A Child Died Yesterday

As you all know, I follow and support Reece's Rainbow (an agency that facilitates the adoption of children from Easter Europe and other countries with Down Syndrome). I daily look at their "Waiting Children" page to see who is new, who found a family, who has a new picture, who was transferred to a mental institution and sadly, who has died. There was a little girl on RR named AnneMarie (though her real name was recently published as Anya). I've seen pictures of this little girl with beautiful eyes since she was a baby and have longed to go save her, but knowing Chad and I cannot. Well, she died yesterday. Not sure from what. Adoptive parents were there a few months ago to get their own new babies and met her and she seemed 'healthy' despite a heart condition, dehydration, malnourishment and neglect. I don't often cry, but I sobbed about AnneMarie's death. She was 5 days younger than Kai. She had an extra chromosome like Noah. That was her 'crime' and why she was abandoned to the orphanage and not given heart surgery and basic nutrition.

I'm sorry to be a downer, but these kids weigh on my heart so heavily and I can't shake the fact that this will happen again and again to little kids I 'know' and pray for. PLEASE consider donating money to some of these kids' adoption funds so that a family can come forward to adopt without the burden of raising the full $25,000 or even better, commit to one of these angels today so they can know the love of a family. Thanks for reading and listening to my heart.

Here is the info Reece's Rainbow had on her and you can go to this link: http://www.reecesrainbow.com/inmemoriam.html


(they shave their heads to avoid lice and because it's easier than lovingly brushing it out.)

Anne Marie
Girl,
Born November 25, 2005
Died October 13, 2010

Look at this beautiful princess!! She is blowing you KISSES! Anne Marie has been waiting far too long for a loving family of her own. So many of her friends from this orphanage have already been adopted, and she continues to watch each of them leave with their new "forever family". Hope someone will consider Anne Marie!

Miss Anne Marie does have a heart murmur that should be checked once home.

From an adoptive family who visited with her in June 2010: "Anne Marie is a happy child, she is aware, interactive, and very sweet! She will do so well in a family. She has the most striking blue eyes!"

All, it is with great sadness that I share with you the passing of our sweetest little Anne Marie :(( Jesus will be her Christmas Warrior this year.

Her grant of $1105 of has been shared now with ALEXANDER in the same orphanage. 4 of the older children with DS have already been transferred to the institution now. I know we can't save them all, but this loss really comes as a blow for me. We have been advocating for Anne Marie for SO long.... ;((((((( Your prayers for ALL of the children as they wait and wait and wait.....

For those of you who have signed up to be Christmas Warriors for these kids....the fundraising goal is only $1000, but we all know it costs a LOT more than that to adopt, and that the more grant money a child has, the greater their chances of being chosen. So although your set goal is only $1000, shoot for the moon. Each child deserves nothing less than your absolute best. We have seen MIRACLES in fundraising these last many months, and this year's Angel Tree will be our biggest and most successful EVER with your help.

God bless each of you, and God bless and hold our baby Anne Marie.
Andrea