew she was meant to continue her journey and in 2015, Octavia joined the family. Stephani was happy with her small family but knew it wasn’t complete.
In 2018, a newly listed little girl with Down syndrome from the country of Georgia called Lola caught Stephani’s attention but she didn’t think it was the right time to adopt so she advocated for her, hoping Lola’s family would see her. Her family did see her! A year later, Stephani started the adoption process once again and brought Lola, now Coralie, home in 2021.
Stephani, Octavia, and Coralie are excited for another little one to join the family, this time from a different Eastern European country. Your financial, emotional, and prayerful support is appreciated.
The Obenauf family has a $2500 MATCHING GRANT!! When the grant reaches $6738, they’ll receive another $2500!
3/7/2023 — DOSSIER EN ROUTE; AWAITING I800A APPROVAL
CONTACT
Reece's Rainbow
PO Box 146
Combined Locks, WI 54113
CLICK HERE to contact us.
Your questions will be directed to the appropriate team member.
PO Box 146
Combined Locks, WI 54113
CLICK HERE to contact us.
Your questions will be directed to the appropriate team member.
