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Thank you for your generous gift of life and love! |
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Thank you for your generous gift of life and love! |
Brian and Cortney are excited to go back to Eastern Europe to adopt another child with special needs. A little over four years ago, they adopted two children with special needs, a son with Down Syndrome and a daughter with cerebral palsy, from the same country. This came after God opened their eyes to how children with special needs were languishing in orphanages, and they realized that He had equipped them to help. After struggling with infertility, they are eager to build their family through the gift of adoption once again. They were smitten the first time they saw Adley’s photo and it was soon after that they realized he would be the perfect addition to their family.
The Seays want to thank all their family and friends who have helped them not only in the process of adopting their first children, but have also helped in the joy of raising them! Mostly they want to thank Jesus for saving us, calling us into His marvelous light, and enabling us to follow Him into His unexpected (and wonderful) plan for their lives.
6/23/2017 — AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL
Follow the family’s journey on their blog: homeismeanttobeshared.blogspot.com
Justin and Tara have been married for five years and have a two-year old biological daughter who loves to read and loves Mickey Mouse. As soon as Vivien was born, she was loved beyond comprehension by two parents who prayed for her and would show her the love of Jesus. This love grew and overflowed, and God began to give Tara and Justin hearts for the unwanted and unloved children in the world. Over the past two years, they have been praying about how God could use them in real, tangible ways, like fostering or adopting, to bring the light of Jesus and a forever home to a child in need. God has opened doors where they never even thought to look and He has led their hearts to precious little Jenny.
6/21/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Please follow the family’s journey on their blog: thejourneytojenny.blogspot.com
Jenny has received a $468 Waiting Child Grant.
Hi there! We are Chris and Elizabeth Graham. Newlyweds. Mama and Daddy to Worth. Adoption advocates. Chipotle lovers. A musician and an artist.
In early 2015, I (Elizabeth) was living the single lady life when I had the craziest dream. In my dream, I was marrying the love of my life, and there right next to us was my precious, adopted child. It was breathtaking and vividly real.
By mid-2015, I was home study approved and eagerly learning the world of international adoption. After setback and heartbreak, I finally met my son, Worth, in May 2016, and he was in my arms forever on October 17, 2016.
Somewhere in the middle of that beautiful chaos, I met Chris and immediately knew he was the man of my dreams. Chris asked me to be his wife right before we traveled together to pick up my son, now our son. Loving Worth together has been the greatest joy of our lives. Some days are hard and messy and full of tears, but every day is overflowing with love.
Our prayer as a couple is that our love be so abundant that we have plenty to share with the world; now is the time to share our love with two daughters, two sisters for Worth. After months of praying and advocating for “Anna,” it became clear that she was supposed to join our family. Right now, she is locked away in a mental institution for adult men. Soon, she will be ours, forever home in our family.
With all signs and dreams pointing to adopting two girls, our hearts were led to “Dolly.” Without a doubt, she is our missing piece! “Anna” and “Dolly” are already in our hearts. Now we just need to get them home!
Thank you for being a part of this beautiful story. I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
6/20/17 — COMPILING DOSSIER
Jason and Celeste Klassen were kids when they first met, but have now been married for 6 years. Once they decided they were ready for kids of their own, they decided to be a little unconventional! They wanted to start their family by adopting a child that needed a home, instead of making another one. They knew they wanted to adopt a child who needed medical care, but they didn’t understand this was “special needs.”
Once their homestudy was done in early 2015, they settled in for a long wait in the Bulgaria program. They were matched with sweet “Tenley” from RR almost immediately! “Tenley” – now Siobhan – came home in December of 2015. She was 4 years old, tiny, non-verbal, not mobile, and had a host of medical needs. Just over a year later she never stops talking or running around their little house. Her successful surgeries post-adoption have made her medical concerns a second thought.
The Klassen family knew they would adopt again, but due to unfortunate circumstances during most of 2016, they were not expecting to adopt again so soon. They made the decision after much prayer and felt very strongly that this was the right thing to do! This means that they have a significantly larger portion of their adoption to fundraise than last time. Every $10 will pay some postage, every $30 will cover a notarization, every $100 will dent an agency fee!
Jason, Celeste, and Siobhan are so excited to bring home a sibling very soon! They are fundraising hard and are so grateful for the support!
5/19/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Christina and Bill have been blessed with eight biological children. Although for some people that’s “more than enough,” they do not look at life that way. It’s been quite a few years that they have been thinking about making their family even more blessed by adding one or more children with special needs to it. They have been following the journeys of friends who adopted challenged kids, and they both felt that was something they definitely wanted to do as well. Yet, their plans were placed on hold when in 2015 Christina was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thanks be to God, treatment was successful, and now Christina can consider herself cancer free. When she asked her oncologist for a letter specifically stating that she was medically fit to start an adoption process, the physician did not hesitate to say yes and give her a bill of good health. Still the Quicks decided not to be so extremely quick and give themselves a little more time following Christina’s treatment. Despite such determination, she kept on longingly going over the little faces of waiting children listed on Reece’s Rainbow. The family fell in love with a little girl with cerebral palsy in Eastern Europe. Sadly after months of thinking of her as their own, they were not able to proceed with adopting her. Their hearts were broken. After much searching and contemplation about how and when to proceed with adopting, one sunny morning, Christina saw a picture of a newborn baby boy with Down syndrome. The family knew right away that this child was the one meant for their family all along. The country they are adopting from now, is a quick process. They may be able to bring him home in 6 months if all the paperwork goes well! This leaves little time to fundraise, but time cannot be wasted as their new little boy has a heart defect that needs to be monitored and possibly fixed by experienced doctors here in the USA. We hope you will follow the Quicks along in this journey to bring home this sweet little baby and consider helping in whatever way you can.
5/24/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
John and Mary Ellen Keno have been married for 32 years and are blessed to have eight children — three birth daughters and five adopted children — over the past 31 years. They are also blessed with four beautiful grandchildren and a great son-in-law. God has been nudging them to adopt a teen boy with Down syndrome from Eastern Europe. Their whole family is excited to welcome their son/brother/uncle home.
5/16/2017 — COMPILING DOSSIER
Anna and Steven have been blessed twice through adoption! Eddie joined their family in 2015, and Rosa came home in 2016. After years of infertility and fruitlessly pursuing domestic adoption, the Parrishes saw Eddie’s picture in 2014 and were smitten. Once home, in 2015, they quickly saw the difference that it makes for children to be in families. Eddie immediately grew and blossomed. Anna and Steven immediately began considering adopting again. Rosa (previously listed as “Ryleigh”) has been an incredible blessing and joy to our family.
Shortly after getting home with Rosa, Anna and Steven were looking at orphans on Reece’s Rainbow and saw sweet V’s photo. They were instantly drawn to him. As the holiday season passed, he was often at the forefront of their thoughts. In January, the Parrish family reached out to their agency to begin pursuing V. They were matched in April and their homestudy was completed in May! V has a number of medical special needs including spina bifida and hydrocephalus. The Parrish family is working to bring V home as quickly as possible.
6/6/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at
Robert and Louisa have been married for twenty-three years. They are the parents of five children, all through the blessings of adoption.
While traveling to Russia, Guatemala and Ukraine, Robert and Louisa saw the unforgettable faces of children in orphanages they had to leave behind. They witnessed the heartache and misery that comes from growing up without the care of loving parents and living in austere conditions. As Roman Catholics, they believe in the sanctity of every human life.
It was through Reece’s Rainbow they learned about children with special needs needing families. In 2013, they welcomed home a baby girl with Down Syndrome. Being older parents, they thought their family was complete. But, God helped them to trust in His plan. One day, a little boy caught their eye. Something about him spoke to their hearts. He was three-years old and still waiting for his forever family. They knew right away they wanted him. After many prayers they decided to say, “Yes!”
Robert and Louisa want to thank their family and friends that have loved and supported them over the years. Most of all, they want to thank Jesus Christ for His sacrifice on the cross. It would mean so much if you would pray for Bruce and the Ramirez Family. Reece’s Rainbow is so worthy of any support you can give.
6/2/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
“Mari Rose” was born with Down syndrome and Congenital Heart Defect, because of this her family abandoned her at birth and now she lives in an orphanage. Luckily a non-profit in the United States found out about “Mari Rose” and her life threatening need to have immediate open heart surgery, they quickly raised the money and found a surgeon from the United States to go and successfully perform the surgery.
She had to spend weeks recovering from surgery without a family to love and care for her. She is a fighter and is doing great. The Collins are doing everything they can to bring her home to their loving family.
You and/or your company can make a tax deductible donation to help bring “Mari Rose” home to the Collins family. These donations will go directly to helping with adoptions costs in Eastern Europe. It is estimated that just the international costs for courts, paperwork, and in country fees will be $15,000.
Lee and Diana Collins met while on a high school graduation trip in 1994, and they knew right away that fate had brought them together! Over the next 23 years as a couple, 18 years of marriage, Lee and Diana created their fairy tale life.
They were blessed with three amazing biological children – two sons, ages 15 and 16, and one 8 year old daughter. Lee and Diana absolutely LOVE being parents, so naturally the thought of adding to their family has always been a topic of conversation.
They have an abundance of experience with children of all abilities through their work, and they have so much love to give.
While most people look forward to their children growing older and eventually moving out, Diana and Lee have always been quite the opposite. They have never felt the need for “easier days”, in fact, their best memories are filled with the laughter, chaos, and love, that only a house full of children can provide!
It was meant to be to find that beautiful little angel and she will be an extremely loved baby sister. They want to hold her in their arms and make sure she finally knows that from here on out, everything is going to be ok…she is home with her family forever ❤
Thank you for reading about “Mari Rose” and consideration of making a tax deductible donation to help reach the goal of $15,000. If your company has an employee matching program, please see if Reece’s Rainbow is on their list of non-profit organizations.
4/18/2017 — COMPILING DOSSIER
Brian Dupuis and Jennifer Shea met through mutual friends and began dating over 12 years ago. They both fell in love with each other’s honesty, humor, and love of life. They were married almost 9 years ago in a beautiful church just down the street from where Jennifer had grown up.
Brian and Jennifer have always realized that they were incredibly blessed with an amazing family and wonderful friends. They always knew that they had a lot to give… the couple had talked about adoption off and on for a few years and had even looked at a few adoption sites over those years, but they had never felt that it was the time to act. However, this past December when Jennifer saw a little boy “Pauly” on the Reece’s Rainbow website, she felt an instant connection. For the next several days she woke up thinking about him, he popped into her head at random times throughout the day, and she went to bed praying that he felt safe and loved- and that he would find a family soon. After sharing her experience with her husband, he agreed that it was time to move forward.
Although the couple does not currently have any children of their own, they have many amazing nieces, nephews, and godchildren who they adore. And with the most supportive family and friends by their side, they cannot wait to bring their adopted child into their extended family filled with unconditional love!
6/16/17 —HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Almost 3 years ago while preparing his file for families to review, adoption worker Stefani Ellison first saw the chubby little face of an endearing toddler boy. His special need was Down Syndrome and he had an extra tiny thumb protruding from his right thumb. That should have been her first clue. He was giving her the “thumbs up” sign no matter what direction she looked at him from. He needed a privacy name and she named him WILKIE.
Months, then years passed, no family came for him. His file left her agency and was assigned to multiple agencies. Still, no family came. His file again returned to her agency and he was included in an Advocacy Camp in November 2016. Stefani was assigned to be one of the traveling staff and her teenaged daughters Alexa and Jaeya were lucky get to go help too.
Alexa has had an extra special place in her heart for Wilkie. She has watched him for years as he waited. She wanted to be assigned as his advocate SO BADLY and in the end she was. She did a fundraiser to earn her plane ticket. They went to camp and needless to say, Wilkie was amazing, utterly ready for them to be friends. While in Asia, Stefani made repeated online posts and plead for someone to find their son Wilkie. Why was his prospective mother not listening?
Camp ended and they said their heartbreaking goodbyes and watched him taken into the elevator with his caregiver. The doors shut on that bright face. Sob. They made the arduous journey home missing Wilkie with their whole hearts.
A few days after returning home, Stefani’s husband Stephen called her from work. He declared, “I need to sell my truck”. To ever see Stephen with that Dodge Mega Cab 350 truck was to know that the beauty was his baby. Stefani wondered what on earth must be broken with it and steeled herself for what was coming next. What she didn’t prepare for was the answer to her question why when Stephen replied, “I need to sell my truck because I think I am supposed to be Wilkie’s dad.” Simply that and hearts were turned and future’s changed.
They have received pre-approval, Stephen’s truck sold and other tender mercies have been shown to them. There is no doubt today that Wilkie is an Ellison son and brother. His time waiting for a family to know he was theirs had finally ended.
The Ellison’s have blended a family, adopted 12 children, been foster parents, and have stepped up many times to help kids from very hard places. It has been painful and sometimes utterly challenging but they are certain they need to step up one more time and bring Wilkie home.
So, they walk towards Wilkie. They enfold him. They will do battle for him. They will sign every piece of unending paperwork with joy in their hearts that they get to be part of this blessing. Please walk with them. Be a partner in their journey. Together be awestruck by what Wilkie will bring into our lives and in what he will give the world.
5/5/2017–AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL
The Pehl family is adopting again! This adventurous family began their adoption journey only 5 years ago. Their first daughter was born and God immediately placed the plight of the fatherless on their hearts. They were heartbroken that there were children just like their daughter, just as important as her, just as precious as her, just as loved by God as her who didn’t have parents to love them. They knew they had to do something. Five years into their journey, they have two biological children and four adopted children.
The Pehl’s first international adoption was a hard experience for them. They face nearly every hurdle, roadblock, and heartbreak including having their legally adopted children become “stuck” in a foreign country for nearly three years. After getting them safely home they really felt like they would never adopt internationally again … but God! God started stirring Rachel’s heart towards the orphan again. Rachel felt a burden she could not ignore … a burden for the fatherless, for the special needs child that so few saw value in. She quietly started doing her research and talking to Gavin who needed a little coaxing.
Finally they decided they would search for a country where they could adopt a baby… under two … make the transition home a little easier on everyone … but God! Once again the Lord changed their plans and showed them a girl with little brown eyes and big black curls! Her hair was wild but her disposition peaceful. She wasn’t a baby but instead the same age as their firstborn who changed their lives forever. They were hooked, they were in love, they decided to make her their own. Just 8 months after bringing their domestically adopted son home they are trusting in the Lord to provide every step of the way and excited to see how he does it!
5/5/2017–HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at pehladoption2.blogspot.com
Jill is a single mom to two girls adopted from China. Jill always felt that she would adopt someday. She never thought that she would be doing it on her own, but feels incredibly blessed to be their mom. Jill adopted Ella in 2009 and Lexie in 2012. Both girls were adopted through the special needs program. They each have medical needs that require regular follow up but are very manageable now. Jill has found that she’s never really been doing this on her own, after all. God has directed every step and she and her girls are loved by Him as well as a community of family and friends. Her daughters are the joy of her life.
Jill and her daughters hosted Lexie’s best friend from her orphanage in December 2015 with the purpose to find a family for him. He is Reece’s Rainbow’s “Beau.” The two friends were reunited and he was recently adopted by family friends. That was a wonderful experience and Jill agreed to consider hosting again per Ella’s request. Ella wanted to host a little girl this time.
Jill, her daughters, and her mom (who takes care of her daughters when she works) looked at the next list of children available for hosting and were drawn to a 5 year old little girl. They watched her video and couldn’t imagine why she was still waiting for a family. Jill requested her file which had a long list of medical conditions in it that seemed daunting on paper but didn’t seem to fit the little girl in the video. Jill is an RN and felt like they could certainly help her find a family. Selah spent three weeks with them in their home last summer. They quickly fell in love with this sweet, funny, and determined little girl. Though she has challenges and the medical needs in her file proved to be true, it was obvious that they won’t define her. She doesn’t let anything stop her! Jill had a tearful goodbye with Selah at the airport when she went back. While Selah was here, Jill saw how well she fit into their family but hadn’t planned to adopt again and kept telling herself that she couldn’t do this… add a third child with multiple medical needs as a single mom… but she could also feel God saying, “No, you can’t. But I can.” After Selah left, she knew what she needed to do. Four days later, Jill emailed the adoption agency to begin the process to adopt Selah and bring her back to them, forever this time.
Selah has a long list of diagnoses and is in need of medical care and surgeries which may still include open heart surgery. There will be some travel required in the Midwest to provide her with the best options for medical care that will improve her quality of life. Selah is known as “Amelinda” on Reece’s Rainbow.
Jill hopes to travel for Selah’s adoption in the summer. Ella and Lexie are excited to bring their little sister home. They appreciate your prayers for the journey that lies ahead. “Once our eyes are opened, we can’t pretend we don’t know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act.” Proverbs 24:12
5/18/17—USCIS APPROVED
After four sons, Bobby and Michele McCarthy are excited to announce, the Lord is bringing them their FIRST DAUGHTER!!! They have been married for 17 years. Their boys are ages 15,14,9, and 8. Their youngest son was adopted in May 2016. He has complex CHD including HLHS. Through his adoption, the Lord grew their faith even more. They knew God planted in their heart the desire to continue adopting. And this time, the Lord brought them their very first girl! After wrestling with God about adopting a child with Down syndrome, He changed their hearts. God made it clear that “Mae” is their chosen daughter. She is 6 years old. All their sons are supportive and encouraged them to adopt “Mae” even when Michele and Bobby were scared themselves. With fear and then surrender, they said “YES!” They are incredibly grateful for your prayers and support. They are thrilled to welcome their first daughter full of spunk and spice and who just might help keep their boys in line!
To learn a little more about this family, please read Michele’s “He Is A Gift” post on No Hands But Ours about their first adoption.
4/10/2017 — COMPILING DOSSIER
Alapaki and Joanna got married in 2009 and spoke of the desire to have a “larger family”. God has honored that desire and by 2013, they had 3 young children. But God knew of a little boy half a world away that needed a family and in 2014, Joanna traveled to Ukraine to bring home a little boy to grow their family to 4 children. God smiled and blessed them with another baby in 2015 and so the number became 5. Joanna and Alapaki agreed, they had very full hands and with a full mini-van, it was time to call it quits. Well, God is smiling again and stirred in their hearts for another little boy half a world away who wants nothing more than to be part of a family. They are overjoyed at the prospect of this little boy joining their crazy family and a bigger vehicle to accommodate! So please pray for them as they step out on this journey for wisdom, discernment, and peace. Thank you!
5/24/2017– USCIS APPROVED
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at gomesohana.blogspot.com
Adopting their youngest son from Eastern Europe, Stacey swore she could never go back. After seeing firsthand the children she had only ever read about, she stepped off the plane back home and wanted to put it all behind her. She didn’t want to remember the silence of the orphanage, the smell of tooth decay and urine, and the babies lying for hours on end in their metal cribs. They had rescued their son, Israel, and perhaps there were other ways that God would use them to help the other children.
But God had other plans and they learned of a little girl that was laying in another crib on the other side of the orphanage, the same orphanage they had carried their son out of. They learned about the horrible medical procedures the baby had endured and her need for a family. This sweet girl had an amputated left arm and right foot, and she needed a mommy and daddy who could help her grow into a strong, confident woman. She needed siblings who could challenge her to walk and run, in spite of her limb differences. This little one needed a home, and the Gagnons knew that they could make room for one more.
The Gagnon’s are excited to welcome home there “Room for One More”, named Star. And as they travel this journey, they would like to invite you to come along and support them in prayer.
Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions.
Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching. As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea. The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.”The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”
The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!”
5/5/2017–HOMESTUDY COMPLETE; AWAITING USCIS
You can follow their journey at www.ransomforisrael.com as they make a difference to this one; their little “Star”fish.
The small seed of adoption was planted in the Holloway family during an annual dinner for a local ministry in 2010 and soon blossomed into a growing awareness that God was not done creating their family yet. Married for five years and raising their three children in the panhandle of Florida, Lenny and Roberta started the process to adopt a child with special needs from China in 2011 but listening to God’s prompting, changed their path to domestic infant adoption. Their family was thrilled to welcome baby Zoe into their family in Spring 2013 and they continue an open adoption relationship with her birth parents. But Lenny and Roberta knew in their hearts their family wasn’t yet complete. Roberta would sit in the nursery, rocking Zoe in the early hours of the morning and knew God was calling them to adopt again. Roberta says, “At that time, my only prayer was OK, but not yet.” In the fall of 2015 they knew it was time again, but felt drawn to teenagers who were running out of time to find a family. Lenny says, “With both of us working in local law enforcement we have seen how important family, good role models, and a support system are and what a positive impact in can make, even if it’s later in life.” They completed the process to adopt from state foster care, but again felt God calling them in a different direction. They became aware of a teenage boy who needed a family through friends who had adopted a sibling group of 3 from the same orphanage in Eastern Europe. They saw his picture, knew he was supposed to be a part of their family and started the process in February 2017 to bring him home. They are flying through the paperwork and praying to welcome him home this year.
5/3/2017 — COMPILING DOSSIER; AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL
Darrel and Shonette have been married for 28 ½ years. Darrel is retired AF, and is now in law enforcement. Shonette is a stay at home mom and homeschools five children who are still in school. They are active in First Baptist Church, in their city.
They have ten children, four biological and six adopted. They have always been led to adopt overseas. They finally took that leap of faith back in 2009. They started out to adopt one little girl and that fell threw. Then they picked another little girl, which could not be adopted because paper work wasn’t ready for her. In that entire process, they wanted to God to lead them to the one that was to be their daughter. Their agency sent them five more little girls. They prayed that whichever one was paper ready, was to be their daughter. In April 2010, they landed with their little girl from Ukraine, AnnaKae Hope. AnnaKae was weeks from being transferred. They knew AnnaKae was meant to be their daughter. They have been praying for years about adopting another one so AnnaKae could have a little sister.
They were praying about Priscilla on Reece’s Rainbow. Then Shonette heard she was going to be transferred in August. She knew it was time to jump again. God has called them to a place that a lot of people don’t want to go. Darrel and Shonette have a heart for orphans and know it’s their passion. They are rushing to get everything done, to get to Priscilla before she is transferred. They are excited about adding another little one to their family and can’t wait to get her home.
5/3/2017 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
Hi! We’re the Pattersons. We’ve been married for 23 years (Wow, time flies!) and currently have five children. Our two oldest are in college, our next two are in high school and our youngest is in fifth grade. Four years ago we adopted our youngest, Joseph. The past four years have been challenging but SO rewarding.
For over 2 years we have wanted to adopt again. We had been in process with another country when the adoption could not move forward. We were heartbroken. When we saw Camila’s picture we were so excited! We had been praying about who our next child would be and hoping that we could adopt a little girl with Arthrogryposis. Joseph was born with Arthrogryposis and we have become quite familiar with the ins and outs of the medical procedures and therapies that are necessary. So, when we inquired about Camila and were accepted to pursue her adoption we were thrilled! Despite the unknowns, we are ready to plow through the paperwork to bring our little girl home as soon as possible!!
We appreciate your prayers and support so much as we begin this journey.
4/11/17—HOMESTUDY UPDATE COMPLETE
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at hiskindness.wordpress.com
Shannon lives in Maryland with her 14 year old son Alex. Alex is her pride and joy. After four miscarriages, and divorce, she still knew more children were meant for her family. She has been drawn to adoption since she was a little girl. Shannon grew up with physical disability in her family and knows first hand the difference love and support and good care can make in someone’s life. When she saw Chelsea-Qi’s profile, there was no doubt it was time to get the house ready for a little sister for Alex. Shannon is anxious and ready to meet Chelsea and show her all of the wonderful things Annapolis has to offer. God has called Shannon to adopt and specifically children with special needs. Waiting now is no different than the nine months she waited for her son to be born. Chelsea will be so loved and cared for and encouraged to live this beautiful life in the way she dreams. The Regan family (including Chelsea) is forever grateful for all prayer and donations in support of this adoption.
4/28/17 —HOMESTUDY COMPLETE; COMPILING DOSSIER
Priscilla and Dave are experienced parents and adopters who have had their eyes opened once again to a precious child in need. They are pushing full steam ahead to bring their newest blessing home, and would love your support and prayers as they work as hard as they can to bring her home where she can know love, family, support and get the medical care she desperately needs. She will be joining her three older brothers and older sister who can’t wait to have her home to dote on. Please join the Morse family in their journey across the ocean once more, to gently gather their sweet baby girl into their arms and shepherd her home.
4/12/2017 –AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL
From as far back as Brianna can remember she has been inspired to adopt because of her sister. Her sister was adopted from Korea back in the 70’s. So, when Brianna and Josh got married it wasn’t a question that at some point they would adopt. They have almost been married 13 years and now have 7 biological boys ranging from 1 to 10 years old. The discussion has always been very open with their boys about adopting, but they have always said down the road. Maybe 10 years. Their 8-year-old is already making plans to adopt teenagers from foster care when he grows up. He talks constantly about adoption and ask every question under the sun. Adopting a special needs child hadn’t always been the plan though. Brianna has always been drawn to Down Syndrome kids and has looked through Reece’s Rainbow numerous times over the years. She’d always show kids to Josh, but they knew it wasn’t the right time. Special needs kids made him nervous. Then a little over a year ago he had a change of heart. He was completely on board with adopting a special needs child. Brianna continued to read blogs about other families adopting. One family in particular that was adopting 4 kids lead her to this specific country, so all she would look at was kids from there. One day though she pulled open 4 kids pages and when Josh got home she showed him. One adorable, little boy they closed instantly because there wasn’t a ton of information and it scared them. They both agreed to pray about the other 3 kids. Ultimately, they didn’t feel like God was telling them to adopt any of these 3 kids. A month or so later one of the pages Brianna follows on Facebook shared a blog by Wide Awake International. The little boy in the preview photo oddly looked familiar so she opened it up. And there right in front of her was that little boy that they had closed the webpage instantly on! It was love at first sight. His giggle and smile stole her heart. When Josh got home he couldn’t believe it. They both agreed to pray about this little boy, but already could tell God was speaking to them about him. A few days later as Brianna was carrying their youngest to the changing table after he had cried in the middle of the night she felt an overwhelming feeling that the little boy was meant to be there son. She texted Josh at work instantly and he agreed! They gave it fully to God to help them figure out the funds to commit to this little boy by Thanksgiving and He came through instantly. All their other boys are so excited! They had always begged for a sister, but the mention of a new brother brought no request for a sister and just the question of how fast can he be their brother. So now we are praying and doing whatever it takes to get him home and make him Branscum Boy #8!
5/22/17 —COMPILING DOSSIER; AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL
Shannon first discovered international adoption – and Reece’s Rainbow – in 2008 after a heartbreaking miscarriage. She instantly knew adopting internationally was something she wanted to do, but Troy wasn’t so sure. After serving as missionaries in Haiti (Troy) and Paraguay (Shannon), they knew first-hand the difference that good medical care, good nutrition and love made in the lives of children – but Troy felt they were busy enough with their 4 children and worried about the cost and risks involved. Two more miscarriages and finally a surprise baby boy followed over the next 8 years, but the dream of adopting a child in need never left Shannon’s heart – and the reluctance to adopt never left Troy’s!
And then they saw her face …. When they saw Carrie’s photo, they both knew they had to do everything in their power to bring her home as quickly as possible! Instead of the planned second honeymoon for their 20th anniversary in 2017, they hope to travel to Eastern Europe instead to bring Carrie home where she will be welcomed by an older sister (17) and 4 older brothers (15-5). Shannon waited 2,434 days for Troy’s “yes” – and all along he was just waiting for the right little one to come along!
1/30/17 —AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL
Karen is a licensed professional counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist who has been working with children and families for over 20 years now. Through her career plans have progressed over time and even is able to run her private practice from her home now, there is something missing in her life — a child. She expected to be married with children of her own by now, but when life didn’t work out that way, Karen set her sights on choosing to offer a forever home to an older waiting child who has never had parents to call her own.
Karen began her search for a child who would best fit into her family and feels that God led her to “Nina,” a 12 year old girl from Eastern Europe, who has spent her entire life since she was six months old in the foster care system. Nina is described as a very caring, grateful, generous and sensitive child who also loves animals and just recently told her foster mother that she “really wants a dog!” Karen has adopted four rescue dogs that she uses in her therapy work with clients! Nina is also very excited about being adopted!
Given her professional background working with tough adolescents, Karen is uniquely prepared to help Nina transition as smoothly as possible to a new home and country. What Karey does need help with, however, is the daunting task of raising enough funds to cover the formidable fees required for international adoption. Your prayers and contributions are deeply appreciated and would enable this dream to happen! Thank you, and may God bless you!
12/20/16 — COMPILING DOSSIER
Our family was blessed with a miracle in 2014 when we learned after seventeen years of infertility we were expecting a baby. This little miracle would bring along an extra special combination of chromosomes aka Down syndrome. We couldn’t imagine the joy we had in store when he joined our family. Every milestone has been a celebration and we’ve learned to appreciate every moment.
When our family began to discuss adoption we knew we wanted to give a child with Down syndrome a home where they would know love and acceptance. We wanted to offer a home where they could thrive, grow, and know the love of a family.
After looking into the adoption process, we came across Reece’s Rainbow. After researching international adoption and learning the living conditions of children in orphanages our hearts were led to adopt via this route. We felt this was the way God was directing our path.
We are so excited to be welcoming Natalia and Ryder home! They will have two amazing big brothers waiting for them! Our journey is set before us and we ready for the joys as challenges.
3/27/2017–COMPILING DOSSIER
Nate and Sanae reside in the Seattle area with four wonderful boys. Though God has always surrounded them at church with families who’ve adopted special needs children, they never seriously considered adopting a child themselves – perhaps because of the trials they were facing –unemployment, finances, and health and perhaps because they felt they had a full house. Last year, God specifically called Sanae to consider adopting a girl with a special need. At first, she was scared and fearful of the unknowns, so she started praying. God quickly filled her heart with the joy and excitement of being blessed with a long awaited daughter! After all, Sanae felt, this is not very different from being surprise-blessed with biological children. God then worked in Nate’s heart over the next several weeks. Now they are both anxious to bring their beautiful little girl from Asia! The boys? They have been ecstatic from the very first suggestion. “Norah” will be well loved by all the sweet, big brothers, the parents, the grandparents as well as our church family who are all waiting for her arrival.
The Garvin family (including little “Norah”) are forever grateful for the donations already made by many people through RR and though RODS.
1/17/17 —COMPILING DOSSIER
The humanity in all of us is touched by thoughts of the loneliness experienced by any child waiting for adoption. The story is all the more profound if the child has some special medical need that means his/her passage into adulthood without the love and protection of a family will result in an already desperate prospect having a truly hopeless outlook–most especially when the special need secures little sympathy or help from in-country institutional sources.
This is a story about a little girl called Temperance, and the family she was meant to have.
Temperance has just turned 8. Her prospects of adoption are hugely compromised not only by her age but also and more particularly by her very special need—a chronic blood disorder which is not well understood in her country. She does well in school and is respectful to adults. She is pretty and sweet, but she will not survive under the current circumstances.
The Sims married later in life but faced the prospect of a childless marriage because Dean had the exact same medical condition that Temperance has. Consistent care, persistence, intelligent medical management and the advance of science not only enabled him to manage this condition and live an active, healthy life but it allowed Mary and Dean to have two healthy biological children. This story, if we had space to share the details, would itself leave you watery eyed in terms of its improbability.
Mary and Dean want to try to give something back by way of thanks for their good fortune. Their age now puts them just over the line of ineligibility for many adoption programs, but their preparedness to embrace Temperance into their family and their unique ability to offer medical care and personal experience in successfully managing her condition has opened up an opportunity for them to adopt Temperance. The cost of this adoption (nearly $60,000) is a harrowing obstacle even after making sacrifices and putting aside other wants and needs as all adoptive parents must do. The high cost is due not only to the extensive in-country fees, but also to the requirement for a six-week stay in country for the whole family.
They are resolved to make it happen. They feel they have to. Without this lifeline, Temperance would seem to have little chance at a full and happy life. In fact, now that she is eight, she may be moved to the school for children with mental challenges, which is where many children with miscellaneous conditions seem to end up. This would be a terrifying prospect even for an adult, but imagine yourself looking through the eyes of a smart and aware, but defenseless, little girl! Even without that, she could find herself suffering extreme prejudice and hardship upon aging out, due to her health condition (if she remains healthy long enough to age out) as well as having spent time in a school for mentally challenged children (of which she was not one). In the arms of her family she would be loved and nurtured and have her condition safely managed so that she could have a full, happy and long life of achievement and strong relationships.
We hope you will join us in bringing this precious child home, and saving a soul worth saving. Maybe in the process, we can begin to break down the bureaucratic paradigms that prevent other children in similar circumstances from finding salvation. But for now—Temperance.
3/15/17—COMPILING DOSSIER
Hello! We are the Chinchak Family from Central Florida and we hope to be the Forever Family for a special little boy in Eastern Europe. It is such an honor to be returning to Reece’s Rainbow for this adventure.
Throughout 2015 we worked especially hard to earn the privilege to become the family to a little boy, also from Eastern Europe, who has Down Syndrome. We can not express how much he has brightened our lives and our home. What a joy it would be to add another child to our home.
Throughout the the upcoming year we will again be fundraising, making and baking, and sowing into the needs of other families and we are excited!
If you feel led to assist us in this journey we would appreciate anything and everything you can offer. God Bless and Happy New Year!
3/13/17—HOME STUDY COMPLETE
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at ASecondChanceFamily.blogspot.com
Chris and Amy have been married for twelve years, and have hearts for growing their family through adoption. They have five young children, aged 1-9 years old, four of whom are adopted from Ethiopia, USA and China. They believe that family is more than blood, and built through love. Though some may say their hands are full, they firmly believe their hearts have more love to share.
With joyful hearts they ask for your prayerful support as their family embarks on a new chapter of life’s journey: bringing home a ten year old daughter from Asia. They are ever thankful for all who advocated for “Calina” over the past eight years until God prepared their hearts to bring her home.
The Weatons have chosen to name her Teresa, after Saint Teresa of Calcutta, a woman who “got it” with being Christ to those around her, and inspired us to change the world with little acts of big love. St Teresa’s Feast Day is September 5th, the day Chris and Amy got engaged!
The Weatons’ yearn to have her home, but if adoption has taught them anything time and time again, it’s to trust in His timing! Until then, their five children take turns with Teresa’s picture next to them in an empty chair at the dinner table each night, and pray that she can feel their love from across the ocean.
5/11/17 —USCIS APPROVED
Joseph and Samantha Siebold’s decision to add to their family through adoption began in November 2015. They never could have guessed the many ups and downs they would experience when they began.
One year from making the commitment to adopt – after things going so very unexpectedly – they have had their hearts opened wider than ever. The big picture here is one they never could have envisioned or created on their own. Their story is one they never would have written for themselves. The world is an imperfect place full of imperfect people. But, if all of us come together in small ways the world can be changed.
They are so honored and excited to become this beautiful girl’s adoptive family! Adoption is never perfect because it comes from loss. The Siebolds’ goal is to meet “Roxy” where she is at and give her everything they have to give. She deserves the world (and more) and they want to try to change it for her!
(You can help them change her world too!)
When she joins the Siebold family, “Roxy” will have a Mama and Daddy ready to unconditionally love and advocate for her. She will have two big sisters and a big brother to dote on her for a lifetime. Not to mention a big extended family and community to support and embrace her.
3/15/17—COMPILING DOSSIER
Read more about the Siebolds and follow the family’s adoption (and beyond!) through Samantha’s blog: www.NonfictionFairytale.com
The Turner Family would like to introduce you to a very special little boy. This is their child, Marcus!
Although they do not know Marcus yet, Carl and Martha are adopting him from Eastern Europe. What they do know about Marcus is this:
He has never known the warm and loving embrace of a mother, or the joy of a piggy-back ride from a father. He doesn’t know what it feels like to be tucked in and kissed goodnight, warm and safe in a caring home. He has yet to receive full medical attention, proper, nutritious food, a childhood that allows him to be a child and an environment where he can thrive and flourish and reach his full potential. He needs a loving family the most.
The Turners cannot wait to bring Marcus home, to hold him in our arms, to read stories with him, to watch him play with his big sister, to take him to Sunday School, and always provide a hand for him to hold as he grows. No words can capture the true joy and excitement we feel as we anticipate the blessing of his presence in our home.
Carl and Martha would like to invite you to be a part of our adoption. They have two goals, the first is to create a community of friends, family and neighbors, locally and globally, who are ready and excited to welcome our Marcus into their lives and will commit to pray for our family over the next few months. The 2nd goal is to raise funds to bring Marcus home. Thank you for joining the Turners in this journey both in prayer and in financial support.
2/19/17—HOMESTUDY COMPLETE; AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL
Follow the family’s adoption journey on their blog at: responsivelove.weebly.com
