PLEASE...See them!!!!

Maya’s Hope works to improve the quality of life of orphaned, impoverished, and special-needs children on a global scale. Whether providing funding for loving caregivers, vitamin-rich formula, or access to quality medical care, Maya’s Hope improves lives, one child at a time!

PLEASE SUPPORT THE WORK, THE HOPE!

MAYA'S HOPE

These are some of the children living in an orphanage supported by Maya's Hope.  They need your help, your support, your prayers.

Maya's Hope provides caretakers for the children, massage, formula and support.  The children in this orphanage benefit significantly from the assistance provided by Maya's Hope.  With care and therapy, some children who were expected never to walk are now walking.  Children with proper formula are growing and with loving caretakers they are smiling.  

Some of the children are available for international adoption.  Prayerfully consider that option for your family.

Children available for adoption...varying amounts of adoption grants available

Denzel - 

this boy has my heart!  Who ever feels led to be his family will be incredibly blessed!  Let me know what I can do to help you make that decision.  

Meet Charles!

Charles is the child I have chosen as my Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree child for this year.  I am very excited to be participating this year.  I have committed to raising a minimum of $1000 for Charles adoption grant fund from November 1 - December 31, 2014.  I hope you will join me in celebrating the season by giving whatever you can toward Charles adoption grant.  If you donate a minimum of $35  to his grant between November 1 - December 31, 2014, you will receive an ornament with Charles picture.  What a great gift for that person who is difficult to buy for!  Donate to a child in need and give the ornament as a gift.  Maybe they will help pray for a family to come forward and adopt Charles.

Charles is ten years old and has been transferred from the orphanage to an adult institution.  He needs his family to find him sooner than later!

Adoption is an expensive process.  Tens of thousands of dollars, months of preparation, an intrusion into the life of your family, your finances, your past and future.  Fingerprinting, interviews, involvement of the adoption agency, the government and so many others.  This is a task not taken lightly.  For many, despite the sometimes maddening process, it is only the cost that holds them back from stepping forward for a child they know in their hearts is theirs.  They have the money for the home study, finger printing, specially prepared documents but then there is the travel costs, VISA, passport, medical exams for the child.  If only the money were there for that, maybe they could make the commitment.

This is where those of us who support these families and most especially the orphans, come in to play.  Maybe you don't have tens of thousands of dollars either but maybe you know ten people who have five or ten dollars and they each know five or ten people who also have five or ten dollars.  Some may have $100 or $1000 they can spare.  It all adds up.  If a child has a large adoption grant, it is so much easier for a family to take the steps to call that child their own.  So many would commit, if only for the cost.

Won't you help just this one?  Whatever you can give, it will be a blessing to Charles future family.

If you donate $35 or more, you will receive a 2014 Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree  ornament with a picture of Charles on the back.  What a wonderful gift for that special person who has everything.

Please pray for Charles , that he will be safe while he waits for his family to find him.  Pray for his family to know he is theirs

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

More Love Than You Can Imagine!

That's what you will get when you are the Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Grandmother, Grandfather, Aunt, Uncle, Cousin of this beautiful Angel!

Look at that smile!  How can you see it and not want to hold him; to save him from the institution where he lives?  He needs a family to love him.  He needs someone who can take him out of the crib and let him see the world.  He deserves to see the sun, go for a walk, ride in a car, play with toys, listen to music and so much more.  Yes, there are some medical issues that will need to be attended to but it is manageable.  The most important thing this boy needs is the love of a family.

Are you his family?  Don't be afraid!  There are many who will help you thru the process, even help you to raise the funds.  What is holding you back?  Please, take the step, claim him as our son.  You will receive more love and blessings than you ever imagined.  You will learn more than you ever expected.  You will not be sorry.  You will be truly blessed!

Come on Mama and Papa!  Claim your son!

Reece's Rainbow - Denzel

If you are truly not Denzel's family but would like to help, PLEASE, donate to his grant (it is easier for families to commit when they know some of the funds are already available), share on your blog, Facebook, Twitter...get this boys face out there!  He needs and deserves a family!

The Orphans Need You!

Every year Reece's Rainbow asks people to commit to raising at least $1000 for a child chosen as an Angel Tree child.  This year I have chosen Charles.  There will be more about him to come as the two months of Angel Tree begins November 1, 2014.

We are only two weeks away from 106 children not having an Angel Tree sponsor.  Please consider chosing a child from the Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree.  You can raise the money any way you wish.  Sell something, ask for donations or even, if you are so generous, donate the entire $1000 yourself.  Nothing will happen if you do not raise the entire $1000.  All that is asked is that you try.  The more money that is in a childs grant, the easier it is for a family to commit.  Adoption is an expensive endeavor.  Knowing a child has grant money can make that decision a bit easier.

These children need someone to believe in them and help their family find them.  Please consider choosing a child.

Reece's Rainbow Angel Tree Children

You want to know why...

Why am I so interested in International Special Needs Adoption?  Why now?  What about the kids in this country?

Okay, I understand.  Quite frankly, I was also someone who was confused about that until about a year ago.  Suddenly, there was a picture of a beautiful little boy, nearly the exact same age as our youngest, lying in a ball pit.  He was waiting for his parents to find him while he waited in an orphanage overseas.  What?  Orphanage?  I had been so involved in domestic special needs adoption that I had no understanding of what was going on in other countries.  It isn't that I thought they were the same; I didn't think about it at all.

I wanted to know more.  I wanted to understand what was going on in other countries.  I wanted to know what the process is for adopting special needs children in other countries.  What I got was a wake up call.

I began to search for any information I could find and there is a lot!  In many countries, children with special needs are considered a curse.  If not a curse, a burden.  There are few, if any services available to families with children who have special needs.  So many families cannot afford to care for their children, let alone get them the help they need.  Many families try to do it.  They love their children and want to do what is best for them.  Sadly, so many times they just cannot continue to care for them and they are left few options.  So many children left to the care of underfunded or unfunded orphanages.  Many do their best to care for the children.  Many just do what is necessary.  Some even less.  At some point, and it varies greatly, most will be sent to an adult mental institution (usually by the time they are 14 but in many places it is much younger than that).  Many, those who are able to minimally care for themselves, are sent into the streets to fend for themselves. It is beyond sad, and a scary proposition for these kids.  Everyone deserves a family!  Everyone deserves love!  Sadly, so many get neither.

The story that changed me was Kyle.  A beautiful little boy with Down Syndrome.  When Kyle was a toddler, a family committed to adopting him...such an exciting time.

Sadly, that was never to be as the country Kyle lived in closed adoptions to American's.  Kyle was sent to an adult mental institution, AS A CHILD!  Kyle was neglected and abused...

Kyle did not survive more than a few months!

This is the reality!  Children with special needs are discarded in many countries.  I had to do something!  Reece's Rainbow is the perfect place to "do something!" so I became involved.  If you know something is so wrong, you have to do what you can.  

We don't qualify or international adoption.  If we did, and we felt so called, we would go get our children.  That is not the case.  Instead, we will help those who are desperately trying to free their children and bring them home.  I will advocate for the children desperately waiting for their family to find and love them.

Everyone can do something!  EVERYONE!  You can pray for a child until their family finds them, you can donate to the adoption grant for a child awaiting a family.  It is so much easier for a family to commit if the funds are in place.  It is a costly undertaking.  You can donate to a family who is in process (oh what a process!).  Figure out what it is you can do!  Maybe, you are one of those chosen to adopt one of these beautiful children...don't hesitate!  Step out in faith!  You will not be sorry!  You will be given more than you could ever give!  Choose a child, choose a family...do what you can!

The good news?  That little boy in the ballpit that started me down this road...his family has found him and will be going to bring him home in the next several months!  

Why do you wait?

This boy needs his family to claim him!  Where are you Mama and Papa?  Beautiful Denzel has been transferred from the orphanage he was in to an institution for girls.  There are several boys that were transferred there that are in  "laying down rooms".  This new place, while it seems nice enough, is not even the same as the orphanage where he was previously.  There is no music or toys as the staff doesn't seem to think it is necessary.  The children are likely not held, again because it is not believed to be necessary.  The room is silent and the doors are closed.  Is this what you want for your son?  Is this how he should live the rest of his life?  Tell me it isn't so!

This child deserves a loving family.  A Mama who will hold him and sing him songs, a Papa who will massage his stiff muscles and give him big smiles, brothers and sisters who will love him and share their toys.  Are you his family?  Do you know someone who is his family?

Once you have heard the plight of the orphans, you cannot pretend you do not know!  The process can be daunting but the rewards are great!!!  The smiles of this little boy will pay eternal rewards.  Step forward and call him son.  You will not be sorry.  You will be truly blessed!

Denzel's Reece's Rainbow

Save him before it's too late!

This is Emil.  He is a beautiful young man with a very special extra chromosome.  He is fun and smiley and sadly, he lives in an orphanage.  He is in desperate need of a family before he ages out in December and is never allowed to be adopted. He has a grant that will pay for more than half of his adoption...please ask about Emil.  Please pass on his information so his family can find him.  It's too important not to!

 Once a child ages out, you just don't know what could happen.  Many end up in mental institutions and that is never good.

If you are interested in Emil or any other special needs child available for adoption, please don't wait.  What is it exactly you are waiting for?  A better job, a bigger house, more money?  All these kids want is LOVE.  Do you have that?  The rest will come.  These kids don't have time to wait for the perfect time.  They need you NOW.

Kids At Risk of Aging out this year

Reece's Rainbow

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!

Oh yes, it is true!  Today is my birthday!  Usually I don't make an announcement when this day rolls around.  I'm several years past making a big deal of my birthday.  However, this year I would like you to join me in celebrating this day.

Over the last several months, I have become involved in advocating for International Special Needs Adoption.  Special Needs Adoption has always been near to my heart.  When I became aware of the significant need of the orphans overseas, I couldn't help myself.  So many are in horrible places with little to no care.  They desperately need families to come for them.  They need love, care, proper nutrition, and medical treatment.  Most of all, they need the love of a family!

No adoption is cheap whether overseas or domestically.  The process of adopting any child overseas can be daunting, not to mention expensive.  Reece's Rainbow was founded to help children with special needs (initially Down Syndrome but now "Other Special Angels" have been added to include other special needs) find their families and help families raise the funds needed to rescue a child in need.  When a child is listed with Reece's Rainbow, a grant fund is set up for that child.  Anyone can donate to the child's grant.  The grant stays with the child and when a family commits to adopting that child and has gone thru the processes for approval (homestudy, government approval, etc.) and has approval to travel to meet the child, the funds are released to that family to assist in funding the adoption of that child.

There are many programs within Reece's Rainbow to help both the children and families adopting them.  One of those programs is the Guardian Angel Program .  The Guardian Angel Program is to increase awareness and raise additional grant donations for the "Other Angels" listed on Reece's Rainbow.  When you commit to be the Guardian Angel for a child, you agree to pray for that child and for that child's family to find them.  You also commit to trying to raise additional grant money for that child.  When a child has grant money to assist with funding the adoption, it makes it easier for a family to commit to adopting that child.  The higher the grant, the more likely a family will come forward and commit to a child.

I am the Guardian Angel for a little boy named Denzel.  This little man reminds me so much of my Oliver it sometimes makes me cry.  Denzel has spent his life in a crib, looking at the ceiling.  He loves attention and has the most wonderful smile and giggle.  He needs his family to find him soon!

In celebration of my birthday, I am asking you to donate to Denzel's adoption grant.  Any amount is that much closer to a family committing to this wonderful young man.  Yes, any amount at all...$1 gets him $1 closer to a family.  All donations made thru Reece's Rainbow are tax deductible.  Please celebrate my birthday with me and show some love to a boy who desperately needs a family.

URGENT NEED! God will provide! Is He calling you to help?

There is a wonderful family currently overseas in the process of adopting some very special children.  While they were there, God brought two more children forward for them to adopt.  Their trip is longer than anticipated and the cost of the two additional adoptions has added to the already mounting costs of staying overseas for so long.

This family needs help.  They are sure God has orchestrated this and he will provide.  I believe this also to be true.  Are you being called to help?  Every dollar helps get them closer to bringing these special kids home to be with their forever family.  Won't you help?

Please read about the Dewberry Family  Pray for them and give what you can!

Almost Home!

Adding one more...or is it two?  This family has made many trips in the process of adopting their new son.  On one of those trips, they met his sister...now they will both be a part of their family, together!  This family is on their way to pick up the newest additions to their family.  They need all the support they can get.  Do what you feel lead to do.  Please pray as prayers are always needed.  If you can donate, any amount, please do.  Definitely share the need so those who feel lead can pray, give and share.

The Owens Family

If you are lead to help someone who is traveling soon or now, there are many families who need your prayers and assistance.  Above all, pray.

Families Traveling Now

So many in need...choose one to save!

I understand not everyone is called to adopt.  Certainly if that were the case, there would be no orphans...wouldn't that be incredible???  However, we can all do something to help even one orphan be free from living in an orphanage or a mental institution their entire life.  What is it you feel lead to do to help?

There are tens of thousands of children around the world who need a family.  They need someone to love and care for them.  Someone to show them the love of a family.  You can choose one of these children or a family who is working toward adopting one of these children.  Pray for the child, pray for their family (even if the family has not yet found them).  You can donate...literally every $1 donation is $1 closer to that child being with their family.  You can share, tweet, blog...whatever it is you do.  Tell everyone you know that orphans matter.  When you share, people you know share and so on and so on.

Reece's Rainbow is an organization that assists by setting up grants for children awaiting adoption in countries around the world.  Once a family has committed to a child, the money stays with the child until the family travels to see them.  It seems it is sometimes easier for a family to commit to a child when they see all or part of the adoption expenses are covered by a grant.  It makes the often cumbersome process a little easier.

If not Reece's Rainbow, find another organization that you feel comfortable with and donate to help save a child.  We can all do something to help.  What will you do?

Please know many countries are far behind the USA in the way disabled individuals and orphans are treated.  In so many countries, babies born with any type of special need are considered a curse or, at the very least, are a burden on the family they cannot afford.  There are so many orphanages (as there used to be here as well).  Some are nice enough and do the very best they can for the children (some with foster care options for young children).  Others are not at all nice and the children barely survive, if at all.  When the children age out, that is an even worse fate in most countries.  Children are put out on the street to beg or steal.  They are sold for prostitution or trafficing.  If they are placed in another facility, it is likely an adult mental institution.  I hear that many will admit children transferred from an orphanage to an institution do not live long; either due to neglect or abuse.  Almost none, whether they need it or not, receive proper medical treatment.  It is such a sad situation.  You can help...if just one!

If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done? Proverbs 24:12

Jesus Loves the Children!

Jesus loves the children...it is played over and over again in my head!

While on a business trip last week, I used the little free time I had to read Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo.  I highly recommend this book!  It is the true life account of a family who touched Heaven thru their son.  He was very ill and had emergency surgery to save his life.  The child began to tell his parents about his visit to Heaven while he was in surgery in stunning detail.  He provided information about people he never knew or met on this earth (including a sister that his mother miscarried) that was completely accurate.  At one point in the book, he is telling his parents frequently that "Jesus loves the children."  He is adamant about it.

I truly believe Jesus does love the children.  There are many accounts of Jesus love for children in the Bible.  It is clear this is something that should evoke passion.  It is our responsibility to show the love of Jesus to the children of the world.

I have a passion for all children but there is a special place in my heart for special needs orphans.  Most recently, this little boy has stolen my heart and I plan on doing all I can to help his family find him.  Despite the life he has been given, living in an orphanage his entire life so far, this boy has the joy of Jesus in his eyes, in his smile and in his amazing giggle.  This young man will be a special addition to any family.  He he your son?

Reece's Rainbow - Denzel's Grant Fund

Not everyone is called to adopt.  I understand that.  However, you cannot pretend you do not see the plight of the orphans of the world.  What will you do to help?  You can simply pass along this information.  Possibly someone you know or someone who knows someone you know are his family.  You can pray for his family to find him...prayer is a mighty tool!  You can donate to his adoption grant which will help his family to go get him once they find him.  There is something you can do...something everyone can do!

If his family doesn't commit to him soon, he will be transferred.  This is often not good.  I have seen the joy and life drain from the face of a child that has been transferred.  

LOVE...this child needs the love of a family.  Please help me find them!

If you need more information, let me know.  If you have questions, ask.  If are his family, I will do all I can to help you go get him.  

Please pray what you will do to help this boy and his family find each other!

Jesus LOVES the children...let's show Denzel the love!!!

Such a wonderful smile!!!

Despite all he is going thru, he still has a wonderful smile!  Is this your son?  Do you want this to be your son?  Tell me what you need to make it happen.  As long as you meet the qualifications for international adoption, this beautiful angel can be your son.  I will do all I can to help.  Tell me what you need.

You can't adopt but want to help?  Please share, tweet, blog and/or donate.  Together, we can all help to bring this beautiful boy home to his forever family!

Is this YOUR son? I am praying for his family to find him!

For months I have been reading about, praying for, hoping for and dreaming of children who need families having their families find them and bring them home to get the love and family they so deserve.  There are a special few I pray for everyday...12 to be exact.  One special angel awaiting their family to find them for each of our special angels in Heaven and on Earth.  Five of the special angels I pray for daily have had their families find them.  Oh yes, a child moving to the My Family Found Me page is so exciting for all!  I will continue praying for them even until they are home and safe with their families.

Then it happened.  The post that immediately brought me to my knees and drove me to tears.  A Mama who awaits her husband's return from overseas with one of their beautiful angels posts a picture of another little boy who lives in the same orphanage as her new son.  This beautiful creature has a smile that melts my heart and I KNOW that I must do all I can to help his family find him.  He seems to be so much like our "Angel Man".  They have the same smile, the same beautiful eyes, the same spirit.  The one difference is...our "Angel Man" has a family who loves and cares for him.  This little guy is not only in an orphanage, but is in the laying down room.  The laying down room...the place where few orphans, if any, can get out of their crib.  The place where those with medical needs are given the bare minimum if any treatment.  The place where they get little interaction or stimulation.  It's a sad, lonely place.  And yet, this beautiful boy has this smile which melts my heart.

Today I have heard that if there is not a family interested in pursuing his adoption he will be transferred.  Transferred????  This is an incredibly scary thought.  Transferred and mean sent to an adult mental institution.  PLEASE!!!  If you aren't his family, please share with everyone you know and ask them to share.  Passing this on will help his family to find him.  You can also donate to his adoption fund.  The more money that is available, the easier it will be for his family to commit.  If you feel lead, please give your tax deductible donation for Denzel   http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=denzel

I just know in my soul, I am meant to do all I can to help his family find him.  Are you his family?  I will do all I can to help you get to him if you are his family!

Rescuing Special Angels

While I have been involved in special needs adoption for a long time, it hasn't been until recently that I have been drawn to International Special Needs Adoption.  Quite honestly, other than the desire to have no birthparent involvement after adoption, I couldn't have  imagined why someone would want to go thru the process.  Then...

Several months ago I saw a posting for a little guy with Down Syndrome who needed a family and none were coming forward.  How is that possible?  There are so many families looking for children with Down Syndrome and I know when one is looking for his or her family, many will apply no matter the cost.  This little guy was across the ocean.  His picture lead me to Reece's Rainbow.  So many children waiting for their forever families to find them.

Not long after I started becoming acquainted with Reece's Rainbow the story of Kyle took the wind right out of me.  Kyle was a baby born with Down Syndrome in a country that treats the disabled as if they are not human.  He was one of the "lucky ones" as he was in an orphanage that took good care of their babies.  He received therapy and was doing well.  Kyle had a family committed to him but that wasn't to be.  No one was allowed to adopt Kyle because his country shut the door.  As happens to many children with special needs in orphanages in other countries who have no one coming for them, Kyle was transferred to a mental institution.  He was neglected and abused for months before this poor, sweet angel could take no more.  Kyle now flies with the angels.  Here is Kyle...so sad :(

How many more will suffer as Kyle suffered?  Why do people think this is okay?  I tell you this, it is NOT okay.

I know it is not possible for everyone to adopt.  You don't have to adopt in order to help.  You can help fund a grant for a waiting child on Reece's Rainbow, you can help fund a family currently making their way thru the adoption process for a child or children overseas.  You can also share this information with everyone you know.  Sometimes these children's families find them when someone shares the information.   You just never know. 

Share on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, email friends and family, members of your church.  Get the word out there.  This is important and life saving!