Larry and Beth Hopfenspirger have finally come along to rescue our little Aleksa!   They have been married for 9 years, and have two sons, one of whom has Down syndrome.   Dad is a full time investor, and mom is home full time.   Beth found Reece's Rainbow during our Christmas Angel Tree project, and was distraught to learn of the fate of so many children with Down syndrome in foreign orphanages.   They never thought of adopting themselves, but did give generously for several of our waiting children. 

It didn't take long before Mom knew she wanted to bring a child home, and they agreed that Aleksa was the one!  He will become the younger brother and life-long friend of their other son with Down syndrome, Franklin!

Please help the Hopfenspirger family bring Aleksa home to Minnesota!

5/16/08---APPT IS MAY 26TH!

I have $535 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow the Hopfenspirger family's adoption journey on their blog at www.hopfenspirger.blogspot.com

Click here to sponsor Aleksa for the Hopfenspirger Family

Jim and Julie Outman are hoping to adopt our little Luka in Eastern Europe.  They have been married for 5 years.  They have a 2 yr. old son named Matthew whom they adopted domestically when he was a baby.  This is their first international adoption, and they are SO excited to bring Luka home!   

The Outmans live in a small town in N.Y. and have both always seen adoption as a very special blessing.  Julie's younger brother, as well as 2 of her nephews have DS.    Jim and Julie began feeling God tug on their hearts regarding international adoption just a few weeks ago, when they read about the situations orphans in some other countries are living out.  They felt God calling them to do "something",  and it turns out that shortly after that He placed Luka in their path!    

In order for Julie to be able to stay at home with their children, they know that any grant money toward their adoption of Luka would be a HUGE help.  A verse that has been very real to them in their adoption experience is:  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight"   Proverbs 3:5-6

5/16/08---APPT DATE IS MAY 30TH!

Follow the Outman family's adoption journey on their blog at http://love4ourboys.blogspot.com/

I have $2465 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Click here to sponsor Luka for the Outman Family

Anah from Vietnam is 9 years old.  Her adoptive family is a blended tri-racial family.  Dad is retired from the Navy and has a 31 year old biological Filipino/Caucasian daughter.  Mom is a stay at home RN with a 21 year old biological Caucasian daughter, a 17 year old biological Caucasian son, and a 9 year old domestically adopted Hispanic/Caucasian son.  They are familiar with medical/special needs as the 17 year old is an insulin dependent diabetic and the 9 year old has ADHD.  This is their second international adoption in two years.

Mom and Dad JUST completed their adoption of Jonathan with DS from Guatemala in November of 2007.

Anah is a very lucky little girl, as the Vietnam program is about to be closed (hopefully only temporarily, as a result of political issues, not a decision made by Reece's Rainbow!).   Anah may be our last child out of Vietnam for a long time.  Please help the Bergers complete their adoption and rescue this gorgeous little girl!

Follow the Berger family's journey on their adoption blog at http://www.shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=325

4/27/08---DOSSIER COMPLETE,  USCIS APPROVED!

I have $77 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Click here to sponsor Anah for the Berger family

The Levario family needs your help!!!

They just returned in December 2007 with their first adopted daughter with Down syndrome from Ukraine.     As most of you know, international adoption is very costly.   They need your help to raise the last of the funds needed to complete their simultaneous adoption of little Kristel in Estonia.  Kristel (her new name will be AMANDA) has already been waiting a very long time for a family, and we are excited that the Levarios have chosen to adopt her.  Your help will bring her home faster!! 

2/20/08---COURT APPLICATION SUBMITTED

Follow the Levario family's adoption journey on their blog at http://ukiestoniamomto8.blogspot.com:80/

We have $730 in our  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of our adoption!

Thomas and Rhonda Dawson are childhood sweethearts!  They have two grown daughters, 20 and 18, and they own a coffee house as a family business!  They first saw Zechariah on Reece's Rainbow many months ago, but at the time, they were not financially prepared to pursue his adoption.  In August of 2007, a generous donor offered a full grant for Zechariah's adoption, and this time, the Dawsons were ready!   In only 7 short weeks, their home study is complete and their dossier on it's way to Hong Kong!  The social worker feels confident that Zechariah will be home by Christmas!

The Dawson family attends the East Sparta Church of God, where Dad plays in the church band.  Their coffeehouse is also a Christian bookstore, so they are proud to have the opportunity to witness to people daily.  Their adoption of Zechariah is a testament to their faith, and will serve to teach others about heeding God's call in your life. 

The grant for Zechariah's adoption covers most of the major expenses, but the family is still needing help with some other costs.  Please support them as they finally give little Z a loving home!

5/8/08---TRAVELING MAY 29TH!

Follow the Dawson family's adoption journey on their blog at www.dawsonfamilyadoption.blogspot.com

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

Click here to sponsor Zechariah for the Dawson Family

Viola and Stephen Hill are in the process of adopting Markus from Estonia.   Estonia is a small, but wonderful program!   Markus was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and he has been waiting quite a while for his "forever family"!   He will soon be living in Kentucky!

After a year  of prayer and reading, the couple decided to begin their family through adoption.  They had no idea about where, when , or how they could afford adoption. They originally planned to adopt a baby boy  from Eastern Europe, but God lead them to Markus and after months of praying about him, they decided Markus would be perfect.  They are already raising Viola's cousin who also has FAS and is very excited to have Markus to be her "normal" . Arly's thinking is that if she and Markus share the FAS, then together they are perfect.

Stephen works as a manager for a local restaurant. Viola works at a private school as a cook. They have been married for almost 7 years now, and been raising Arly for the last 5  1/2  years.  They pray to have Markus home as soon as possible.

The Hills  are home study ready, and will have their INS approval soon. Your donations right now can help them complete their adoption of Markus and bring him  home even faster!

5/6/08---HOME STUDY READY, DOSSIER ALMOST COMPLETE!

I have $0 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

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

Click here to sponsor Markus for the Hill Family

Jason and Shelly Turpin are hoping to adopt our little Arthur in Eastern Europe.  Arthur does not have Down syndrome, but is missing part of his lung.  We are so excited to have a family for him!

The Turpins have been married for 15 years.  They have five beautiful daughters, one with Down syndrome!  The Turpins love their girls and everything is estrogen dominated (think pink and Barbies!!!)  at their home in Texas. 

As a family they felt that Dad needed a son – he was grossly outnumbered!!

Their oldest daughter loves to pore over Reece's Rainbow looking at pictures of all of the beautiful children.  She left the computer screen on the “Boys” page of “Other Angels” one night.  Coming home from church that same Wednesday night, Shelly saw this adorable little face that melted her heart.  She shared it with Jason.  They shared it with family and friends who helped them to pray if this was the little guy meant for their family.  They are thrilled to bring home a SON to their home filled with cute little girls!

This is the Turpin's first international adoption.  Your donations to their sponsorship fund will make it possible for them to bring Arthur home quickly, and maybe even another waiting child too (as they pray about this).  

5/14/08---HOME STUDY IN PROGRESS

I have $0 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

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

 Click here to sponsor Arthur for the Turpin 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! 

5/2/08---HOME STUDY COMPLETE, AWAITING INS APPROVAL!

I have $0 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Click here to sponsor Magdalena for the Campbell Family

Little Noah in in Taiwan is so close to coming home already!!!  He has general global delays, but he is just as handsome as he can be!!   He is in the same orphanage as our little Chia-Ling, who has Williams Syndrome. 

Bobby and Tami Sisemore have been active members of our group for quite a while before it was "their time" to adopt.   They planned to get married, have a couple of bio children and then adopt special needs babies!   Endometriosis had other plans for them as far as birth children went, but that was ok.  Bobby and Tami each had read Dale Evans Rogers' accounts of adoption when they were young, and it led them both to say they would grow up and adopt special needs kids.  Those babies that others think are hard or difficult, to this family he is the answer to many many prayers. 

Tami began researching some needs she did not know as much about and this is how she found Reece's Rainbow! J  She learned so much from our group, and really felt ready to face the challenges of a child with special needs.  Bobby and Tami have been looking into adoption from day one of marriage, but waited until they knew it was the right time.   They knew IMMEDIATELY upon hearing about Noah that this was the son God had for them!  They are actively fundraising and doing everything in their power to get their sweet boy home!  They are looking forward to the joys, the tears, the challenges, the excitement and most of all to the love.

Please help the Sisemores bring home this handsome little angel from Taiwan!

5/1/08---DOSSIER COMPLETE, INS APPROVED!

I have $0 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow the adoption journey of the Sisemore family on their blog at www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com

Click here to sponsor Noah for the Sisemore Family

Zack and Miranda Tubbs have stepped forward in the hopes of adopting our Sergey, who has been living in an institution now for over a year.  When we learned recently that he is still living and waiting for a family, we all praised God for His blessing, and thanked Him again for giving the Tubbs family the courage to rescue Sergey and give him the life we have all known he deserves.   Many of us have known and loved Sergey since he was only 3, and have watched him wait and wait and finally be sent away to the level 4 orphanage.   Words just can not express our gratitude to this family.

The Tubbs have been married for 7 years and have 3 biological sons.  They have always felt led to adopt a a child with special needs.   Miranda grew up with people with special needs through her mother's work as a special education teacher.  She always felt a special connection with them.  They first saw Sergey over a year ago, and fell instantly in love with him, but the timing was not right for their family.  But God has worked miracles in their family, and has held Sergey in the palm of His hands.  Now they are able to become the family they so hoped for this child.  

This is a tremendous leap of faith for this family, and we ask that everyone help them to finally bring Sergey out of a hellish place into the loving family and home he deserves. 

4/30/08---HOME STUDY IN PROGRESS!

I have $252.94 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

  Click here to sponsor Sergey for the Tubbs family

Lee and Karen Shervheim are hoping to adopt our little "Norah" and  "Samson" in Eastern Europe.  They have been married for 17 years and are  blessed with 5 children of their own.   They are excited to be adding 4  year olds, Norah and Samson.  They will be welcomed home by 4 brothers  and 1 sister, ages 1 yr. to 11 yrs.  The Shervheims live in a small town  in the midwest.   Lee is a manager at a manufacturing plant and Karen is a stay at home, home schooling mom.

Their little 3 yr. old  girl,  Annie,  has Down syndrome. She is an incredible gift and a blessing to their family and has captured the  hearts of all those around her.  The Shervheims are thrilled for Anne to  have a sister to grow up with and Mom is glad for one more girl in the  family!

They  first learned of Norah when a friend showed them the Christmas Angel Tree project.  They chose Norah to support and began praying  fervently for her to be adopted.  It wasn't long before they realized  the Lord was asking them to be her forever family!  Later, after learning that Samson was at the same orphanage and soon to be  transferred to a mental institution they felt called to adopt him as  well.  They look forward to adding these little blessings to their family!   This is the Shervheim's first adoption, so please help them bring  Norah and Samson home!
 

4/15/08---DOSSIER COMPLETE, INS APPROVED!

I have $75 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

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

Click here to sponsor Norah & Samson for the Shervheim Family

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!

5/2/08---RE-COMPILING NEW DOSSIER!

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

Dan and Mandy Rohrer are hoping to adopt our little Sasha from Eastern Europe.  They have been married almost 10 years and have 4 bio children,  2 girls and 2 boys ages 8, 6, 5 & 3.   Their youngest son Bryce has Down syndrome.   They live on a farm in rural Nebraska and Dan runs a real estate business and works at a bank.   Mom stays at home with the kids and substitutes in the Special Education Dept. at the school.   After having their son, Bryce, their eyes and hearts were opened to a different world. When they learned about the  way children with special needs are institutionalized overseas and that they are the same age as Bryce now, they knew that international adoption was for our family!

This is the first adoption for the Rohrer family!  Please help them with your sponsorship so they can bring Sasha home quickly!

4/27/08---DOSSIER COMPLETE, AWAITING USCIS APPROVAL

I have $40 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Follow the Rohrer family's adoption journey on their blog at www.hisfirstwife.blogspot.com

Click here to sponsor Sasha for the Rohrer Family

Dan and Alice Crawford are hoping to adopt our precious Andres from Estonia.  He has spent nearly 10 years in an orphanage, and they feel that is far too long!  Their desire is for Andres to know the blessings and benefits that come with being part of a loving family.  He will be welcomed by three brothers(15,11 & 7) who love "rough-housing", and a sister(13) who plans to spoil him as much as she can.

Dan and Alice met through their work with special needs individuals.  They are hoping their experience (30+yrs for Dan) will help them deal with the challenges of adopting an older, special needs child.  They are hopeful that Dan's position as a social worker will ensure many opportunities for Andres and a strong support system for the entire family. 

Andres is a very special little boy who has captured the hearts of many.  The Crawfords believe the prayers of these faithful supporters have made it possible for them to begin this journey.  Please continue to pray for Andres and the Crawford family as God unfolds His "most excellent plan" for their lives.

4/27/08---HOME STUDY IN PROGRESS

I have $0 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Click here to sponsor Andres for the Crawford Family

Patrick and Shea Drummond are hoping to adopt our sweet little Oskar from Estonia.  Oskar is one of our "Other Angels".   He has been waiting a long time, so we are thrilled that he has a family now!

The Drummonds have 3 children:  Anthony (Shea’s brother) who they have raised since age 7, Miranda 12 years old, and A.J. 5 years old. Patrick works as nurse and has his APN degree, and Shea works as an LPN.  They have been married for almost 12 years and met when Shea was 16. Their family shares a love of God and enjoys all activities that bring them together with laughter.

One of the things that Shea loves most about Patrick is how wonderful of a father he is. He takes time to spend individually with each child to make them feel special. He worked 2 jobs the entire 7 years through college and now happily says he is prepared to work 6 days a week to bring Oskar home.

Shea has a deep love of children with special needs, and her grandmother was adopted from an orphanage at age 4. She has worked as a nurse with differently-abled children in the past and knows there are NO limits that can be placed on any child. Her father was born with a severe physical “handicap” of both arms and hands, and she proudly tells everyone that there was nothing he could not do. He taught her to drive, play golf, and went to every school conference. Most importantly he taught her that the word disability is really just a myth, and with faith and love anything can be accomplished.

Shea and Patrick have given much thought about adoption. They crunched numbers, made lists, and scratched their head at every stumbling block that came their way. They came to the conclusion that there was no way possible to afford adoption. Then they saw Oskar and knew they had to find a way. They decided to put the whole matter in God’s hands and let him lead the way. Please know that any donation made will be accepted with heartfelt gratitude.   This child will be loved, wanted, and treasured.

4/27/08---HOME STUDY IN PROGRESS

I have $125 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Click here to sponsor Oskar for the Drummond Family

Daniel and Julie Brawdy fell in love with Miss Daisy the moment they saw her!    Daisy is one of our "Other Angels", and was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.  But she is just the most beautiful little thing, full of spunk and personality and potential!

The Brawdys have been married for 6 years.  Between them they have 4 boys and are so excited to finally have a little girl!  None of their children have special needs, so Daisy is a wonderful leap of faith for them!   The family is one of strong Christian faith, involved in a Baptist church in the Birmingham area.

Please support the Brawdy family in their efforts to save Daisy from an institution, and give her the life she so deserves!   This is a big leap of faith for this family, and we are so honored to be a part of this journey with them!

4/16/08---HOME STUDY IN PROGRESS

I have $75 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!

Click here to Sponsor Daisy for the Brawdy Family

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!

4/16/08---HOME STUDY IN PROGRESS

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

We have $800.21 in our  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of our adoption!

 Click here to Sponsor Nick & Nastya for the Pierce Family

 Kevin and Christy Faglie are hoping to adopt our little Vlad and Ivanna in Eastern Europe.   Both children are already 4, so they are hoping to save them from ever spending time in an instituion!

The Faglies are childhood sweethearts!   Growing up together, there were several children in their neighborhood with Down syndrome, so these children are very special and loved!   Kevin is a contract driver and Christy works in Customer Service for the local telephone company.   They live in the small town of Dale, TX, on a 3 acre farm with lots of animals!   Vlad and Ivanna will be their first children, and they are scared and excited to be following God's call to start their family in this very special way.

We have $205 in our  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of our adoption!

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

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!” 

We have $175 in our  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of our adoption!

Click here to sponsor Yuri & Natalia for the Harris Family

Mike and Mary Ellrich hope to adopt our precious, spunky Jamie from Eastern Europe. 

Mike and Mary are the parents of five biological children--their ages are 19, 16,12, 9 and 4.  Matthew is the youngest child and was born with Down Syndrome.  Like with most children with DS, he has brought more love, joy and laughter to their family than they could have ever imagined.  They have always felt the need for one more child, and have always felt strongly about adoption.   For more than two years they have considered the idea.  It was not until their daughter Jennifer showed them the Reece's Rainbow website that it became clear this was something the Ellrich family really wanted to do.  They are all excited and hopeful and have already given this little "angel" their hearts.

Please help the Ellrich family welcome Jamie into their home by sponsoring their adoption of Jamie.

1/18/08---HOME STUDY IN PROGRESS

I have $40 in my  FAMILY grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!