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These are the families who have taken a leap of faith and committed to adopt one or more of our orphaned children most recently. Your continued financial support will give them the strength and courage to continue this journey! |
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These are the families who have taken a leap of faith and committed to adopt one or more of our orphaned children most recently. Your continued financial support will give them the strength and courage to continue this journey! |
Jennifer and Ryan have been hosting children from Eastern Europe, and are now on a journey to add these siblings to their family. With a 5 month old baby and busy 7 year old they started on their adoption adventure!
The children they are adopting are a part of a larger sibling group. They were hoping to adopt all 7 children, but at this time they are only able to adopt 4 of the children.
4/17/2018 — AWAITING COURT DATES
Shannon and Elizabeth always expected that adoption would one day be a part of how their family grew. They just weren’t sure exactly what it would look like or when. Shannon was adopted into a loving home at 17 days old and adoption plays a big role in Elizabeth’s family too. The oldest of 4 girls, all 3 of Elizabeth’s younger sisters and their husbands have adopted children. The number of grandchildren on that side of the family currently number 14… with 8 having been adopted through a combination of international, US domestic, and foster-to-adopt. It was through Elizabeth’s youngest sister and brother-in-law that the Bradleys were first introduced to and older girl when she was hosted by them in the summer of 2016. After that summer hosting, Elizabeth found herself regularly thinking about and praying for this girl. In time, she and Shannon began praying about adopting her. Their adoption journey has been one of multiple twists and turns involving lots of research, education, and talking with other adoptive families (especially who had adopted older girls). In July 2017 the Bradleys enjoyed meeting and spending time with her when she was hosted again by Elizabeth’s sister and brother-in-law. Now Shannon and Elizabeth and their 5 year old daughter are excited to be adding a “big sister” to their family.
4/12/2018 — HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Scot and Jackie are lucky to be true High School sweethearts. They met a month into their Freshman year of High School and have been together ever since. They got married shortly after Scot graduated college in 2009. Scot and Jackie always knew they wanted to adopt, but were first blessed with two amazing boys. The boys are now 7 and 4. After struggling with multiple miscarriages, they have decided it is time to take the leap of faith and pursue the adoption they dreamed of since before getting married.
Jackie has followed the Reece’s Rainbow page since before they got married. She has always had a passion for children with Down Syndrome, ever since her first mission trip to Camp Echoing Hills when she was in middle school. One day while scrolling through the photo listings, she came across a little girl who stole her heart. After deep thought and prayer, Scot and Jackie knew it was time to start their adoption journey to bring their daughter home. Their 2 boys are so excited to become big brothers!
Scot and Jackie appreciate all the love and support they’ve been shown since announcing their decision to adopt. They also appreciate any help that will be given in the future to help them bring their little girl home.
4/3/2018 — HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Brett and Jessica met 17 years ago while attending college in upstate New York. They currently live in Maryland with their 5 biological children. Clayton (13), Ava (11), Lyla (9), Allen (4) and Pierce (2), are the loves of their lives. Brett is a mechanical engineer and works as project developer at Ameresco Inc and Jessica owns an early intervention preschool for children diagnosed with Autism. They enjoy spending time as a family going for bike rides, playing board games and spending time outside. After Pierce was born they thought their family was complete, however God had other plans. In August 2017, Brett and Jessica started considering International Adoption. After working with children with special needs for over 15 years, Jessica knew that if they decided to adopt, they would adopt a waiting child with special needs. One afternoon Jessica called an adoption agency to inquire about a little girl who was diagnosed with multiple medical needs. The agency told her that she had already been matched but there was a sibling group that was available for hosting and adoption. When Brett and Jessica received pictures of the siblings, they immediately fell in love. The ages of the siblings were 7, 5 and 4. They had been in the orphanage for 2 years.
After hosting the older 2 siblings this past Christmas, Brett and Jessica knew that their story didn’t end there. After the children returned to their orphanage in January they started the journey to adopt all 3. All children, regardless of life circumstances, medical needs and disabilities deserve to grow up in a loving and stable family. The 3 siblings that Brett and Jessica are adopting are amazing. They are smart, loving and full of joy despite the circumstances that they have been through. The youngest needs medical care, medical evaluations and proper therapy for her to develop to her fullest potential.
Brett and Jessica believe that serving those who are the most vulnerable is one of life’s biggest blessings. When you pour love and compassion into those who need it the most, your dreams will start to come true. Over the 3 weeks that they hosted the children, they taught us more about the goodness of God than we ever thought possible. They were given hundreds of hugs and kisses and they can’t wait to give them more. They did more for Brett and Jessica during their 3 weeks stay than they could ever do in a lifetime. They are working hard and praying to raise enough money to bring the children home as soon as possible. The fees associated with adopting 3 children at once are extremely high. Their country also requires 3 trips to finalize the adoption. Thank you for your support and prayers to help bring our 3 precious children home.
4/2/2018 — HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Jared and Debbie have been married for 20 years and in that time they have grown their family in a very exceptional way. They both knew they wanted to have a large family, but through multiple IVF cycles, IUI’s, and miscarriages were still unable to have the large family they wanted. These challenges brought them closer to one another and in time helped them realize the plan God had for them. In 2008 they were finally able to conceive and carry a baby to term. In 2009 their first son and only biological child was born. He was really a miracle and special for so many reasons. Carter was born with Down Syndrome and through him, Jared and Debbie, began to see the world through a different lens. The experience and joy that came from having a child with Down Syndrome motivated them to be more involved and educated. It also inspired the conversation to adopt and provide a home for children like their sweet Carter. That is where their connection with Reece’s Rainbow started and their adoption journey began. Since 2012 the Wingfield’s have adopted children from multiple countries with different needs and abilities. They are excited to be on this journey and over the years have received so much needed support and prayers from friends and family. They feel, though, that they are not done and have room in their home and in their hearts for one more special child.
When Jared and Debbie began the process of adoption again they came across “Bo” and absolutely fell in love with him. He has the kindest and sweetest smile and they know he will be the perfect addition to their family. Due to his urgent medical needs, the Wingfield’s are working quickly to get him home and get him the specialized care that he requires. They know that the greatest healer of all, though, is the love of a family. Jared and Debbie appreciate any and all the thoughts, prayers, and support they can receive.
“We think sometimes that poverty is being hungry, naked, and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty”– Mother Teresa
“It is our duty to love the unloved, help the helpless, and bring hope back to the hopeless” -Anthony Douglas.
4/2/2018 — HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Evan and Hope are high school sweethearts who have been together for 13 years and married for 7. Evan has been with the same company in sales since college and Hope is an Athletic Trainer at a local High School.
Hope always told Evan that she had dreamed of adopting a little girl from China since she was a young girl herself, but they never actually thought it would happen. Fast forward to 2013 and they were faced with the fact that they would not have biological children. They immediately knew that God was telling them Adoption was where He was taking them. Fast forward another 2 years and in May of 2015 they brought home their little girl Chandler through domestic adoption.
Hope found Reece’s Rainbow in 2016 and told Evan about the organization. She was always showing him children she saw listed and researched different countries and their adoption process. She told Evan she thought God was trying to tell her that this was the route they should take for their next child. Evan didn’t feel the same way to begin with. He had many worries and reservations about international adoption, but eventually he couldn’t deny God’s calling either and agreed that this was His plan. Hope came across Harper Grace’s file and immediately knew this was he child. It just so happens Chandler’s middle name is Grace as well so the Price’s knew it was meant to be.
The Price’s are so excited to bring this precious little girl home and watch her grow and thrive. Chandler is so excited to have a sister and tells everyone all about her and where she lives now.
3/28/2018 — HOMESTUDY NEARLY COMPLETE
Joe and Ronda fell in love while in high school where they met one night during a high school football game. A couple of years after graduation they were married and soon started their sweet family. They have been married and best friends for 23 years and have four beautiful children. Ronda has been a stay at home mom enjoying raising their children and Joe has worked for the phone company for the last 21 years. They enjoy their family time getting outdoors and hiking together. Family is very important to them, always putting their kids first and being involved in all their activities. Though the years as their family was growing they experienced the loss of two babies due to miscarriage which then started the conversations of adoption. They then had two rainbow babies three years apart, their youngest being born with Down syndrome. The beautiful experience of love and joy from their son being born with an extra chromosome inspired more conversations of adoption and in particular a child with Down syndrome. Ronda came across a photo of Davy from a fellow mom of two children with Down syndrome, one that they had adopted, who was advocating for Davy on Instagram. Ronda said she read the words “Be sure to show Davy’s picture and pray for him and for a family to adopt him…… Maybe that family is you?” Ronda felt a wave of emotions come over her and as she looked at Davy’s photo she knew in her heart that she was his mommy. Joe and Ronda soon after started the adoption process knowing Davy would complete their loving family. They are very excited to be on this journey and are trusting in the Lord as he leads them through this adoption. Joe and Ronda would love the support of prayers and the generosity of donations to raise funds to help bring their son Davy home.
3/23/2018 — COMPLETED HOME STUDY; AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL
Hi everyone! This may be one of the most humbling things Alex and I have had to do. We are asking for your help to bring our sweet boy home. Baby AJ is 1 year old and he is a beautiful boy with down syndrome. Due to his medical needs, the sooner we can get him home, the sooner we can provide him with resources he is now lacking. As you may know, this adoption will cost 20-30 thousand dollars.
A (not so) quick background: Those that know me, know that adoption has always been a calling of mine. It had nothing to do with my baby making ability, my desire to have my own children or anything else of that nature. It has always just been something in my heart that I knew I would pursue. Children are constantly on my mind. Alex and I have talked all about having babies, adopting babies and everything in between. Luckily, my husband is the kindest man I have ever known. He has always stood by my passions even when they sounded like pure madness. When I expressed my feelings on adopting to him very early in our relationship, he was with me 100 percent. We prolonged adding to our family when I was diagnosed with lupus. Afterwards, I had no idea when the right time for anything was. I prayed to God every night and asked him to guide me in the right path. I prayed that I would somehow know what I was supposed to do, and that I would be accepting of that regardless of what it was.
Why ?: So everyone has reasons for what they choose to do, especially in adoption. While I knew I would adopt, it wasn’t until a few years ago that I knew I was supposed to adopt a special needs child. I wont get into the details (research if you would like) but our country is very fortunate to have the resources, medical advances and programs that we do. I knew that if we adopted a beautiful child with needs, we could offer them so much. Who wouldn’t want to change a child’s life like that? Why wouldn’t I chose a child who needed me just a little bit more? To me, when I learned of hardships other countries face in dealing with special needs children, its a no brainer.
How did I know it was THIS baby: We have researched this process forever. Alex and I have visited the idea and revisited the idea numerous times. We just never felt like it was the right time. I felt like I was too sick. I didn’t know when I wanted be pregnant. We had to many medical bills and student loans. Funny fact, you will NEVER have the timing right for something like this.
We were at dinner one night and I ran into a woman I knew from my old job. The last time I saw her, she was in the process of adopting a beautiful baby boy. Alex and I went out to dinner one night and she was there with her lovely family. I looked up and there she is holding this precious little man, with his little blue glasses and denim overalls. My heart sank and I just grabbed him to snuggle. I remember tearing up in the moment. I told her again to keep us updated as she knew we were interested in adopting. She told me she was fundraising for another little boy who was a year old with Down syndrome. We chatted and she told me again about the little boy. I didn’t think much about it, but we exchanged numbers so I could see his photo. As soon as my phone went off and I saw him, again I teared right up. Alex said “no…I know that look Caitlin”. But he was smiling just as big. Needless to say…that is how we were introduced to this baby boy. I went home and continued to pray. I prayed hard and I prayed a lot. By the end of the week, he was already ours.
International adoptions are insanely expensive. I decided that day, that I would do whatever I had to do to bring this baby home to be with his family. After talking with many strong and amazing women, I learned that adopting a special needs child can be made easier by the number of grants out there. I learned that adoption has been possible for many because of grants and fundraising. I figured if they could do it, why couldn’t we. So this is where we are at. In the whirlwind of a process called adoption. Fighting and praying for our beautiful baby boy every single day.
3/22/2018 — HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Jimmie and Rhonda Cooke are excited to adopt their third child from Eastern Europe. The couple adopted two kids almost a year ago. They have four kids ranging from 17 to 5 years old. They would love to add one more to the family. A friend of the Cooke’s opened their eyes to adoption and it completely changed their lives forever. Jimmie works as a production foreman for an oil company in Texas, and Rhonda is a stay-at-home mother. With many prayers, God has lead them to adopting another child with Down syndrome. One of the children they adopted prior to this adoption had Down syndrome. He has completely changed their lives for the best. He has taught them to love with no strings and to be everyone’s friend. They eagerly await for the day they can call this child her son.
3/19/2018 — HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
Cassidy and Amanda have always had a special place in their hearts for adoptive families, and have discussed “what could be” since they were dating. they’ve always marveled at the idea of providing love, structure, safety and opportunity for a child whose story may not have involved these precious and sacred things.
When they were pregnant with Jane (3yo, their youngest) they decided that due to Amanda’s consistent health related pregnancy difficulties, and the evident worsening circumstances with Jane’s complications, they were done having babies — they were at peace with this! However, the lord had other ideas.. Just minutes after Jane was born, as the NICU team was trying to stabilize her, Amanda had the strongest impression that their family simply was not complete. She even partially expressed these thoughts to Cassidy, literally as Jane was trying to find her first breaths.
Since that day, they’ve wrestled with the idea of expanding their family. How? …Amanda’s body cannot hold up? What? …these promptings and impressions would come and go, but their persistence was ever so consistent. Who? …they’ve always slightly toyed with the idea of adopting an infant … When? …they’re getting older, and lives are hectic! At long last, they decided this past year that they needed to ponder deeply, pray with great intent, and finally come to a final decision..
In going through this process over several months, they experienced some of the most unforseen experiences they ever could have imagined. The process began with a half hearted decision to be finished having babies, but it became clear that they needed to put much more effort into finding answers, as they were still emotionally unsettled. As they continued to navigate the pursuit of answers, they were seemingly being blessed with new knowledge and new people in their lives which allowed for broadened perspective and realities.
Cassidy and Amanda are in the process of adopting the most precious little girl. She currently resides (in wait) in an orphanage. She is 3 years old, and she has Down Syndrome. She was born in June of 2014, and matter of factly, the same month they lost (what would have been) their third child. They “committed” to her the week of Thanksgiving, and received Pre-Approval to move forward with the adoption on December 1st. they already have a connection with her that is undeniable and quite prominent in their home. They have a goal to bring her home to her forever family before Christmas of 2018 and appreciate everyone’s support from the bottom of their hearts!
“I don’t care what your problem is, where you came from, what your background is, what your beliefs are, man LOVE conquers all.” -Dabo Sweeney
3/5/2018 — HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
The Johnston family is excited to be adopting for the third time, working quickly to bring home a little girl in need of a family.
God graciously introduced them to the blessing of special needs when their son Isaac was born in 2010, and it was through his birth and young life that they learned about the plight of orphans with special needs.
They have since welcomed their daughter Providence (with Down syndrome) home in 2014, and most recently, their son Slavik (who spent 15 years in an institution) who came home this past September. They are both doing well and enjoying the friendships that naturally come with large families.
The Johnstons are uniquely blessed with a community of friends and family who celebrate and value life and are grateful for others they continue to meet through organizations like Reece’s Rainbow.
4/2/2018 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE
The Harveys are a family of six from SC. Angie is a teacher assistant in the local elementary school in a kindergarten class. Chris is a captain in the local fire department that he has been a part of for 21 years. They have four children ages 13, 10, 5, and 4. They adopted their youngest two from Asia in 2014 and 2015.
Angie was adopted domestically into a wonderful family when she was two days old. Adoption has always been a huge part of her life. She knew as a small child that she would one day adopt. Soon after her parents passed away from cancer, she felt the calling stronger than ever. They quickly started the paperwork process to be matched with a child from Asia. It took two years from start to finish for the adoption. From the moment they laid eyes on their daughter, their lives were forever changed. Their hearts beat for the orphan and they wanted to be involved in orphan care some way or another. After being home for eight months with their newly adopted daughter, they saw the face of their youngest son in an email. They were not looking to adopt again but felt after learning more about this child that it was not a coincidence that they came across his picture. They immediately started the process to adopt him and brought him home 16 months after their first adoption. They spent the next year bonding as a new family of six.
Chris and Angie felt like their family was complete at this point. They looked into ways to be involved in orphan care. Angie followed another family on social media that was hosting a child from Asia for one month in their home. She and Chris got information on hosting and decided it was something they wanted to pursue. The only thing that was holding them back was the cost. They had used all the extra funds they had to adopt their two children from Asia. They worked hard to make things to sell in fundraisers to provide the funds to host. They went into hosting wanting to host a girl with Down syndrome. Once Angie saw the listing of the children that were available, she fell in love with a four year old BOY with Down syndrome. He came to their home in December 2016 and stayed for one month. Their intent on hosting was to advocate for him fiercely and find a family for him. They found a local family and couldn’t have been more excited. Shortly after the family applied to adopt him, his country did not allow them to move forward with the process. This left Chris and Angie devastated. They had fallen in love with this child and could not imagine him being without a family. After many tears, and seven months of prayer, Chris and Angie decided to make him their son. They started the process with no funds to do so. God has provided a way for the funds to be available every step of the way. They are getting closer to travel and larger sums will be due quickly. They are trusting that the Lord will see them through this and their son will come home and travel will not be held up due to lack of funds.
Chris and Angie are grateful for the support they have received this far and appreciate any donations that they receive. They are determined once this adoption is complete, that they will pay it forward to other adoptive families for years to come.
3/1/2018 — HOMESTUDY in PROCESS
