Orphan Report

Malcolm: A final update

2014-01-09T09:13:00.001-08:00

Almost two years ago, we all began to rally for a little special needs Russian orphan named "Malcolm", whose real name is Marat. We raised money for his adoption and supported the couple who came forward to make him their son, my dear friends Charles and Elisabeth Smith. I was to be his godmother. Just weeks before the Smiths were to make their second trip to Russia to be declared his parents, the door was slammed shut forever.

Finally, Elisabeth is telling the heartbreaking story of how they lost the little boy who, in their hearts, will always be their son.

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We entered into the process of international adoption expecting heartbreak. We approached each milestone steeling ourselves for disappointment. Could we raise the money? Could we pass a home study? Would he like us? Would his disabilities be more than we could handle? Because of this expectation I reinforced my spine with steel and staunchly protected my heart.

We had first considered adopting Marat [aka "Malcolm"] back in March of 2012. He is a beautiful little boy with chocolate brown eyes and a spirit that shows through in every picture. We eagerly watched and re-watched a short video showing his early attempts at walking, begging every Russian speaker we knew to help decipher the garbled voices and tell us what was being said. Our community, both those we knew and those we had yet to meet, reached out and embraced him, helping us raise money for the adoption process, sending him gifts, and helping us through the perplexing and frustrating process of international adoption.

In March 2012, he was not yet 5 years old and in a baby house near Moscow. We were told that when he turned 5 in April he would be moved to a home for older children. There were fears that between his cerebral palsy and his Muslim heritage he would not be treated well in a new facility. The caretakers at his baby house kept him from being transferred for a long time but they could not prevent the inevitable. By the time we got to Russia that October, he had been in the new place for several months. It was not ideal. The man in charge viewed us with great suspicion. On the first day he fought hard to keep us from meeting Marat and we were only able to spend a short time with him – in the Director's office, at a conference table surrounded by adults. His world had been ripped from him just months before and now there were these strangers who couldn’t speak Russian trying to get him to relax enough to use the crayons they had brought. The translator told him we were his mama and papa, come to get him and take him home. I can only imagine what he was thinking.

Those first visits were not conducive to relationship building. They took place in a classroom with tables and chairs far bigger than he. I am sure he thought we were crazy when we got down on the floor to play with him – I know the staff watching us thought we were. He was hyper, excited to play with the forbidden classroom toys and pumped by the candies the translator kept giving him. Like all survivors in difficult circumstances he knew an opportunity when he saw it, and he played our visits for all they were worth. I wasn’t sure he was even capable of seeing us as anything more than a temporary means to an end, until Thursday. That was when he first made real eye contact, when he reached out to me, snuggled in my arms, buried his face in my neck and held on for dear life. That was when I let my guard down and allowed myself to believe.

When we left on Friday he helped me pack up the bag of toys we had brought and informed everyone he was leaving with his new mama and papa. It hurt to have to tell him that he couldn’t leave with us, he had to wait for what would seem like a long time. I promised him we would be back after Christmas. I hugged him, blessed him, asked Mary to protect him, and we left. The assistant director walked us out and told us we were kind people and he would help prepare Marat for our return in January. It was snowing, and I cried, hoping that the snowflakes would hide my tears. I didn’t want the staff or even our translator and driver to know I was crying.

Leaving him behind was so very hard.

I had always assumed that heart break happened all at once, like one of those videos where the DIYer accidentally hammers a nail into the glass when replacing a window and the whole thing shatters into a million pieces. But it turns out that it can happen painfully slowly, each crack resonating loudly and painfully throughout your soul. In early December, President Obama signed the Magnitsky act, an ineffective piece of legislation critical of a human rights situation in Russia. Within days the Duma had responded, ultimately crafting the Dima Yakovlev bill that banned Americans from adopting. The bill moved through the legislative process with deafening speed and was signed into law on December 28th. No Americans could adopt Russian orphans.

Then there were days of questioning. How would they deal with those of us who had met our children? Would they grandfather us in? There was talk of 39 in-process families who would be allowed to adopt. Did that include us? My days were spent scanning Russian media with Google Translate and talking with other families through social media. Our hopes were raised and dashed, often hourly. For a while looked like we would be able to complete the adoption, we received a court date, bought visas and booked flights. Hours before our departure were we told that the court had met early and we were denied.

All this time the families were beginning to band together and working the political angle hoping for resolution. Many of us met in Washington DC in March hoping to get President Obama to appeal on our behalf. That meeting imploded under the weight of too many expectations and a manipulative “leader” who was out for his own gain. The families were fractured and often secretive with one another – each group fearing the tactics of another might jeopardize any potential resolution. Some families wanted to work back channels, some sued it in the European courts, others wanted President Obama to make an open and public appeal; each choice seemed irrevocable and fraught with risk. Parents who started out with only love and a desire to share it were now bound by the fear of what fate would befall their children.

We continued to talk to families, listen to media, and pray. I had been blessed to meet those who had contacts in the Russian orphan community and I was able the glean information that way. While attending a women’s conference here in town a week or so after the DC trip, I received word that things were not going well with Marat and he was deteriorating quickly. I was helpless; standing alone outside in the wind, again hoping no one would see my tears. Another crack in my heart resounded.

In May I heard that a Russian family was interested in Marat. There were those that advocated we do whatever we could (however little that was) to prevent them from taking our boy home. That was never an option for us. From the very beginning of this journey the most important thing was that he found a home, a family. My friends let me know what was happening in the process: when the family met Marat, their struggles with the orphanage staff, etc. The hardest thing was learning that he was still waiting for us and resistant to the new family because of it. We sent word to the family that we were very supportive of their relationship with Marat and a letter to Marat telling him we loved him and always would, but that his new parents also loved him and would be there forever. I don’t know if they received our words of encouragement but I hope they know Marat’s happiness and safety is more important to us than anything.

By the end of June we received a photo by email of Marat leaving the institution.

I hope someday he is able to know that our love for him is genuine and deep and that we did not walk away voluntarily or without a fight.

We love you, Marat.

I also hope all of those who have supported us know how important that support was and how grateful we are. There were early encouragers, financial supporters (large and small) and a surprising group of reporters and former politicians we met through the internet who tried to assist through back channels and who helped us understand Russia and the political process there and, ultimately, to come to terms with the inevitability of the situation.

Now we pray and we ask for your prayers. When a child has been institutionalized for his whole life it can be very difficult to adjust to family life. Such children don’t know how to trust, and things they did for survival in that environment don’t work in a loving family. I haven’t heard much about how he is doing, but I am sure the road will have some bumps in it. He and his new family need all of our prayers if they are to help him be as healthy and happy as possible. I also humbly ask prayers for our family. In many ways Charles and I have isolated ourselves in the last year, not wanting to burden others with our pain. Our hearts are harder than they once were and we hold ourselves too stiffly. We need our community more as we heal from this loss than we did in the process of adoption.

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We love you, Charles and Eli!

Tatiana needs redemption

2013-11-11T17:40:00.001-08:00

Tatiana!

Tatiana is a beautiful little girl, and she has a $200 matching grant running until November 16. Anything you donate to her fund up to that amount will be matched, dollar for dollar. From a woman who met her one year ago:

Tatiana is a darling, sweet little girl that I had the pleasure of meeting exactly one year ago today. She is living in an orphanage in Eastern Europe without a family to call her own. She desperately wants and needs a family. This is an account from another adoptive family who also met Tatiana in 2011.

Tatiana is a sweetheart, and she wants a mama so badly. When we’d go to get our kids, she kept asking “And Tania? And Tania?” She would sob when we would leave her with the groupa. Out of all the kids there, she was the only that I saw playing pretend – eating pretend food, taking care of baby dolls. She is very emotionally fragile, and she seems to get overwhelmed. She is very small and thin. She has big blue eyes, and she desperately wants to be held and cuddled.

Along with growing up from birth without the love of a family, she is also living with HIV. In the United States, living with HIV means taking daily medication, and living a full life. That is not what it means in Eastern Europe.

If she makes it to 16, she will be put on the streets with a modest amount of money. She will be given an ID card that states she is an orphan, and that she is HIV positive. Even if she had skills, no one will hire her because of her orphan and HIV status. She will not have access to her necessary medication. She will likely turn to a life of crime (prostitution, stealing), and drug and alcohol abuse. Some orphanages have informants telling people in the sex trade when the children are going to be released. They are easy marks. They have no family or friends. No one will even notice they are missing.

Click my photo for more information.

Tatiana needs our help. By donating to her grant, it could encourage a family to step forward and bring her into their home. To give her a family. International adoption is very costly, and is a major hurdle for some.

No child should have to face this future. Please consider donating to Tatiana by clicking here.

God bless you for caring, and please remember that the $200 matching grant for Tatiana ends on November 16.

Heartbreak: Andrew and Oliver reslisted

2013-09-10T23:28:00.000-07:00

It is with a broken heart that I tell you that Andrew and Oliver have been relisted on Reece's Rainbow as being available again for adoption. The family who had previously committed is unable to complete their adoptions.

Please, please, their time is very short. Soon, they will be headed for institutions and the outcomes there are dire.

They have large grants and I can direct you to folks who have met them. Andrew is blind, and Oliver has a type of dwarfism. They don't deserve what is about to be their fate.

I am too sad to say more. Just please, pray. And find families.

Andrew and Oliver

This older girl just breaks my heart. Time is running out.

2013-08-22T21:42:00.001-07:00

Here is Karen, a beautiful young teen who has NO future in her own country:

From the site:

Karen is the older, biological sister of Chrystyna. She is a beautiful Roma girl with dark hair, dark eyes, and olive skin. She is 17 years old. She is healthy and smart and has no diagnosed special needs. She goes to school and has no negative behavioral issues. She is just a teen in need of a loving family!

Karen and Chrystyna are living in different orphanages, but in the same region. It would only be possible for Karen to be adopted WITH her younger sister. Due to her age, she can not be adopted on her own.

If you might be seeking a sibling set, please inquire! Both girls need a loving family!

Sigh. Please pray. Please spread the word. Surely this child and her sister will not face all of life without a family?

Carol, a little doll!

2013-07-26T00:34:00.000-07:00

This sweet little angel, Carol, has Down Syndrome and is on the verge of turning three years old! What a precious little girl sitting on her great big toy!

Click my photo for more details!

She is a lively one, as her profile shows:

Carol loves sitting and rocking on her hobby horse! She is enjoys listening to music and rocking on her horse. She can sit on the bed steadily and can stand with hands holding onto the bed rails. Sometimes when she sees other children take her favorite toy she will try and take it back.

Sounds like a fighting spirit to me! Life in an institution has not squashed her yet. ;) Wouldn't it be a dream to see this small, hopeful child in the arms of loving parents? With a warm bed and a cozy room, maybe a pet and some siblings to call her own? Please pray for Carol, and spread the word. She is deserving of a home and a family, like every little girl should have. Her potential is so great, and she just needs the chance.

Be still my heart!

2013-06-30T23:41:00.005-07:00

Oh, look at this angel!

Noah is a six-year-old by with cerebral palsy, who would no doubt be helped immensely by the care of American doctors and therapists.

Click my photo for more info!

His profile info gives so much hope…

Noah is a sweet boy with light brown hair and big blue eyes. He was born with CP and is significantly cognitively delayed. He is not able to walk at this time, but loves to be held and loves attention and affection. His possibilities are endless!

...and he has $1,000 in his adoption fund already!

C'mon guys, let's find Noah his forever family! You can see he's ready to go home and be loved by his mommy and daddy! Something tells me he is going to be an amazing son. :)

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Marshall!! How can this be?

2013-06-12T23:55:00.001-07:00

This little sprite was two years old when I first spotted him last year:

Click my photo for more info!

I never in a million years thought he'd still be waiting at the age of three, but he is still in the orphanage, a little, perfect boy needing a family:

Marshall, when oh when will it be your turn? I will not stop shouting for you till you have found your family

God bless you, sweet boy! Stay strong!

Sweet Iris (with a huge adoption grant!)

2013-05-26T23:04:00.001-07:00

The older children with HIV are heartbreakers to me. It is so unjust that they sit without families, languishing in orphanages, when they should be doing what every other child at their age does, beloved by mom and dad, perhaps with siblings, growing strong and happy and healthy.

Iris is a young lady (born 2001) with a beautiful smile and a heart of gold.

Read what one visitor said about her just last year:

"Iris is a sweet girl who loves attention and physical affection. She loves to be hugged and will play with your hair and sit in your lap. She is a big helper within her group, and is a good friend (more like a big sister) to many of the other kids in her group. She is very affectionate with those kids, and will play with them and try to pick them up. She has great play skills, and loves dolls. She also enjoys playing with balloons (hitting them back and forth to other people), and coloring with markers. I have been told she was not burnt, but that she has a birthmark. She is taking medication for her hiv. Her cognitive abilities and social awareness are not what you would expect from a child of her age, and I am not sure how much of this is due to orphanage delays."

This precious child has over $16,000 available in her grant, which can be used to fund her adoption. The rest could easily be raised by a few strategic fundraisers. Iris has many Reece's Rainbow followers who love her and would be happy to help a family bring her home.

Please click on her photos for more information, and please, spread the word and pray for Iris to find the family she has hoped for!

Simon is my son's age. He hasn't got much time.

2013-03-26T23:51:00.001-07:00

I have a son, Paul, who is just a few months younger than Simon. My son is a freshman in high school, making good grades, enjoying sports and leisure and the love of a stable family in a cozy, safe home. He has every chance in life.

Simon, who might have been my son's friend in another life, is experiencing his own life very differently. When he turns 16 in October, he will have lost his chance to be adopted. He has about six months before his hope for a family is gone. I am begging you to spread the word about this young man, and let's rally to find him a family before it's too late.

Click my photo for more information.

A wonderful woman named Jane George met Simon last February and took the pictures you see here. In her own words:

Simon on Reece's Rainbow is as bright as a button. Somehow he found my bag, he had found my phone, he was mortified...he had broken it. Actually he had taken the whole phone apart to be more accurate, it sat in pieces. The look on his face as he brought it apologetically to me said an awful lot about this boy, he was crestfallen, mortified, just so sorry. But that twinkle was still there, I suspect if I had spent more time with him I would have liked him very much. I suspect I would have seen a boy of great potential, a fun spirit and a dreaming vision.

This is a boy who wants a family, the workers who do spend time with him, who do know him even say this! But Simon is running out of time, he needs somebody to act now....right now, before he ages out! He has only till this October to be adopted.

Watch this video where you can see his twinkling eyes and bright smile and listen to his voice (he has a special message)….

I am told by another lady who knows him that he dearly wishes for a family and is getting more and more discouraged. Please don't let Simon be lost forever, never having known a real family. Spread the word, and please pray. His family must be out there somewhere, but they need to act fast.

God bless you for not turning a blind eye to Simon in his urgent need. As the mother of a spirited teen boy his age, I know what a blessing he will be for some wonderful family.

Sometimes you just wonder...

2013-02-23T14:40:00.001-08:00

…why someone like Griffith is not adopted already? He is four years old -- described as "a very nice boy!" -- with minimal hydrocephalus.

That's it? That's doable!

What an amazing son he would be! Imagine him outside of an orphanage and safe and loved in a family of his own!

Click my picture and come get me!!

Please share Griffith on your facebook, twitter, email, blogs…. he is just precious, and ready to start his new life!

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Tears and prayers for Marina Z

2013-02-03T22:06:00.003-08:00

There is a beautiful little four-year-old girl who lives across the ocean and who is loved very much. We know her as "Marina Z", and although she is an orphan, there is a family who would take her into their home in a heartbeat, but they do not qualify for her country's requirements. Sadly, her country is now closed to all Americans wishing to adopt.

However, the woman who introduced me to her -- the woman who wishes she could be Marina's mother -- wants you to know her and pray for her. Here is Michelle, in her own words:

It is tough to write about my Sweet Marina Z without crying. Since I started advocating for her 2 years ago, so many people have said that they were surprised that they had not noticed her. She is so beautiful and such a good girl and last year in April she turned 4 and was transferred away from the only home she had ever known to an “older child” facility far away from her Baby House. Even before the ban on U.S. adoptions in her country, my husband and I did not qualify to adopt her, so I pray and fundraise and pray and pray that she will finally catch the eye of her Mommy and Daddy and they will bring her home. Even with the adoption ban, I continue to pray—for her to feel the arms of God around her and feel comfort; for her country to come to their senses and remove the ban; for her Mommy and Daddy to find her and go and get her… She is such a sweet girl. I hope that those who may read this can join me in praying for her future family. I cannot lose hope. I love Sweet Marina Z so much. Thank you.

Marina Z's profile describes her this way:

Marina is another tiny munchkin who needs a loving family to help her be as active and mobile as she can! … Blonde-haired, inquisitive, sociable, happy. Enjoys educational games. Dances. Loves to play ball, rolls and throws a ball. Compassionate, feels sorry for a crying child.

Dear readers, prayers transcend time and space, and God can do miracles if he wills -- even the miracle of letting a little orphan girl feel waves of love from people she cannot see and will never meet. Thank you for praying, both for Marina Z and for the officials in her country, that their hearts may be softened and the adoption ban lifted.

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Two months ago, Henry died. His mom is asking you for a favor.

2013-01-28T14:07:00.002-08:00

Reprinted from wonderful Carla's blog today. Please consider sharing….

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Two months ago today, Henry died.

As my pastor Fr. Greg said at his funeral, "He went from hell to the heaven of your arms to the heaven that never ends."

Today I bring you Darren...

Another little boy living in Henry's country....who needs to come to the heaven of a family before being transferred to the hell of an institution.

He SHOULD have been transferred to that institution NOW because he just turned 5 years old...

but an advocate friendly with the director at the baby house got them to give him 6 MONTHS before transfer.

He has 6 months to find a family or the rest of his life will look like this.

According to a family who met him in late 2012 (while adopting their child), he is gentle with others. He listens to and follows basic directions from caregivers. He has a developmental delay in all areas. He has "clubfeet" and walks with help.

Abby has met him before and blogged about him HERE and she took this precious photo and wrote these words: "He is in this photo. You can't see his face, but you can see affection. He used the small fence around the play area for support to walk over to this little girl and gently rub her hair."

Today I am going to ask you for a favor.

PLEASE share Darren....

in honor of Henry...

to find him a family before it is too late.

A friend has provided a $100 Prepaid Mastercard. If you share Darren's Reece's Rainbow profile:

http://reecesrainbow.org/439/darren405

you get an entry to win the card (leave a comment below telling me how you shared).

If you share Darren's Facebook Group:

Darren Needs a Family

you get an entry to win the card (leave a comment under my FB post)

If you blog about Darren on YOUR blog (and leave a comment and link to your blog here) you get 5 entries to win the card.

We are running this "SHARIN' DARREN GIVEAWAY" from today until February 28...

or until he finds a family, whichever comes first :-)

We are not asking for money for his Reece's Rainbow grant fund...but if you want to go to his Reece's Rainbow profile page linked above and click the "Donate Now" button on the bottom left and put in a little something today to show his family that we will support them when the time comes...

well...it would make this grieving momma's day a bit brighter.

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Tatiana, the little dollie!

2013-01-21T21:09:00.003-08:00

I've been following Tatiana for as long as I have been following the Reece's Rainbow children, and like everyone else, I fell in love with this beautiful face. Who wouldn't?

A family had hoped to adopt her, but when they arrived in her country and met her, Tatiana's needs were far greater than what they had expected. Reluctantly, they had to let her go (and they did go on to adopt another orphan more suited to the level of care they could give).

So, Tatiana is sill available, and waiting for that very special family that can take on a child with FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) and possibly other conditions or behavioral issues that have been exacerbated by life in an institution. She is just six years old, and I pray that by her seventh birthday, she will have a family committed to bringing her home.

If you might be that special family, please click on Tatiana's photo for more information.

If you are not her family, consider sharing her on your blog or facebook page, as exposure (and lots of it!) saves these children.

And please, don't forget to pray for her.

Sisters! One could save the other.

2013-01-11T15:14:00.001-08:00

Just look at these beautiful girls.

Karen and Chrystyna are sisters, and in a strange twist of fate (or more accurately, God's providence), Karen has an opportunity to be adopted, even though other teen orphans her age, in her country, can no longer legally be adopted.

You see, Karen is a healthy 16-year-old girl with no special needs (aside from needing a family), and as long as she is adopted with her little sister, Chrystyna -- who is ten years old and does have some special needs -- Karen also can be saved! The law allows for keeping siblings together.

In this unusual case, Chrystyna's special needs ironically become a blessing to her sister, as both girls are given the extraordinary opportunity to stay together and be saved from sad fates in their own country.

Click for more information on beautiful Karen!

Click photo for much more information on Chrystyna,
and a second picture!

Please consider these sisters for your daughters, and if you cannot be their family, then please pray for them, and share their information.

These gorgeous girls have so much promise. They just need someone, somewhere, to say "yes".

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Urgent diaper drive for orphans!

2013-01-02T21:13:00.000-08:00

I have received a heartfelt plea from Sylvia Middleton, who is bringing home her two girls from Eastern Europe:

My husband and I are in country right now adopting two girls! We visit our youngest soon-to-be daughter's orphanage everyday and have seen first hand the extreme, urgent need for diapers there!

Several times, our little one has leaked through on us and when we check her diaper, it always appears to have not been changed the entire day. I don't think this is because of neglect. I think it is because the orphanage does not receive the funding to be able to give each child more than one diaper change a day!

We have purchased diapers for our girl and gave them to her caregivers but they are not just using them for her, they are using them for all of the children in her groupa. I understand this. However, we are doing this diaper drive to be able to give the entire orphanage a stockpile of diapers that will last them a while and hopefully will get these babies dry and keep them that way for a while.

We will do the diaper drive from now until next Friday, January 11th. Before we leave to come back home, we will purchase as many packs of diapers as money that has been donated will allow. We will also take a picture of all of the diapers being delivered to the orphanage and post it.

If you feel to donate to this cause please see the chip-in link listed here, or simply donate using the link below.

(My friend, Kelly Fowler, and fellow orphan advocate set up the chip-in up herself to vouch for the fact that the funding is being used for this purpose.)

Thank you so much,
The Middleton Family

Thanks to everyone who contributes to help these babies, and thank you for prayers, even if you can't contribute at this time.

God bless you!

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Meet Mack! And let's make him known!

2012-12-27T23:17:00.000-08:00

Oh, how I wish I could tell you everything there is to know about this sweet, quiet boy with Down Syndrome who is about to turn five. But there is only this adorable photo, and the following short description:

So cute! Mack is happy and active.
Walking, able to use his ride on toys, likes to play with others.

Sounds like the perfect son to me! Mack, surely your mama is out there? Maybe even reading this post?

Click my photo for more info!

Wonderful Lisa is a mom who advocates for Mack, and she has this to say:

My 13 year old daughter Meredith (who also has Down syndrome) and I pray for him with all our hearts. We want him to know the love and care of a family because he is a precious boy who deserves a chance to live up to his potential outside the walls of an institution. I keep praying that someone will see his adorable face on there and claim him for their own!

Lisa and Meredith's prayers to the heavens, combined with some legwork on the ground, is what will make the difference for this boy. It's in spreading his name and face that we will find a mama for this beautiful child! Please, help Mack find his way out of an orphanage and into a real family!

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Three with HIV who break my heart. They are just like your children.

2012-12-11T23:20:00.000-08:00

Oh, my heart. I have kids this age.

Please meet three older children with HIV, who are fully functioning, typical kids, and who are only in orphanages because of their HIV status. Ironically, these kids are living perfectly healthy lives with a normal lifespan ahead:

Beautiful Estelle, age 14

Dashing Gerard, age 14

Handsome Brian, age 11

Aren't they gorgeous? And, doesn't it frustrate the heck out of you that they are relegated to life in an orphanage for no good reason? It makes me crazy. It makes no sense!

Please click any of their pictures for more information, and please look here for quick FAQs about HIV. It is not scary anymore. It's really not.

This is the part that is just so hard to take: Although HIV is not spread by casual contact, hugging, kissing, being on the playground, or playing sports (the virus is not found in sweat, tears, urine, saliva, or snot), these children have no future in their home country once they age out of the system at age 16. I can't even bear to tell you what they face. Let's just say that their futures are very, abysmally bleak. Again, for no good reason!

Please consider adopting an older child with HIV, as it really is the only chance that child will get. And please, please, please, help spread the word about these precious ones, who are just like the rest of us, in need of families and love and a future.

God bless you!

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Anne, the little dolly

2012-12-06T21:39:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful little girl, just four years old and waiting so long for a family of her own.

Click my pretty picture for more information!

Isn't she just a doll??? Clearly, she has been cared for, and that is one small consolation as we consider her urgent situation.

Anne suffers from a generalize form of epilepsy, seizures, and mild mental delays. I suspect that her condition is treatable and that she can overcome those delays when she is out of institutional living and in an American home where she can get proper love and care!

She has been listed for as long as I've been following Reece's Rainbow, and yet she has very little money in her adoption grant -- only $15. That's just sad, isn't it? She should be someone's precious princess, not an orphan unknown.

Anne can be adopted by older parents and large families, so there is great hope for her in the pool of potential families that are out there! Please, spread her pretty face around, and let's increase her chances. She is young and clearly has the spark of life! It would be a tragedy to see her transferred to an adult institution (which is usually done around this age… I'm still praying she is in the baby house).

In my mind's eye, I can see someone out there receiving her photo in an email or on facebook, gasping, and realizing that Anne is her own daughter.

For the sake of this little girl, let's work to make that happen!

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The boy no one knows

2012-12-02T22:23:00.002-08:00

Brett is just a little boy with Down Syndrome, but he seems like a ghost in some ways -- no one has seen him, and no one seems to know anything about him. The following information, and a grainy photo, is all we have:

Boy, Born August 23, 2001

Diagnosis: Down Syndrome, Severe lagging behind in his development, Alopetio areata. The photo was taken on May 2009. This child had a rough start in his life. Immediately after giving birth to him in the open country she abandoned him on the field. He was found and taken to the hospital. His condition was poor but the doctors saved his life.

SINGLE MOMS, OLDER PARENTS, & LARGE FAMILIES WELCOME, EASY TRAVEL
MULTIPLE CHILDREN CAN BE ADOPTED AT THE SAME TIME WITH LOW COST

Click photo for more info on Brett.

Brett has a wonderful "spiritual mother" who loves him very much from across an ocean, and who brought him to my attention. Here is what Laura Welchert has to say about "her" boy:

It's so hard to write anything about Brett b/c so little is known about him. I don't have any other pictures, or first hand accounts. Each time a new horrendous picture of some abused and neglected child comes up, I was always wonder is this also happening to Brett? I think he is so overlooked because of the lack of info and I think that fact puts him at greater risk.

I was assigned to be Brett's Prayer Warrior 10 months ago, the same length of time it would take to see a full term pregnancy through. I have prayed daily for this child, the same way I did with all of my children while I was in waiting to meet them. Chances are, I will never meet this little guy. I have hung his picture on my living room wall, the same way I hung each of my ultrasounds on the door of the refrigerator. My hope is Brett's sweet face will grace the walls of his family's home one day.

My worries of "will my kids get everything they want for Christmas this year" are silenced by my dread of "will Brett get enough to eat tonight". Brett is not my child, but he has shaped this mother's heart. At this time very little is known about Brett. He is in a remote orphanage and is the only child listed with RR from his area, so even his living conditions are an unknown. What we do know is that he is he fought for life only to have it hidden away and he now needs someone to step up and fight for him. I urge anyone to spend some time in prayer over him and allow God to guide you in the ways He sees fit for you to help this sweet child.

Katie Beth also has a great post about him as well. We just love this boy to pieces! Our auction for him ends tomorrow, but of course we will continue to fundraise for him until Angel Tree is over and will do anything to get this boy to his forever family!!

Along with Laura and Katie Beth, I beg you to pray for and about Brett. Share his face, tell his story, so that he is no longer a ghost to people, but a real boy. Laura is happy to talk to anyone who might want to help Brett find his way into a loving home.

Just say the word and I will put you in touch.

May the Lord bless and comfort Brett until his day of deliverance comes.

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Mourning

2012-11-28T21:56:00.003-08:00

For a tribute to the most wonderful little boy, and his loving mother:

Rest in peace, sweet Henry

This line jumped out at me...

2012-11-26T08:00:00.003-08:00

"Kolya is 12 years old, and has been waiting for such a long time!"

And then I read further:

"[V]ery delicate and sensitive child who catches every touch, every word or a smile. He may long to sit next to a nice man and just hold hands, enjoying the warmth."

And then to realize that he was born in the exact month and year as one of my own sons…. well, it's hard to take. He is a loving boy with Down syndrome. Down syndrome is not a crime, and in fact, these children seem to have more love to give than "typical" children. He needs a home. He needs a mommy and a daddy to come and rescue him and give him a shot at real love and a good life.

Look at Kolya. He is irresistible!

Click my photo for more info!

Please, let's spread the word about this precious boy. He is ready to jump into a life of love and warmth. Could he be your son?

If not, could you spread the word?

And special note for those in Alberta, Canada! Check out this special cake fundraiser for Kolya!

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Is Lilly your daughter?

2012-11-21T21:58:00.004-08:00

Sweet, beautiful Lilly!

She has been waiting for so long, and yet she doesn't have time to wait. This precious five-year-old has a heart defect that needs surgical correction. The sooner Mama is found, the sooner she will get the medical attention she so desperately needs.

Click my photo for more info! Single moms and Canadian families welcome!

The good news is, Lilly has over $10,000 in her adoption grant just waiting to be used to bring her home. More good news? She is sweet and calm, and full of affection.

Is she your daughter? And if she is not your daughter, will you share her face and name with your family and friends? You may very well be the instrument that connects her to her family!

So many have loved this girl from afar, and there is a facebook page that is selling crafts to help grow her adoption fund (and Owen's). Just look at the beautiful pieces:

Handiwork for Orphans

Also, there is a moving tribute to Lilly from one whose heart aches for her, here:

Freeing God's Beautiful Butterflies

We can't let down this helpless, innocent girl, and together we will make sure she is rescued. May the Lord keep Lilly safe and peaceful until her family finds her at last.

Potpourri of orphan info!! So much going on!

2012-11-14T21:49:00.002-08:00

New this morning: Brett and Masha have families!! Whoooooot! God is good!
_________________

Okay, I'm just gonna start listing stuff!!

Here's Malcolm, my soon-to-be godson, with the parents he has always longed for!

(Pictures removed for privacy.)

Malcolm, precious Malcolm, is finally in the first of the legal steps to coming home! His mama and daddy are pulling out all the stops to get the last $8,000 of the $45,000 they needed. Yep, that is all they have left, and it's very doable!

One way to help is to go to their blog and enter their most excellent giveaway! Here ya go:

Black Friday Bonanza for Malcolm!

If you don't care about giveaways and just want to donate directly, you can go here.

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Sylvia's journey to reunite her two angels (and give them a big sister as well!) is finally coming to fruition! She leaves in less than two weeks to get Yulia and Elaine, who will finally be orphans no more!

To help her in her quest, a group called "Anonymous Angels" has offered her a matching grant of $550, that needs to be met by Friday, November 15. So far, she has raised about $100 of the amount needed, so let's push her over the line! Every dollar you donate is doubled, and your blessing will come back to you a hundredfold!

Please go here to help Sylvia meet this crucial matching grant:

BIG UPDATE: Traveling Soon and Matching Grant!

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You remember that Andrew and Oliver are going to be brothers now, and Lynn is so close, also to being fully funded. Brenda Lamey has put together a very wonderful and very QUICK auction to get them rolling again:

Auction: Bringing Andrew and Oliver Home!

One of the offerings is this lace Madonna and Child bookmark from the Abbey Lace collection. Designed by hand and made from the finest cotton on Jacquard looms, using technology first invented by the Victorians. Brand new in package, starting bid only $4! The perfect stocking stuffer!

Also, back by popular demand! A hand-knotted custom blanket that will cover a queen-sized bed or wrap up a few of your favorite people this winter! We were lucky to have two of these in the last auction, and the artist has graciously agreed to make another! Winner may chose boy/girl/neutral theme and have input on colors but will need to consult on final fabrics with the artist. Blanket retails for over $60, and starting bid is just $10! Shipping (approx. $15) will be added to the final winning bid.

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There is also an amazing auction going on for Kara's Nico, with saints dolls that are going like hotcakes:

Blessed Mother Teresa!

And, how's this for a diaper bag??

For more great items in Nico's auction, go here:

Anything and Everything Auction for Nico!

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Now, this auction is very special to me:

Auction for Three Angels: Gabby, Marsha, and Giselle

It's special because I have donated three of my late grandmother's vintage aprons, in pristine condition, all 1950s era. Check them out:

I know that my loving Grandma would be very happy to know that her aprons were being sold to help children in dire need.

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This last announcement might be the most exciting! A wonderful friend, Sheila Riely, who runs the Life Choice's Women's Clinics here in Phoenix, has graciously offered an entire weekend of thrift shop sales, with every penny raised going to benefit RR orphans and families! The most amazing part is that there is a CAR for sale! It is offered for $3600!

Year: 2003. 134,883 miles. Brake pads, rotors, fuel pump, serpentine belt & tires in 2011. Battery this year.

See more photos of the car, here!

Arizona friends, feel free to share this information on your blogs or facebook:

St. Gerard’s Treasures is located at 9120 N. 7th Street in North Central Phoenix, just across the Street from Life Choices Women’s Clinics (North Clinic office). Open 9:00am to 4:00pm.

I hope you all are as excited as I am!

Please spread the word about all these great opportunities, and together we can save children's lives!

Janelle: Overlooked, but not forgotten

2012-11-12T21:21:00.002-08:00

Janelle is five years old. According to her profile, "She was born with CP and struggles some with 'episyndrome'. She is not able to walk on her own, but would such a blessing to any family. She will remain bed/chair-ridden for life if she is not adopted."

Look at this face! She is a beauty!

Click my image for more info!

Janelle is at high risk of being transferred, and we simply cannot let that happen to her. She is in a region that typically waives the 10-day waiting period (that is a blessing!), and large families are eligible to adopt. What a precious addition this sweet girl would be to any family.

I want to reach in the screen and kiss her plump cheeks! How I would love to get a smile out of this girl. Can you just imagine her giggle?

Please, consider Janelle. She has been waiting far too long, and she is oh so ready for a mommy and daddy of her own, and the kind of medical care that she is unable to receive in her own country.

If you are not in a position to adopt, please share her face and story with others. It only takes one person to see her and her life will be saved.

Hang on, Janelle! You have not been forgotten!

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AHHHHH!!!! GOOD NEWS!!!!

2012-11-08T21:50:00.002-08:00

My two favorite boys, Andrew and Oliver, are going to be brothers for life!!!!

YES, it's true! The Spiveys are bringing home both boys!!!

Andrew Oliver

I fell in love and began advocating for Oliver back in February, when he had only $13 in his account, and to think that he is now, finally, going to a mommy and a daddy who love him, with sisters and a brother -- well, I can hardly contain my joy!

And Andrew! Oh, I have been so in love with Andrew since I first saw him in that horrible video, walking around in his crib, bored out of his mind -- just as he has done day after day for years.

The Spiveys are compiling their dossier and trying furiously to meet the winter shut-down deadline, so time is of the essence to get them fully funded.

NOW is the fun part: There are two brand new videos of the boys, and you will soon see them!! One video is the first ever of Oliver, and he is with Andrew, his soon-to-be brother. The other is of Andrew alone, and well, you simply have to see it to believe it! It will fill you with joy!

So, the plan is that as soon as Lynn's chip-in reaches $4,000 (watch the stalk, as she is close to it), we will release the videos for all to see! And if you simply cannot wait to see what I have viewed dozens of times already, then please donate at least $25 to her chip-in, and we will let you jump the line and see the videos privately! Such a deal!

Thank you so much and please leave a comment here or on the Spiveys' blog if you donated at least $25 and want to get the video links immediately! Otherwise, thank you for any donation amount, which will all add up to getting those videos released to public for all to enjoy!

Click here to donate (it's on the top right):

Bringing Andrew and Oliver Home!

God bless the Spiveys for taking these precious boys into their hearts and home, and thanks for spreading the word on your own blogs, facebook, and twitter!