16 and life

I was at work the other day singing lyrics to myself and my mental radio started playing 18 and life by skid row. It reminded me that kids who are institutions are not sentenced to 18 and life, they are sentenced to 16 and life. SIXTEEN years old and your entire future is decided for you. SIXTEEN years old. What were you doing at 16? Sneaking out, trying to find a date on a Saturday night, bowling with friends, enjoying the fact that it is SUMMER. Do you know what these kids are doing? NOTHING...and I mean NOTHING. They are not talking, or walking, or playing outside. They are sitting in a disgusting and boring room full of other people.. adults even who are rocking back and forth because of the lack of stimulation and LOVE. These are adults who so many years ago were beautiful babes born just a little different. Babies that their society said was unacceptable.

There are a total of 64 waiting on www.reecesrainbow.org that have been listed for years. Just waiting and hoping that their families would find them only to be disappointed day after day.

Children like Jason:

who is in a remote institution. Who is 9 years old. Who has not had an updated photo in almost three years.


Children like Adam:

Who has waited 11 long years for a mama of his own.

Children like Samantha and Kristina who are sisters and more then anything need to be in a loving family TOGETHER:

Children like Bobby:

Who are so gentlemanly and old worldly and kind.

Children like Heath:

Who have been rallied for time and again and who wait and wonder all because people or scared. Scared of the funds. Scared of jumping without a parachute. Scared of the unknowns and what they cant see. Scared to solely rely on God and his grace.

As you look into the eyes of each of these children please do not let fear dictate your life and for that matter do not let your fear dictate their lives. Stare into all of these faces as if you were staring into the face of God. Think not with your head but FEEL your heart.

Daniel 1999

Amelia 2001

Brett 2001

Trina 1996

( 3 months to find a family or she will spend her ENTIRE life in an institution)

Randall 1999

Gabrielle 1998

Stefan 1996
(3 years younger then me with only 2 months to find a family)

Angelia 2001

She has spent the last 5 years in an institution and is describe as healthy, active and HAPPY.

The orphanage staff  says she does like to play with toys, is interactive and affectionate, and has “potential to improve”.

Jared 1996

(Has 3 months to find a family)

JOY 1997

Hope 1997

Nicholas 2002

Clarice 1999

Stephie 1999

Emmitt 1998

Dawn 2001

Joseph 1999

Kinley 2001

Alex 2001

Tyson 2000