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Clik here to view. Meet the Howard Family! Greg and Angelina are college sweethearts who were on a mission to serve the Lord, wherever He may call. After graduating their first year, they got married and started their family. Before they had biological children they had a discussion that some time down the road, they hoped adoption would be a part of God’s story written on their family.

The Lord blessed them with 4 beautiful children, one of which has special needs. It was the most difficult time during their marriage when they found out that their son of 7-months had Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome. Yet with all the unknowns of their future, they accepted their fragile child and trusted that God had a plan for them, despite the pain and hardship and 24/7 care for their son. They knew God would be faithful to their family even when things just didn’t make sense.

Angelina, who was born in Ukraine, realized how blessed they were to be living in America and had access to so many resources. They had a support system from doctors, school, family, church, and support groups. Unfortunately, in many Eastern Countries that is not the case and most parents with special needs children are encouraged to place them in orphanages.

The Howard family hearts were greatly burdened for other children just like their son that would never have access to the support and medical care that has allowed them to thrive. Throughout the last three years, they have been following other families through Reece’s Rainbow. Through this organization they have witnessed countless testimonies of such children being adopted into loving homes, provided medical care and love, and seen those children thrive as a result! Regardless of what condition a child is born with or what our limited perception of their abilities and potential of them are, they all belong in families.

Out of conviction, they simply began praying that God would so kindly show them how to move forward with adoption. More specifically, that the Lord will place a particular child in their hearts and show them who to adopt. One night after laying the children down to bed, they saw the profile of a certain boy and felt that confirming peace and love in an instant. They just knew that the Lord answered their prayer! Since then, they have not been able to escape the thought of how much Jesus loved them and gave His own life to them. We were all adopted into Gods family and they feel it is God’s love in them compelling them to love this boy unconditionally.

“We love because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19

Unfortunately, with international adoption there are many moving parts. Please consider partnering with them through prayer and financial support to bring their new son home.

3/13/2020 — AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL

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Clik here to view.Meet the Carper family from central Pennsylvania. Jason and Candid met the 2nd day of their high school senior year in 2001 and have been together ever since. Jason and Candid were married after dating almost 4 years and Candid competed nursing school. They have 2 boys, Colton who is 11 and Jackson who is 6. They also have 2 labrador retrievers named Gracin and Hope and a cat named Callie. The Carper family enjoys camping with family and spending time together playing outside.

From a very young age, Candid could see people’s ability not their disability and has always been drawn to helping people. In 2007, she began researching adoption, but the timing was not right. She attended nursing school and worked in a long-term care facility for the first few years but felt called to pediatric nursing. She then went to work for an agency that provided care in children’s homes with special needs. After working 7 years for the agency she was blessed with their second son, however he would require a short-term NICU stay. She took time off to help him grow. When she returned to work, she started a new job as a school nurse at their local school district but always felt the call to return to special needs nursing. Candid returned to the pediatric home care and remains there taking care of children with multiple special needs. She has always felt the call from God to adopt but the timing was not right for their family due to caring for Jason’s grandmother for 7 years as well as 2 children.

Jason is the main family provider. He works very hard to be sure that his family is taken care of. Growing up with his grandparents and working on the family farm taught him many skills in life. Jason knows what unconditional love is and is looking forward to a new journey with a daughter.

Colton and Jackson both helped to care for their great-grandmother and showed great compassion in her care. They helped prepare her meals, attend medical appointments and hold her hand to guide her as she was blind. Both boys have been recognized in their school for helping others and having a loving heart. They are looking forward to a sister and being her protector.

In 2019, the call from God became greater and Candid began researching adoption again. She began praying for her family and for their future daughter. In July of 2019 she came across an advocacy post of a little girl with down syndrome. She then began having dreams of her and she just knew that she was who God had placed on her heart for her family to adopt. The Carper family began praying about adoption and in October they submitted their application to bring home a precious little girl.

They are now home study approved and have sent in their LOI and I-800A forms. Please pray for their family and little girl as they are excited to bring her home and become a family of 5.

3/13/2020 — DOSSIER IN TRANSLATION

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Clik here to view.The Edwards are back for their 3rd adoption. They brought home Avalyn (Crystal on RR) in 2013 and Ian (Micah on RR) in 2018. They are both from the same orphanage in a small Asian country, and they both have Down syndrome.

Two months after Ian came home, Beth was on Facebook watching their agency’s Superkids trip to that same orphanage her children were in, because her friend was adopting her second kiddo with Down syndrome and the agency team was going to be seeing her on their trip. As Beth watched, a different little girl (Annabelle) came into the room with her infectious giggle and Beth’s heart jumped. She didn’t say anything to anybody, but instead started advocating for Annabelle by showing her to all of her friends and praying that God would send her a family. By summertime, nobody had come forward to become Annabelle’s family and Beth started to feel like maybe they were supposed to be her family. As much as she already loved this little girl, adopting another little one with Down syndrome felt pretty crazy and the pile of paperwork and the fundraising was something that she was not wanting to do ever again. Still, there was that little face that was already tugging at her heart. For every reason she could come up with for why they shouldn’t adopt again, there were so many more reasons why they should. There were so many ‘what ifs’ that floated through her head.

What if…
What if we hadn’t adopted Ian and Avalyn? What if we had not been open to Down syndrome? What if we had missed out on the beautiful journey? What if….

There were so many things we could’ve missed. Honestly, that idea is pretty devastating. We are so much better because of them. Honestly, we don’t deserve the gift of these children, but we’re so thankful that we get to be their family.

Still another adoption process felt pretty terrifying. One of Beth’s friend’s was talking about something entirely not adoption related and said something that stuck with Beth. She said, “Do it afraid.”

Beth mentioned it to Kyle. He gave the go ahead to send the initial email. With shaky hands on the keyboard, Beth sent that first email. The subject line was: We’re not crazy. I promise. Actually, in hindsight, it may be the teensiest bit crazy, but love makes you do crazy things sometimes.

So, here we are, completely afraid, but doing it anyway. We’re looking forward to getting to be this precious little girl’s family and we’re excited to watch those fears melt away as step by step we work our way through another process. In the end, we’ll remember how scary this was, but mostly we’ll know that love is greater than fear and some of the best things in life take a little crazy love.

Thank you for your support and joining us on this journey!

1/29/2020 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE; COMPILING DOSSIER

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Clik here to view.Tim and Julie Whitten have been married for 17 years and have been blessed with three beautiful children, Mason (12), Molly (8) and Pedro (4). Tim has worked in ministry for several years and most recently works for the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church as a Hurricane Recovery Director helping families impacted by Hurricane Florence rebuild their homes. Julie has owned a graphic design and promotional company for almost 20 years. Her job provides flexibility to work from home and set her own hours, which allows her the ability to stay home with their children. Through her job, she can also use her artistic talents and creativity. Both Julie and Tim enjoy art, Julie enjoys painting while Tim is an accomplished potter.

The Whitten family has always had a heart for missions. By giving their lives and hearts to God, He has opened their eyes to the needs in the world and helped them move out of their comfort zone. Through this, Pedro was brought into their lives when he was 6 months old, during a mission trip to Haiti. Pedro has significant special needs and the Whittens have repeatedly watched God step into their lives meeting challenge after challenge. Pedro is well loved, enjoys life and the entire family has grown in their faith exponentially.

When the Whittens look into the precious face of Chrissie, and each of the orphaned children, they remember that God tells us not to let the world pollute our thoughts, but to remain focused on God and what He commands us to do, especially to care for orphans and widows. They find strength in the knowledge that Jesus would not be sitting on the couch, but instead be in the orphanage holding those children, His children, who do not have a person to claim them as their own. The Whittens have been blessed with two biological children and claimed one child as their own through adoption. They have experienced first hand the love of God with each child and realize that He lives and loves in the hard times. They welcome and embrace each challenge as it allows them to experience God more.

3/13/2020 — USCIS APPROVED; DOSSIER NEARLY COMPLETE

Chrissie has received a $2,000 Grant!

The Hamlet family had a baby girl named Saraiah in 2010 with Down syndrome and multiple heart defects. She was not given a long life expectancy. After hours of praying and talking to doctors, they were told their daughter did not have a chance at life and they should wait for her to pass away peacefully within a couple of days. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. The doctors were amazed at her prognosis, and she continued to rally. They almost lost her a few times in the first year of life, but each time a miracle took place and she recovered. After age 3 doctors said she could live well into her 20’s or 30’s with how well she was doing. They had never seen a child with her condition live past a few days old without surgery. In 2018, at the age of 8 she passed away in her sleep. Shortly after, the Hamlets felt that God impressed upon them to adopt a baby with Down syndrome. Veronica, had followed Reeces Rainbow for some time, eagerly praying for her husband to commit to adoption. After a silent prayer, Veronicas husband called, expressing his desire to adopt a child with DS. It was in this moment they both felt sure of the calling that God had placed on their life. They have sought the adoption of a baby girl from Eastern Europe with Down Syndrome. Their entire family (3 kids) are excited to bring their baby sister home. Please pray for them as they patiently wait to submit their dossier.

3/13/2020 — DOSSIER NEARLY COMPLETE

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Clik here to view.Hello we are Kurt and Cyndi Petrich. We have been married four years. We have 5 beautiful children, four biological children and one that God placed in our hearts 2 years ago. We were both widowed late in life. The Lord brought us together when we both said, “yes” to a mission trip to serve special needs orphans in Eastern Europe. We met on the mission field. We fell in love with each other and the precious forgotten children. We came home from our missions’ trip, were married and have been serving these children ever since.

While on an extended missions’ trip we met a beautiful brown eyed little girl, who stole our hearts. God placed our sweet Dasha in our family in 2018. Upon our arrival home, our daughter started to pray every night in her native language, “Praise God, My God, please bring my best friend home.” Night after night she would pray the same prayer over and over again. We knew immediately God was calling us to grow our family once again. During this time, we learned about a sibling to this child. We were thrilled to find both girls on the Reece’s Rainbow list of available children. We prayed again fervently. Once again, God lead us to say, “Yes” to both children.”

Dasha has been home for over a year and the transformation we have witnessed has been nothing short of a miracle. She is loved and knows how to love. She wants her best friend and sister to become her own sisters and experience the love of a family. We wholeheartedly believe God’s Word that says, Psalm 68: 5-6 “God sets the lonely in families.”

We openly admit and profess adoption has deepened our faith and understanding of God’s deep love and affection for his children. We watched God do the miraculous during the journey of adoption with Dasha. He showed us again, again He is faithful. Our prayer is hearts would be moved to help us bring these girls home. Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for HE who promised is faithful.

4/6/2020 — DOSSIER NEARLY COMPLETE

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Clik here to view.Hi! We are the Garrett Family! First & foremost, we are Christians & we love Jesus! We have 6 beautiful children – 4 biological, and 2 through adoption via foster care. My husband Gordon & I (Heidi) have been married for 11 years. My husband served in the military for almost 7 years & now works as a nurse in the ER. I stay home with our children!

Recently, we started the process to start renewing Foster Care license in order to take in another foster placement. But, during the process, God clearly began intervening. In the past few months, we have been in 2 car accidents, our AC unit died, paperwork has been filed on incorrect forms, fingerprint cards have been lost. You name it.

A while ago, I ran across the pictures of “Kristen” on Reeces Rainbow. She grabbed my heart. But, at the time, I knew my husband wasn’t feeling ready to adopt a child with significant special needs. So, I didn’t mention her to my husband. But very recently, my sister-in-law mentioned that a member of her family is going to be adopting from the Eastern Europe. And, well, that just so happens to be where this sweet little girl is from too! I felt the need to go back to her picture & felt very strongly God saying “This is your daughter”. It was unexplainable.

I texted my husband her photo & asked if he thought perhaps God had slowed us down with foster care in order for us to go get her. To my surprise, he said, “Babe, if you want to adopt a beautiful little girl from the Eastern Europe, then let’s do it!”

So, here we are! We have no idea where the money will come from but we are trusting the Lord.

1/22/2020 — COMPILING DOSSIER

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Clik here to view.Matt and Sherry Fry fell in love in high school in 1988. They lost contact and were reunited in 2010, 22 years later through Facebook. They married in 2013 with Matt having two small sons and Sherry having two grown daughters. They have 5 grandchildren and one due in December. The latest addition to the family is Miss Nastiia, a Reece’s Rainbow sweetheart adopted in 2016. Nastiia is a true princess with a whole lot of sass!

After Nastiia came home, Sherry found a video of a darling older girl with cerebral palsy and was instantly drawn to her. Sherry would soon realize why: Sherry had lost twins in 2004. That same year, the child she saw in the video was born across the world, also as a twin!

Matt and Sherry knew that she was meant to be their daughter; this was God’s plan, not their own. They had a full house and honestly thought they were finished having children! After watching this same video over and over and leaving this decision in God’s hands, they quickly realized there would always be enough love for one more small Fry. They would love your prayers and support as they work to raise the money needed to bring their new daughter home to her forever family.

3/13/2020 — COMPILING DOSSIER; UPDATING DOCUMENTS 

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Clik here to view.Nick and Keely Cogan have always believed that adoption would be a part of their family story. They adopted their first child in 2011, bringing Karwen home from China. Her smiling face called to to them and they knew that she belonged with them.

Only months after coming home with Karwen, they knew that they were being led back to China. Sure enough, Kai (“Nick” on RR) and his little brother Kade joined the family in 2014. The Cogans thought that their family might be complete, but the Lord had other plans. Kassi came home in 2016 after a whirlwind process of just 12 weeks. The process had to be expedited because she would have aged out only three days after she met her new family.

At that point, it was clear to them that their family was still incomplete. Two teenage siblings came up – they urgently needed a host family. The Cogans felt like this was placed before them and were given the means to host S and V in the summer of 2018 and then again that winter. Although it has not always been easy, the family grew together and very soon realized that they all ‘fit’ just perfectly. S and V have expressed a strong wish to become Cogans, and the family is convinced that they belong together and are all working so hard to make that happen (even the little ones)! S and V both have urgent medical needs that are impossible to treat properly where they currently are, making it imperative for the Cogans to move forward as quickly as they can.

When the kiddos are back in their home country, everyone feels like the family has missing pieces and yearns for everyone to be together again, hoping and praying that the kids remain safe and healthy in a very hard situation until they can be home forever.

The Cogans believe that the Lord will provide everything necessary to finish this incredible journey, and so appreciate you joining them in speeding up this process to get their children home where they belong with the medical attention that they need. They thank you for any and all prayers and support that you can offer.

10/3/2019 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE

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Clik here to view.Dave and Erin Briar have been blessed with eight children – two boys, five girls and one older “daughter-of-the-heart” – Alicia. Dave and Erin met Alicia at church while serving overseas in the US military. They quickly bonded with Alicia, invited her into their home, and “adopted” her at age 20. In essence, a daughter-of-the-heart. They love all their kids from oldest at age 28 to the youngest at age 12. Caliana will be a much-loved and welcome addition to their family — another daughter-of-the-heart.

The last five years have brought a lot of change to the Briars’ lives. Dave retired from active duty. The family moved back to their home in Tok, Alaska, where Dave works for an Alaska-based company. Several other aspects of their family situation changed and they felt the Lord wanted them to be doing something different. That ‘different’ was being introduced to Reece’s Rainbow by one of their daughters. From the very beginning Caliana caught Erin’s heart. After much prayer and talking it over as a family (who are all very much excited by another sister!) they have started the journey to bring home another daughter-of-the-heart!

Dave served in the US Air Force for 30+ years and the Briars moved around quite a bit before settling in Tok, Alaska. The Briars have lived in Texas, Delaware, South Carolina, Mississippi, Kansas, Nevada, Maryland, and Alaska. They also lived in Germany for six consecutive years and South Korea for a total of six years on three separate assignments. In addition, Dave did an unaccompanied tour in Honduras and two combat tours in Iraq. As a result, the Briars are no stranger to overseas living and culture. But living in a foreign country never slowed down their desire to grow their family. In fact, four of their children were born overseas – two in Germany and two in Korea. They feel that having a daughter born in Eastern Europe will further add to the international flavor of their family. And Caliana will ensure that the Briars born overseas outnumber those born in the US!

6/9/2020 —  HOMESTUDY COMPLETE

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Clik here to view.We are Carrie and Ken Woods, parents of six children, four adopted from Asia and two biological. We met in high school and have been married for almost 34 years. Our children range in ages from 8 to 31 and we are also excited to soon be grandparents. We started our first adoption in 2000 and over the years we have been fortunate to grow our family one at a time. Our last adoption in 2015 started with looking at several files and came down to two beautiful girls. It was a difficult decision but we are thankful that we brought our new daughter home when we did because she has needed significant medical care over the last 5 years. Fate would have it that the file for the other little girl came to our attention at the end of last year and we felt we were in a place to move forward and bring her home. She has always been in our hearts and now she will be in our lives and loving home.

5/15/2020 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE

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Clik here to view.We are the Rinehart family and we are adopting! This will be our third and final adoption from Asia. We have six grown children and multiple grandchildren. Our home and family are full of people and love. Our two youngest daughters (ages 8 & 6), adopted in 2017 and 2018, are eagerly awaiting their little sister! We began our adoption journey in 2016 after the Lord laid in on our hearts over a several year period to adopt. The journey was like chipping away at stone to reveal the diamond underneath. The first time we saw her picture we were hooked! Little did we know then that we would repeat the process two more times. Like her sisters before her, our newest little one has stolen our hearts and we know that she is our daughter! We hope to bring her home this fall. With all of the uncertainty in the world, we would appreciate your prayer. Please pray for our family to get through this process quickly and that travel would be safe and available when it comes time to travel. If the Holy Spirit moves you to donate, we would certainly appreciate that as well. Thank you!

5/18/2020 — COMPILING DOSSIER

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Clik here to view.Rodney and Alisha Keim live in Atkinson, Nebraska with their children Josiah, Selah, Jeremiah, and Tallulah.  Jeremiah was adopted from Thailand in 2015 and Tallulah from Asia in 2019. The family was first matched with Tallulah through her advocacy page at Reece’s Rainbow. In one of the photos, she was pictured with another little boy who also captured their hearts. Had it been possible to adopt them together, that would have been their desire. The family met Eli while in country finalizing the adoption of Tallulah in May of 2019.

Their “happy family” picture was taken at the orphanage. Just after the picture was taken, the Keim family left the orphanage with Tallulah. Just before the photo was taken, Eli was taken back to join the other kids without families, bawling. The Keim family longs for the day they can see him again, the day his friend will become his sister. They pray he will come to understand how much he was loved that day and that he holds a piece of their broken hearts in his.

The last piece of paperwork the family will need in order to submit their dossier has been sitting on a desk in the USCIS office since March (just before immigration biometrics offices shut down due to the COVID-19 Pandemic). The family asks for your prayer: perhaps the God who moves mountains can push that little piece of paper on through soon. They also ask you to consider giving a donation to help them bring Eli home! Rodney and Alisha are each self-employed by small businesses that have been impacted by the Coronavirus shutdowns. God continues to provide graciously for their every need… perhaps you are one way he will provide for the adoption of Eli!

5/26/2020 — COMPILING DOSSIER

*** Elijah received a $5,000 Grant! ***

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Clik here to view.The Lewandowski family are in the process of adopting an aged-out boy – or two – from Eastern Europe.

Kevin and Natalia met online. Both grew up in totally different communities, totally different surroundings, and totally different countries. Kevin was raised in family-oriented Polish community and has always seen his own role as a person who is supporting strong family bonds.

Growing up in a Ukrainian blue-collar family, Natalia always had a heart for those who were in need. Living and volunteering in Ukraine and the USA for multiple church and community services gave her opportunities to reach out to those who were living below the poverty level such as the elderly and people with disabilities. There was something special about Ukrainian orphans though that was always on her mind over the past 2 decades: orphanages are meant to provide shelter, clothes, and basic nutrition, but cannot ever be a substitute for real FAMILY.

Kevin and Natalia hosted a 16-year-old boy during the summer of 2019. It was not an easy summer, but it gave them a chance to feel an orphan’s emotional pain and trauma. Kevin and Natalia understand that it may take a lifetime to help their son learn to cope with the physical and emotional trauma caused by institutional and parental neglect. The other boy they are considering was also hosted but his family, after deciding to adopt, was not able to proceed. Other families that had been interested in this boy assumed he was being adopted, and by the time the family discovered they could not proceed, it was too late for another family to do anything because he had aged out.

Raising funds for a teenager’s adoption is not easy task, but both Natalia and Kevin strongly believe that they were called for this adoption and God will provide by using people’s hearts and hands. Please consider teaming up with this family in this financial challenge that will change ONE orphan’s life, or maybe even TWO.

6/16/2020 — COMPILING DOSSIER

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Clik here to view.Michael and Jade met at work and soon fell in love. When they knew they were getting serious, Jade expressed to Michael her long time desire to adopt a special needs child internationally. Michael said that he would also love to adopt. After a very short engagement, they eloped in Hawaii on the Island of Kauai. When they climbed the cliff at Keoneoloa bay to take some wedding photographs, Jade looked up at the moon and remarked to Michael and their photographer that she felt they had a daughter near, but also felt that she was very far away. She brushed the feeling out of her mind for the time being but thought of it from time to time.

When they returned home to their now blended family of 5 children, they discussed if they wanted to have a child biologically. They decided they would try and were blessed to become pregnant very quickly. Unfortunately when Jade was several weeks pregnant, they found that their little baby had passed away. They opted to have testing done and found that their baby had some chromosomal issues. A few weeks later, they decided to go ahead and try again and were blessed to become pregnant with their son, Corbin Anthony, who was born several weeks early. They moved when Corbin was 2 weeks old into a larger home to accommodate their growing family. Jade would often look through waiting child profiles on Reece’s Rainbow. In August of 2019, she happened to look through waiting little girls with Down Syndrome. She came across Perla’s photo and something jumped out at her and said “This one.” Jade saw that her birthday was in 2017 and thought that adopting out of birth order would be too hard, so she ignored her intuition. Through this time, Jade advocated for Perla, asking friends to consider opening their homes and hearts to adoption. She prayed a lot, and thought that they may pursue another waiting child, but her and Michael never felt completely peaceful about it.

One day Jade had received a message from a woman that she did not know asking her if she would like to adopt Perla. Jade told her that she would love to, but was not sure about the logistics of an out of birth order adoption. Jade was able to get the information she needed and asked Michael what he thought. He said he would love to adopt Perla, and once they came to that decision, they both felt peace beyond understanding. Also,  Perla was born in the month that they got married, so they took it as a sign that she was the daughter Jade felt was near. Michael and Jade are aware that things are not always guaranteed in adoption, and have decided that if for some reason they are unable to continue to pursue the adoption of Perla, they will choose to adopt another child with Down Syndrome in that country. They are excited to bring their new daughter home, and their children are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their baby (and big) sister.

7/3/2020 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE; COMPILING DOSSIER

Jon Hamilton has always had a huge heart for taking care of others. He takes pride in the ability he has to defend the defenseless and care for those in need. Since becoming an adult he has devoted his life to taking care of others. Jon joined the Marine Corps right after graduating high school so he could serve his country. After returning from his second deployment he met his wife Jessica. The two started a family and he decided the deployments were not as family friendly as they hoped. After fulfilling his commitment with the Marines he immediately began pursuing his career in the medical field. After obtaining his Associates degree as a paramedic he went on to obtain his certification as a firefighter. Jon currently serves his community now as a professional firefighter and paramedic.

Jessica Hamilton has only ever dreamed of taking care of others and being a mother. She attended college to pursue her nursing degree but put it on hold to stay home and care for her children. She was once told “there is no higher calling than that of a mother.” She feels that God has blessed her tremendously as a mother and her job is to be the best mother she can. She says that being a mother is a never ending, more fulfilling job than ever imaginable. Jessica devotes her life entirely to being the best mother she possibly can.

Jon and Jessica had always talked about adopting one day but never thought it would be possible due to the financial aspect. Their priorities are not going to change. Money doesn’t come first in our household. Unfortunately Jon’s career in doing for others doesn’t pay as well as other careers may pay. And Jessica staying home with their children is a huge priority and obviously doesn’t pay monetarily at all. Knowing that things were not going to change drastically enough for them to afford an adoption they decided to put their faith in God to make it all possible. The entire family prays nightly that God provides for this adoption.

Jon and Jessica both share the desire to have a large family. Being able to raise their children to be respectful, kind hearted, christ following is very important to them. Both are very open with their children and they are all very excited to be able to add to their family through adoption.
They describe adopting as “a crazy long and expensive process that no one could have ever prepared them for, and certainly one they don’t think is possible without their faith”. Their case worker sent them a file for a beautiful little girl with Down syndrome, who is 19 months old.  It was never about them wanting another child. It was about them wanting to share their love with another child, one that truly needed them. They hope to truly touch the life of others through Christ’s love. There are so many children out there who desperately need people to open their hearts and minds to special needs adoption. It shouldn’t be about what your child will be able to do for you but what you will able to do for your child.

They both feel the only obstacle for them will be the financial aspect. Jon and Jessica say how shocked they are already with how much support they have received from friends and some close family. Those who have given to their adoption so far, they know truly gave from the heart, certainly not just because they had the extra. It’s hard for them to ask for so much but they know it’s not really for them., it’s for their new daughter. They vow to spend the rest of their lives making sure she lives the happiest, most fulfilled life they can possibly give her. With what they lack financially to adopt, they make up for with love and determination. Both truly feel that where there’s a will, there’s a way. As long as they’re committed to do all they can, God will provide for them.

1/8/2020 — COMPILING DOSSIER

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Clik here to view.The Reinecke family is no stranger to international special needs adoption. They returned from Eastern Europe last summer with their twin girls and are now ready to go back for a little boy!

Rebecca started researching international adoption while she was in college, knowing that with her own health conditions she might not be able to build a family in the traditional way. She already had three cousins added to her family through adoption and felt that this could be a good plan for her as well. She spent hours reading the blog “The Blessing of Verity” and fell in love with the idea of adopting a child with special needs. Years later, she became engaged to Brendyn and was listed for a pancreas transplant shortly after. Plans were in the works to build a family through both biological and adopted children and then a pancreas became available, which changed their lives forever, in the best and hardest ways possible. The surgery that was supposed to make conceiving easier, ended with complications that made carrying a child dangerous for mom and baby. Always planning on adopting anyway, they decided to move the plans for adoption to the forefront and began researching. Rebecca remembered that blog from so long ago and started sharing the idea with Brendyn who agreed that adopting a child with special needs would be something they were well situated to do with Rebecca’s nursing experience and personal experience with medical conditions. On July 17, 2018 Rebecca saw an advocacy post for 3.5 year old twins and they decided to get more information. It was love at first sight and they had the commitment paperwork with them to mail out on the first day of their honeymoon a couple weeks later. Twelve months after they saw the picture they brought Margo and Rose home to Wisconsin.

A few months after returning home with the twins, a little boy on Reece’s Rainbow named “Klein” started popping up on Rebecca’s newsfeed. She couldn’t help but notice how similar he was to Margo, who is completely blind from Retinopathy of Prematurity. He still had the light in his eyes that was quickly fading from Margo when they picked her up in July. He was sitting in a room familiar to the family and had the same black hair and dark eyes. They were not yet eligible to adopt and he became the first Reece’s Rainbow child that Rebecca advocated for. A couple months passed and he was still listed and tugging on Rebecca’s heartstrings. The time was coming when they would be eligible to adopt again and Rebecca brought him up to Brendyn and they requested more information. After much conversation, they decided it was meant to be and they signed on with their placing agency New Year’s Eve 2019. Since signing on with their agency they have dove into the paperwork and doing everything they can to get him home as quickly as possible. Rebecca, Brendyn, Margo, and Rose are all excited to welcome this little boy into their family!

7/15/2020 — USCIS APPROVED

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Clik here to view.Leah is a lifelong Navy sailor who grew up as a dependent and is now active duty. When she was a young girl living in Hawaii, her stay-at-home RN mother fostered several children under 2 who had special needs for a few months and one at a time while they were between more permanent homes. Even though she was only 5 years old at the time, she fell in love with a baby named Emily whose smile she can still remember and was old enough to understand that adopting meant adding a child who didn’t come out of my mommy’s tummy. Since then, adoption has been at the forefront of her mind when it comes to adding kids to a family of her own.

In 2015 while stationed on a ship, her church hosted an adoption agency that talked about older child adoption. They told her that even single women who work full time on a Navy ship can adopt. Leah knew that her time was coming when she would add to her family of one.

In January of 2019, a friend shared the Reece’s Rainbow page of a girl who was aging out and Leah felt the tug on her heart. She began prayerfully considering adoption in the near future and knew it was almost time. Almost one exact year later, another girl with the same special needs was shared to Facebook by a friend who had already completed an adoption for a child on Reece’s Rainbow and was working on her second. Leah knew it was time and began her home study that month.

First time international adoption can be a long and difficult process and the child that Leah is working toward adopting doesn’t have much time! Any kind of help is welcomed and appreciated and thanks to all who follow this journey to make the Davis family go from one to two!

8/15/2020 — COMPILING DOSSIER

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Clik here to view.Mollie doesn’t remember the exact moment when adoption was put on her heart and in her mind. But, she does remember it was all consuming. She tried to get away from it. But, she couldn’t. It was there and it wouldn’t go away. It was 2015. By early 2016 she finally worked up the nerve to bring it up to her husband, Bryan. It’s not that they didn’t talk often, or that they kept secrets. It’s that she thought he would think that she was crazy! You see… they had seven biological children and they thought they were done. Their family felt complete.

Earlier that year their youngest, at seven years old, had had open heart surgery. She had recovered and was doing great. Their oldest son was engaged to be married. Life was good. But, that nagging adoption thing wouldn’t go away. So she told him. And, the miracle of it all was that he had been thinking about it, too.

In April 2017, one month after their first grandchild was born, they came home with not one, but two sons from China. They were their pride and joy! But life wasn’t ever going to be the same. It was overwhelming! But, one day at a time, one sleepless night at a time, they got through it.

They went into adoption with their eyes wide open, or so they thought. In the end both boys, their sons, had needs that had been undiscovered. The words deaf and autism, and global delays were added to their family. But guess what? These were their children, the ones they fell in love with before they had ever met them! They held on because God knew what they needed. They needed to depend upon him totally. Three years later their adopted sons are thriving and their biological children have learned so much about love and the privilege to know people with special needs.

In 2020 that call to adopt has become strong in their family again. This time they have felt called to consider adopting a little girl with that beautiful extra chromosome. They want to add a child with Down syndrome to their family. And, once again it’s the same, that all consuming desire is there to give a child a family. Would you please pray God will make a way?

5/11/2020 — HOMESTUDY COMPLETE