Both Hands--One for the Widow, One for the Orphan

We are embarking on a great journey of adoption.  and along the way, we are planning to help a dear family in our hometown!  Check out our latest adventure!

The Layne’s

Doug and Cara Layne have had a passion for children with special needs since Doug met Cara’s youngest sister; Amy, who has Downs Syndrome.  Cara’s love for children with special needs is not only her passion, but also her job as an elementary special education teacher.  In 2005, we hosted a Ukrainian orphan for the summer and our love for him grew.  We started our first adoption with the intent to adopt the Max, but his mother came to the orphanage to take him home.  We traveled to Ukraine and brought home a beautiful daughter; Hannah, who has Cerebral Palsy.  After seeing the plight of orphans with special needs, God lead us to our second daughter; Mila, in Serbia.  Mila also has Cerebral Palsy.  We are following God’s calling to bring two additional children home to be a part of our family.  Since we will essentially be doing two separate adoptions while in Ukraine, we still have $19,000 to raise to ransom our children and bring them to their forever home.

Our Little Ones

Max with the girls at Christmas

After three years of wondering where that young man we had hosted was, we were able to reconnect with him when we found out Max was back in an orphanage.  He was in Ohio at Christmas for a visit.  He loved having the chance to meet our girls, and the three fit together so well.  Doug and Cara’s hope is to make him part of their family.  In addition, they have requested a toddler with Downs Syndrome.   We will not know who the toddler is until we reach our appointment in Ukraine, but have all confidence that God has chosen the perfect child!  Our hope to travel yet this summer to bring our children home.

Meet Andrea (Shelby-17, Marshall-14, & Cambell-8)

Andrea is a member of the same church as the Layne’s attend.  She is a vibrant lady with a heart for God.  Andrea’s husband; John passed away in January 2010 after a long battle with cancer.  While he was sick, the family’s number one priority was their husband and father.  We feel blessed to be able to give back to a wonderful family in our community.

Our Both Hands Fundraiser Project

These three stories are all coming together on June 4th, 2011.  The Both Hands organization makes it possible for us to assist both Andrea AND the Layne’s! We’ll join a team doing repairs and landscaping at Andrea’s home. We are asking you to consider sponsoring us while we repair and improve Andrea’s home. In turn, your sponsorship will all go to Lifesong and be given as a grant for our adoption. Think of it like a walkathon; but instead of asking you to sponsor us walking, we are asking you to sponsor us working. All to bring our little ones home this summer!

How can YOU help?

We are not all called to adopt, but we can all play a part in this adoption process. We would like you to consider joining us in raising support for the adoption and helping Andrea at the same time. We hope you find this opportunity as compelling as we do!

We are inviting you to help in two ways.

 You can…

Pray – Please pray for blessings over this adoption: for Mila and Hannah who will be staying home while Cara and Doug are in Ukraine.  Pray to prepare the hearts of Max and the toddler the Layne’s hope to adopt and for wisdom, patience, and understanding for Doug and Cara as they navigate the two trip, six week, in country adoption process. Please also pray for continued blessings for Andrea, Shelby, Marshall, and Campbell and for the ministries of the Both Hands Foundation and Lifesong for Orphans.

Give – Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to reduce the remaining adoption expenses as we work with our team to bless Andrea and her children.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and considering our invitation!

For more information on Both Hands and Lifesong for Orphans please visit www.lifesongfororphans.org.

Every Dollar Helps!

There are two easy ways to donate:

 

Online: Go to www.lifesongfororphans.org/bhProj.html and click the “Donate” button next to the Layne’s photo. Follow online instructions to pay safely with your credit card or PayPal account.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Send a Check: Please make your tax-deductible checks to Lifesong for Orphans. Please write

“Layne/#1979 adoption” in the memo line.

Please complete this form before June 4, 2011 and return it to:

Lifesong for Orphans

PO Box 40 / 202 N Ford St

Gridley, IL 61744

( ) $1,000            ( ) $500             ( ) $250            ( ) $100             ( ) $50          Other $______

 *Note: In following IRS guidelines, your donation is to the named non-profit organization. This organization retains full discretion over its use, but intends to honor the donor’s suggested use.