Linda Duncan is another one of our very special single moms to lots of angels with special needs!  She has 6 domestically adopted children right now and three other little girls that she has been fostering and is in the process of adopting.  Most people would think that 9 children are more than enough!  But God has put two very special little girls on her heart, and over the years, she has learned to do as He suggests!    Linda is hoping to adopt Natalija and Emilja from Latvia.  The girls are both 7 years old and have Down syndrome.

Linda was originally hoping to adopt two little girls from the institution in Ukraine, but recent changes to Ukraine's adoption law is now preventing her from adopting them :(  Margarita and Katerina are still waiting for their forever family.  But Linda has not given up, despite her heartbreak, and will not step forward to change the lives of two little girls would probably never have been adopted.  We are so proud of her resolve and faith!  Latvia does not provide any photos of the children prior to dossier submission, so this is truly a leap of faith!

Linda fell in love with a little girl with Down Syndrome 40 years ago.  She was 16 and little Coleen was 4.  She was in the State School for the Retarded and Linda was a volunteer through a school project.    She visited Coleen every weekend for almost two years.  She wanted her parents to adopt Coleen and bring her home.  But folks didn’t do that then.  People put babies with DS IN institutions, they didn’t bring them home.  Sadly, the conditions in the State School back in the 1960’s were much like it is in the institutions in Eastern Europe now.  

Linda couldn’t save Coleen from that life then, but in her honor she is hoping to rescue these two little girls from the Mental Institution they    are in.    She has had a blessed life with a family, friends, community and country that have given her a safe and secure environment to attempt whatever she dreamed.  She's had terrific jobs that gave her opportunities beyond what she ever thought she would have.  God has always provided for her, but she has always prided herself on being independent and able to take care of herself.  But now she finds herself in the situation where she needs help to make this dream come true.  That is a humbling experience in itself! 

As with every child that God has decided to bless her with, things are falling into place with every piece of paper and document on the list of things to do.    Linda says, "I just keep praying for guidance that I’m doing His will not mine!"

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” Joshua 14:25

Please help Linda with your financial gifts to bring Emilija and Natalija home and into a loving, safe, family environment!

11/17/08---APPOINTMENT IS 11/30!

We have $900 in our  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of our adoption!

Click here to sponsor Emilija and Natalija for the Duncan Family

The Kaysers are from Cornelius, NC and are a family who decided to adopt for the simple reason of adding to their family.  They have three children now: Griffin 11, Grant 3, Garrett 2.  They started their journey to adopt from Eastern Europe and through the work of the Holy Spirit they were led to pursue adopting a special needs child.  After looking and praying, they found their little Andrey and will rename him Grady Andrey Kayser once their adoption is completed.  Their 3 year-old, Grant, has the same birth date as Grady, as well as the heart for a little buddy to grow up with.  His other brothers and sister are so excited to add him as a brother.  They will also be adopting a 6-7 year-old girl from the same region.  Shad and Jennifer are tremendously excited, as well, about bringing him into their family and raising him to be a Godly man. 

11/17/08---APPOINTMENT IS JANUARY 22, 2009!

I have $600 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow the Kayser family's adoption journey on their blog at www.thekaysers.blogspot.com

Rick and Kristy Newbold are a very special family.   They have JUST come home from Ukraine with our little Roma (John Paul now), and will be going back to get little Dasha in October.  They have a beautiful daughter in Heaven named Chloe that had Down Syndrome.  Chloe was diagnosed with Leukemia and after relapsing in her treatment went to be with Jesus a month after her second birthday.   Despite losing her, knowing her increased their faith in God and completely changed their perspective on life.  Now they focus less on the problems in life and more on Heaven.  They learned so much about Down Syndrome and were given the opportunity to meet other children with Down Syndrome.  They fell completely in love not only with our Chloe, but all  children with Down syndrome.  They are God’s little miracles.  They were so blessed to be chosen by God to parent baby Chloe.  She gave them so much that they  want to give back to another child like her.   

The Newbolds prayed for a miracle for God to heal Chloe.  God chose to heal her in Heaven.   They miss her greatly, but they believe when God closes one door He opens another.   We all have a purpose in life and maybe Chloe’s was to come here and prepare us to open our home to another child like her.    God has been preparing their  hearts for adoption over the last couple of years.    The Newbolds miss Chloe so much, but look forward to the blessing God has already given them in the chance to adopt Roma and Dasha and give them the life they deserve.

Although they were hoping to adopt both children at the same time, little Dasha won't be registered until October.   Roma was facing imminent institutionalization.  They decided to go forward to get Roma first, and will make a second trip for Dasha.   This will be a very expensive venture, so your financial help will be greatly appreciated!

11/17/08---DOSSIER SUBMITTED!

I have $25 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow along with the Newbold family's adoption journey on their blog at http://newboldfamilyadoption.blogspot.com/ 

Click here to sponsor Dasha for the Newbold Family

Kevin and Joy McClain are no strangers to international adoption.   They adopted our precious little Sasha from Ukraine in February of 2008, and are hoping to adopt Roman from there as well!   Roman was living in the same orphanage as Sasha, but unfortunately, he has already been transferred to the institution.   They are working frantically to get all of their paperwork completed so they can get him home as quickly as possible.

Back to back international adoptions are VERY costly, so please do all you can to help this family afford the high cost of rescuing a second of our little ones in less than a year!

 11/17/08---DOSSIER SUBMITTED!

I have $120 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow the McClain family's adoption journey on their blog at www.considertheadoptionoption.blogspot.com

Click here to sponsor Roman for the McClain Family

Eric and Michelle McConnell have stepped forward to rescue our darling Darina!   Darina is an "other angel".  She was born with cerebral palsy, and is living in an orphanage where several of our families have already adopted.   Their dossier is complete already!   They found Darina at the last minute and have chosen to bring her home!

The McConnells have had a heart for international adoption since before they were married.  Michelle remembers holding a 4-day-old baby who’d been abandoned on the streets of Brazil while on a ministry trip with her youth group at 15 years old, and thinking then that one day she hoped to make a difference.  Eric also traveled, helping to build churches and support children’s ministries in Mexico.  It wasn’t until their birth children, 2 boys and a girl, reached 9, 8, and 6 that they felt the time was “now”.  After many long evening talks at the local Starbucks and much prayer, they committed to travel to Ukraine in search of little Mary.   

With their dossier completed in only a few short months’ time, it seemed the only thing to do was wait.  But then Michelle got to know Christine by following the story of little Dennis.  That led her to find Darina on Reece’s Rainbow, and the rest is history (or HIS-story as we like to say).   

Eric and Michelle have a child with some special needs that require therapy and extra accommodations, so they feel specially prepared to welcome and support little Mary (Darina’s) challenges that go along with what appears to be a mild case of identified Cerebral Palsy.  They look forward to welcoming her and know that they are the ones who will be blessed by God’s granting them this wonderful gift.

The family's dossier is already complete, so your help with their last minute fundraising will SO appreciated!!  

I have $4405 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow the adoption journey of the McConnell family on their blog at http://fromnctoukraine.blogspot.com/

Click here to sponsor Darina for the McConnell Family

John and Mary Ellen Keno represent our very first CANADIAN family to adopt through our ministry!   Most of Canada does not permit families to adopt children with life-long special needs, but British Colombia does, so this family is very special to us and we are so excited to have them!   They will also be our first family to adopt from BULGARIA!  They are hoping to adopt our little Valentin.

The Kenos have been married for 23 years and God has blessed them with 7 beautiful children; three young adult daughters 22, 20 and 18 and four domestically (from Canada) adopted blessings 13, 8, 7, and 6.  Two of their adopted sons (Brent 13 and David 6) have Down Syndrome, and are so precious to them.  John is a home renovator and Mary Ellen is a stay at home mom.  The family lives on beautiful Vancouver Island, B.C., on six acres and have a dog, a horse and two cats.   

7/16/08---DOSSIER SUBMITTED!

I have $335 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow the Keno family's adoption journey on their blog at http://http://www.kenofamilyadoption.blogspot.com

Click here to sponsor Valentin for the Keno family

Louise and Stewart Puderbaugh, or “Lou and Stew,” are hoping to adopt our little Olena in Eastern Europe.  The group has prayed fervently for her, as she struggles with a heart condition and pulmonary hypertension.   She is almost 6 years old, so we are so grateful to this family for being willing to bring her home!

The Puderbaughs have been married for 4 years, with a blended family total of 19 children, ranging in ages from 1 to 30’s. Eleven of them are adopted, many of them with special needs.   Most of the children are grown and gone from the home now, and Mommy has fallen in love with Olena on Reece’s Rainbow.   Mom is a pediatric ward nurse, so her experience will be of amazing value for Olena!   The couple has made the commitment to do whatever it takes to bring Olena home to their family, and brothers and sisters are already excited! They plan to document their journey on their blog site at www.puderbaughfamily.blogspot.com .

The Puderbaughs are on a fast-track to complete their dossier, and hope to travel for Olena THIS YEAR.   Olena does not have any grant funds available through Reece's Rainbow at this time.  Your generous donations will be of immense help to this family, and for their upcoming surgical expenses for her heart surgery.

11/12/08---APPOINTMENT IS DECEMBER 5!

I have $598.82 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Click here to sponsor Olena for the Puderbaugh family

Evan and Lori Harris have been married for five years and have two beautiful boys.  They are hoping to adopt two our "Other Angels", Yuri and Natalia.  These two are not related, but they sure could be!   Both Yuri and Natalia are already living in the institution, so this is a big leap of faith for the Harris family, and an URGENT one at that!

Loris has always wanted to adopt.  When she brought up international adoption after the birth of their second son, Evan was thrilled with the idea.  When they saw Yuri and Natalia on Reece’s Rainbow, they fell in love and couldn’t imagine leaving them in mental institutions to spend the rest of their lives!  One of their bio sons is mildly delayed and they could only imagine that if he had been born to an EE family and placed in an orphanage, what kind of life he might face and the possibility of being institutionalized at a young age. 

Evan is a Staff Sergeant in the Army and recently returned from a 15 month deployment.  The family hopes to have him at home for a long time to come!  Lori is a stay at home mom most of the time, but is trying to return to work part time to save money for their adoption.  Your financial gifts and sponsorship would be a huge help for this very special family!  Their oldest son is very excited about getting a big sister and brother.  He was very adamant and told them, “No baby, want a BIG sister!” 

11/4/08---DOSSIER SUBMITTED!

We have $650 in our  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of our adoption!

Follow the Harris family's adoption journey on their blog at www.theharrisfamilyest2003.blogspot.com

Kyle and Bethany Balsis are hoping to adopt little Addison from Russia.  Isn't she gorgeous???

Kyle and Bethany have been married for 8 years. Kyle works in human resources and Bethany works for the federal courts. They have two children, Mason (age 4) and Payton (age 2).  Payton has Down syndrome and has expanded their hearts in such a way that they now desire to adopt another child with Down syndrome.  They feel blessed to be able to add another child with Down syndrome to their family.

The Balsis family is a member of Bethal Lutheran Church in Manassas, VA.  They are very involved in their local DS group, the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia, and participate in the Buddy Walk each year.  Mom is also a volunteer for the Parent to Parent Program, which is a new parent mentor program. Through Bethany's business, www.thepolkadotplatypus.com, they support organizations that are involved in Down syndrome research, awareness and education. 

Their adoption is going very quickly already, so they need all the help they can get in raising funds so they can bring her home soon!
 

10/30/08---FINAL COURT IS NOVEMBER 12!

I have $2010.70 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow the Balsis family's adoption journey on their blog at http://dreamingonanangel.blogspot.com/ or www.thebalsisfamily.blogspot.com

Click here to sponsor the Balsis family

Our little Magdalena finally found her family!    Gary and Jody Campbell have been married for 18 years.  They have 3 adult children who are now married and have their own families.  They also have 4 domestically adopted children, three of whom have special needs.   They have always wanted to adopt a child with Down syndrome, and Magda is the one!  They are so excited to have her home, and are hopeful for a fast appointment to travel to Serbia.  They actually hope to travel as soon as JUNE!

The Campbells are homestudy ready, and will have their INS approval soon.  Your donations right now can help them complete their adoption of Magdalena and bring her home even faster! 

10/29/08---TRAVELING NOVEMBER 10TH!

I have $796.82 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow the Campbell family's journey on their adoption blog at www.THECAMPBELLJOURNEY.BLOGSPOT.COM

Click here to sponsor Magdalena for the Campbell Family

Tony and Karen Harding are hoping to adopt little For from Hong Kong.  They are strong Christians, and are thrilled to have been called to ministry in this way.  From their profile:  "Being asked why we want to adopt is like asking us how we know that Jesus lives.  So for our answer, we're going to borrow the lyrics to the old hymn.  "You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart."  Our call to adopt is exactly the same way; it lives very deeply within our hearts. "

For Tony, adoption is very natural because he grew up around it.  His brother adopted a 4 year old boy from Guatemala over 7 years ago.  Tony watched as Otto made the transition to a new culture, a new language, a new family, and a new life... and his heart grew as he watched the process.  Tony is deeply moved and grieved by the number of children in this world that are in need of parents (and most of all, love), and he yearns to offer both to at least one of those precious many. 

The Harding family actually considered growing their entire family through adoption, but God intervened and they conceived a daughter in September of 2004. During the pregnancy, they were told that she had a high chance of having Down Syndrome after a routine sonogram showed a spot on her heart.  Even though she was born with no physical or intellectual delays, their desire and readiness to welcome a child with Down Syndrome children was already formed!

 The desire to parent a child with DS has only grown stronger over the past 2 years.  Finding Reece’s Rainbow was an answer to two very specific prayers… one: to adopt, and two: to parent a child with Down’s.  They are very excited about For, and anxiously await his arrival.  They are clinging to one verse from the Bible in particular throughout this process.  It's from Psalm 61:2, "Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."    They strongly believe God is calling them to a higher rock... the next level of faith and trust in Him, and the next level of commitment in our family and marriage. 

10/20/08---DOSSIER APPROVED, HOPE TO TRAVEL IN 6 WEEKS!

I have $50 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Christina and Matt Schafer are college sweethearts and the very lucky parents of four beautiful biological children – Cade, 4 ½, Parker, 3, Macy, 1 ½ and Dawson, 5 months! The saying ‘If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart” rings very true for this family! Christina is a stay at home mom and Matt works in insurance and is also finishing his PhD in American History. Their days are busy but wonderful and they are enjoying watching their children grow up as best friends.

Adoption was something Christina and Matt talked about from the beginning. Matt’s aunt runs an adoption agency and both of his cousins were adopted. Their talk of adoption was put on the back burner when they had their first baby together, but with Dawson’s birth it brought a renewed interest and eventual determination to realize this little dream. Dawson was born with Down syndrome and though that one little fact is not the biggest part of who he is, it is a fact that has forever changed the course of this family’s future. He has been the greatest inspiration and source of joy since his arrival and his parents have become his best advocates and hope to advocate for other kids with this misunderstood but incredibly life-enhancing condition. 

It is for that reason that their long-ago musings of adoption have led to their hope to adopt precious little Angela in Eastern Europe. In desperate need of major heart surgery that babies born in the U.S. would receive by 6 months old, Christina and Matt realize that this journey might still have a tragic outcome.   But as Dawson has taught so well in his short 5 months, however scary the unknowns of a situation,  love says forge ahead!

9/5/08---DOSSIER SUBMITTED

I have $1061.14 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow the Schafer family's adoption journey on their blog at http://4stairsteps.blogspot.com

Click here to sponsor Angela for the Schafer-Litchfield Family

Amy Winkle is another very special lady, a single mom to multiple children with Down syndrome.     She is hoping to adopt our a little boy with Down syndrome from Russia!   She is working through WACAP, and this will be a blind referral, so we are very excited for her and can't wait to see who the lucky little man is!

Earlier this year, Amy was hoping to adopt one of our waiting children in Ukraine.  But Ukraine changed it's law mid-Spring, disallowing single parents from adopting.  Amy was so sad, but did not give up her dream of adopting another little boy with Down syndrome.  We are so glad she has continued her pursuit!

Her first born son is 21 and has Down syndrome.   His name is Jimmy.  She has one other typical bio son who is 16 1/2.   After Jimmy was born, she was inspired to become a special education teacher.   She always wanted more children, so in 2005, she adopted her third son Caleb from Russia.   Caleb also has DS and he has been such a joy to their family! Jimmy and Ben had each other to play and grow up together with and Amy really wanted Caleb to have a brother around his age to grow up with also.   She began looking online at photo listings and a little over a year ago, discovered Reece's Rainbow.   Amy has been a tremendous financial sponsor for many of our waiting children, and is a very active member of our Yahoo group. 

10/2/08---APPT DATE IS OCTOBER 21ST!

I have $869.44 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow the adoption journey of the Winkle family on their blog at www.amyandsons.blogspot.com

Click here to sponsor the Winkle family

Michael and Alison McKay are hoping to adopt our little Eugene in Eastern Europe! Their facilitator has been able to prevent his transfer to the institution, and the McKays are frantically completing their paperwork to submit their dossier for him!

The McKays currently have 4 children.  They have been married for 9 years and live in Ventura, CA.  Mike works as a sales manager and Alison is a stay-at-home mom.  Their family is very excited to expand and look forward to this new blessing. 

Please keep them and Zhenya (Tate) in your prayers.

The family has been able to complete their paperwork very quickly, so your sponsorship now is of great importance, as they largest portion of cost will come in the next few months!   Tate will be home before Christmas!!

10/7/08---APPOINTMENT IS OCTOBER 23RD!

Click here to sponsor Zhenya (Tate)  for the McKay Family

Derek and Renee Loux (pronounced LOWKS) are hoping to adopt our little Sam with hydrocephaly and Milo with Down syndrome from Eastern Europe!   The Louxs were married on August 1,1992.  Their life vision was to go to the Marshall Islands as missionaries and pour themselves out ministering to the many hopeless teenagers dying as a result of alcoholism and suicide.   

In 1994 this dream came to a sudden halt when their firstborn, Josiah, was born with severe spina bifida.  Paralyzed from the chest down and dependent upon machines for oxygen and nourishment, Josiah lived a difficult but beautiful life for 2 ½ years.  In June of 1996, Josiah died from complications. God's relentless love and amazing grace carried Derek and Renee through this painful time.  As a result, they carry a message of hope for those who suffer, and a firm resolve and testimony that the Lord truly rewards those that seek him earnestly.  

In 1997 the Lord blessed Renee and Derek with their biological daughter Sophia and in May of 2000  their little “KK” came into the world.   In 2002 the Louxs adopted three young girls from the Marshall Islands. Their twins, "Teyolla" and "Keyolla", were adopted in 2002 and Telma, who underwent life saving surgery in ‘04, was adopted by the Louxs in January of 2006.  Derek and Renee were swept up in the river of God’s passionate heart for the orphans.

It has been an amazing journey Derek and Renee have been on as they’ve watched God restore their lives and family, truly bringing forth beauty from ashes.   Derek and Renee have spent their lives in missions, pastoral ministry and ministry to the poor, and believe they are called be a place of refuge for orphaned children.  They are excited beyond words to be  adopting precious little Sam and Milo.  They are grateful for any outside support in this endeavor.

UPDATE!!   The Loux family is hoping to adopt a THIRD little boy from the same orphanage.    Your prayers and financial support for this family would be so greatly appreciated!!

9/18/08---DOSSIER SUBMITTED!

We have $525 in our  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of our adoption!

Follow the Loux family's adoption journey at www.thelouxfamily1.blogspot.com 

Click here to sponsor Sam & Milo & Mikey for the Loux Family

Steve and Jamie Yoder have been married for four years.  They are a special family, because they have chosen to adopt a child with Down syndrome as their very first child!  They are excited about being first-time parents as they await the adoption of our little Nazar.    

The couple has often discussed the idea of adoption and, after visiting Reece’s Rainbow, decided to take the steps to make this a reality.  They feel honored to be able to bring a special child home.

Jamie has been a special education teacher for the past thirteen years, running specialized programs for children with developmental delays.   She finds much joy working with her students.    Steve is the director of the local arboretum.  He also enjoys giving public presentations on the natural and human history of the southwest. 

Steve and Jamie met at, and are members of, the local Methodist church.  They enjoy spending time with their families, camping, cross-country skiing, and hiking with their dog Arthur.  The two are looking forward to following God’s call.

Please support the Yoder family in their adoption of Nazar!  This is a huge leap of faith for them, and we are honored to be a part of this special journey with them!

9/17/08---APPT IS OCTOBER 21!

I have $12,700 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow the Yoder family's adoption journey on their blog at www.theroadtonazareth.blogspot.com

Tyler and Jill Pierce have stepped forward to adopt a precious set of TWINS from our "Other Angels" page!   Nick has Cerebal Palsy, and his twin sister, Nastya, is "typical".   Nick  is quite weak from being bedridden due to his CP (cerebral palsy).  Even though he benefits greatly from being in an orphanage which receives humanitarian aid, and has a loving staff and a caring director, he needs a family.   He spends his days confined to a crib since he is unable to walk, talk or feed himself. When Nick reaches the age of 4 he will be transferred to a mental institution where the chances of being adopted a almost nonexistent and the mortality rate is very high.

Tyler and Jill have been married for almost 8 years, and have one beautiful daughter, Anna, who is 6 years old. After she was born, they experienced some infertility struggles.   For the past 2 years, Anna has been praying for “a brother, a sister, & a baby”. Recently they began to explore adoption, but felt that international adoption was right for them.  Jill's brother-in-law, who is from Belarus, strongly suggested for them to look at Ukraine, which they did.

Then they met Valerie Rieben and her family, who have just successfully adopted a child with special needs from Ukraine AND Uzbekistan through Reece's Rainbow!   Valerie told the Pierces about Nick and Nastya, who are living in the same orphanage as Valera was.   When they saw their pictures, they just knew Nick and Nastya were "it"! 

This is the Pierces' first international adoption.  Please help make little Anna's prayers come true and sponsor their adoption of Nick and Nastya, saving Nick from a mental institution.   The family is expediting their home study and dossier, and they hope to travel this year for the children.  

We are honored to have them as part of our Reece's Rainbow family, and look forward to the tremendous gains that both children make once they home with their new parents!

UPDATE:  Regrettably, Nastya has been adopted by another family who was seeking a healthy, typical child.   We are all crushed, and the family is devastated.  The Pierces are firm in their commitment to adopt Nick, and hope to adopt another little girl if they are able to.

9/12/08---APPOINTMENT IS OCTOBER 15!

Follow the Pierce family's adoption journey on their blog at http://foreverfamilyadoption.blogspot.com/

We have $1347.66 in our  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of our adoption!

 Click here to Sponsor Nick & Nastya for the Pierce Family