Reece's Rainbow is an incredible organization started by Andrea Roberts. Her son, Reece was born with Down Syndrome and it rocked her world! And rocked it hard! He brought so many blessings into their family that they never knew they were missing. She heard about other children in Eastern Europe, also born with Down Syndrome who were abandoned at birth simply because of their extra chromosome. She couldn't believe it! So, she did something about it. She started Reece's Rainbow in 2006 and advocated, worked and prayed 2 sweet children home to their forever families. That was only 6 years ago. What started as 2 children six years ago has added up to close to 500 special needs adoptions!! Wow!!
Reece's Rainbow website led us to Dmitri and so many other children in need. This Christmas I am advocating, praying and working to increase awareness for all of the children listed on Reece's Rainbow but especially for a little boy, Elias.
Elias is 5 years old. In the United States, a typical 5 year old is full of life, learning everyday and loving life to the fullest. Even children with special needs are given countless opportunities to learn and grow. In Eastern Europe, a 5 year old with Down Syndrome is on the verge of being sent from their orphanage or baby house to the despair of a mental institution! What!?!? An ADULT institution! 90% of these sweet children die within a year of being transferred. They are abused by the older children and adults who are also prisoners there. They lose all stimulation and sit in a room or shed all day long. Their heads are shaved. They usually begin to pick at their faces, bite their hands, bang their heads, anything for some type of stimulation.
Elias is heading to an adult institution.
An Update on Elias from Summer 2012 –
"He is social and interacts with adults and children. He shows a strong interest in re-pronouncing syllables. He knows his name. He knows how to do children’s songs with actions. He understands when you tell him its time to eat, or he needs to get dressed, and every other day activities. He has developing fine motor skills, and a short attention span. He is calm and affectionate, and his memory and thinking are poorly developed."
He needs a family and he needs one SOON!! I don't know what our future holds. I don't know if the door will open soon enough for us to even consider adopting sweet Elias. But I do know that he needs a family NOW!! Are you his family? Will you step out in faith and say "Lord, here am I. Send me"?
Will you share Elias' picture with your family and friends? Will you pray for him?
I will! I will share, advocate, pray and share some more. My goal is to add $1,000 to his grant account!
Matthew 25:37-40
"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
You can donate any amount to any of the children selected for the Angel Tree this Christmas. Under each picture is a link to donate. Every donation of $35.00 will give you a special tree ornament with that specific child's picture. You can add it to your tree, donate in honor or memory of someone or give the ornament as a gift. Elias is currently listed under the $0-$99 raised category with $29 raised so far. What a beautiful little face he has! I am praying his picture up the tree to the $1,000 raised category. Will you help us help Elias?
~One Less Orphan!~
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