There is a place.... it is not a "geographical" place...but rather one in our "virtual" world. I first heard of this place probably a little more than a year ago. I would visit from time to time. Each time I went back I found that while so many things were different.....there was much that stayed the same. The thing that never changes is that there are always new children arriving on any given day. And there are always so many different faces to see.
There are many that are found by their families! But not enough! There is still more work to do!
WE can make a difference.
Whether through financial support, prayer or adopting we can all do something!
This place is Reece's Rainbow. Here is their mission statement...
The mission of Reece's Rainbow is to rescue orphans with Down syndrome through the gift of adoption, to raise awareness for all of the children who are waiting in 25 countries around the world, and to raise funds as adoption grants that help adoptive families afford the high cost of adopting these beautiful children.
I encourage you to read more about their beginnings and how
they are helping many orphans all over the world!
For some this post may be "hard" to look at.... Oh I hear so many people say that its just too hard to look at these children. I do understand... but I think it isn't in the "looking" that people find so hard... it is more the looking away. It is seeing and knowing. Knowing that there are children suffering needlessly. Knowing that we live our lives with so much..and with so many comforts and half a world away, these little ones suffer. Most don't even get picked up! They lay in their cribs for days. The days turn into weeks and the weeks into months...and then years. THIS is what is HARD! It's living with knowing.... It is living with SEEING! It is living with trying NOT TO LOOK! FOR REAL! NO ONE WANTS TO LOOK BECAUSE THEN THEY MAY HAVE TO ASK THEMSELVES THE HARD QUESTIONS! What am I doing? How can this be happening? I feel so selfish! I know I should do something but I dont know what to do.
Oh but please...... if these precious children could speak what do you think they would ask of us or demand from us that we honestly couldn't give? Hold Me...just for 30 minutes a day?..... Smile at me.... please... when you walk by to do the "duties of the day" could you just smile at me? Feed me please? I promise not to ask for too much! Just feed me something! Could I have a warm blanket and a dry diaper? How about some fuzzy warm pajamas? Would you help my family bring me home! Would you support my family in prayer! Please share my picture with others so they may be moved to help! Please love me!
I know.... I know... right now many may be saying "wait a minute Laurie, I don't feel "called" to adoption, don't start again!" This is not just about adopting an orphan... it is about doing what you CAN do to help! Whatever God puts on your heart... BUT PEOPLE! YOU MUST LOOK! You must look to understand and see and hear and be changed!
THEN you will be able to do whatever it is that He wants you to do!
This is not a post of hostility...but rather a PLEA in PASSION FOR COMPASSION!
THEN you will be able to do whatever it is that He wants you to do!
This is not a post of hostility...but rather a PLEA in PASSION FOR COMPASSION!
I hope to share several of the children listed there every so often.... so that they can be seen! So that the voice of the orphan will grow louder and louder. So that they can have more people to pray for them! And you just never know what God will do in the hearts of those who see... with the veil gone and the scales fallen away.......that is my prayer... for those who turn to Christ to be able to see!
2 Corinthians 3:15-17 NLT
Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered
with that veil, and they do not understand.
But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. \
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom
When I look...I ask God to let me see them through His eyes.... with His perspective..... they don't deserve the life sentence that potentially awaits them... they deserve at the very least....
a life of being loved in whatever capacity they are at... they deserve the
love of the Father delivered through a family!
Psalm 68:4-6 NLT
Sing praises to God and to his name!
Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the Lord—
rejoice in his presence! Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
God places the lonely in families;
he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land
Here are a few... please please pray for them and for their families to fearlessly step out in faith to bring each of them home! I believe with all of my heart that they each have a family chosen for them by our Father...the creator of families! Watch out, you just might fall in love!
If you have any questions about them you can find them on Reece's website under the
Newly Listed Children Tab at the top and inquire there.
(These are not necessarily their "birth names" but just for references.)
Say Hello to Walt!
Walt is a 4-year-old boy has massive hydrocephalus, hypotrophy and
delayed neuro-psychological development.
He does not stand upright and does not make steps; He is unstable if not provided with some kind of support.The child does not react when being called by name. He does not understand the adults’ speech. According to the caregivers, the child sometimes pronounces unspecified sound combinations when contacted by an adult. When stimulated with verbal and tactile stimuli, the child reacts with a brief look.He does not reach for and does not hold objects with his hands.The child eats alone, assisted by an adult. He cannot control his physiological needs.
Sweet sweet redheaded Myra!
Myra is a 6-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
She can pick up a toy by herself and plays with it. She makes random inarticulate screams and sounds. Sometimes she pronounces sound combinations. She likes communicating with familiar people: the staff at the orphanage and the other child in her room. She cries and sulks when an unfamiliar person enters the room. She laughs aloud when teased. The child can sit in bed independently for a while. She reaches out and takes a hanging toy to play with it. When given a toy from an adult she takes it and manipulates it. She likes listening to a rotating musical toy. She is fed with a bottle.
Precious Jocelyn!
Jocelyn is 6-year-old girl with Down Syndrome who is awaiting her forever family to find her. She can’t walk independently. She can crawl and sit without support. She pronounces mainly undefined sounds. She doesn’t respond when being called by name. She has started demonstrating interest in the other children and their actions in the playroom. She smiles to a known adults. She can’t control her physiological needs and needs adults assistance.
Reed has stolen my heart! I would hold him 24/7!
Reed is a 2-year-old boy with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and CP.
He is passive while in his bed, he can’t control his head and his legs do not support him. The staff changes his body position. He reacts to strong noisy interactions with spontaneous quailing. He cannot speak and make sounds. He takes liquid food from a nasogastric tube.
He gains weight and sleep well.
Charming Alright! Meet Ezra!
Boy, born Oct 2011
Ezra is just over a year old. He has congenital internal hydrocephalus operated; anemia; protein-energy deficiency. Ezra has had a shunt placed, and is doing better. this picture is after the shunt was placed. His adoption may necessitate consultations with medical personnel to safely transport him home. Ezra has had a shunt placed, and is doing better. This picture is after the shunt was placed. His adoption may necessitate consultations with medical personal, to safely transport him home.
Say hello to this handsome boy! Jefferson!
Jefferson's story is heartbreaking!
Boy, born April 2006
After-effects of traumatic brain injury, brain contusion, right hemiparesis, ptosis, OS
F06.8, F80.1, F 88.0
F06.8, F80.1, F 88.0
In May 2011 the boy fell off the third floor and his condition is the result of the injury. He has some vision and speech impairment but he is a very smart and nice boy.
He is still in the orphanage but will be transferred to the institution soon if we don’t find him a family FAST!
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