Zoya Makes the News!....and a rebuttal

Last Sunday, the Jamestown, NY Post Journal wrote a story about Zoya and HER SOON TO BE NEW FRIEND, LYLA They were already doing a story about Lyla, and then a friend that I went to High School with (who works for the newspaper) contacted me asking if they could include Zoya's story in the article. I said of course because any opportunity to put a spotlight on Reece's Rainbow and all the waiting children is much needed and appreciated! Zoya and Lyla's stories made the front page! I scanned the article below so you could see what it looked like....very nicely designed! They are too small to read, so you can go HERE to read the entire article which was very nicely written.  I really hope that maybe one person who read this article decides to google Reece's Rainbow and maybe one child's life will be changed. We are so proud that Zoya's story can be an example to others to prove that EVERY. SINGLE. CHILD. deserves a chance at life and of course deserves a chance to be loved and a family to call their own.

Also, please click on "comments" after the article and you can see that, as always, some people just don't understand the urgency of these DYING, abused, neglected children. Some people continue to be negative toward international adoption. I could say some really nasty things back, or I can pray for those people. Obviously these people do not know OUR GOD and know that all children, regardless of where they had the fortune or misfortune of being born, are children of God and worth our time, support, love, and most certainly a chance at LIFE!

Although I will try my hardest to avoid being nasty here, I can't leave this blog post without stating my opinion on this matter. I will try to do so with tact.  So here goes....Shame on those who are so selfish that they can't see past "America." It isn't all about "us." This is why foreigners have a negative opinion of Americans...are we really so selfish that we can't look past our own backyard to help children who are literally living the most miserable life you could imagine? Wake up people...I know foster care is not perfect, I know it has a long way to go to serve the children better, but it is most certainly NOT what children in orphanages are facing!  I have to remember that these people making these comments have not had the opportunity, although sickening and heart-breaking, to see first hand what these children in orphanages face. I wish I could elaborate more on this but I simply cannot do so publicly. I'm not saying children in America are any less worthy, but the situation internationally is more urgent. It is a LIFE OR DEATH MATTER and the clock is ticking for many of these children...these children WILL DIE if people don't step up to help.

Someone commented,

"I will also say there are hundreds of thousands American children in orphanages that would love a new home too. I see people going to Europe and Africa and now Haiti to adopt children, it breaks my heart there are American Children that need homes, wake up and smell the coffee folks."

To this person, I ask, where are the orphanages in America? Yes we have group homes and such but you can hardly call them orphanages! You probably wouldn't know the difference though if you've never looked into the condition of orphanages in other countries.  I also ask of you, what are YOU doing to help these children in America? Just wondering.  Another comment reads,

"It never ceases to amaze me that there are so many children in the USA that need ministering to, whether it be adoption, foster care, mentoring...it's the adotions from Americans to a baby from Europe that gets headlines. Kudos to the local media for over sensationalizing this. It's a no wonder we can't get people to buy things locally, if they aren't able to adopt locally.

To this person I say, you must be assuming that those of us who adopt internationally think children in America are worthless and that we couldn't care less about then. You must assume that we don't do anything to help children in America. Well maybe you know what they say about assuming....anyways...I have never met one single person who has adopted internationally who is not, in some way, be it "adoption, foster care, mentoring" helped children in America as well. As far as over sensationalizing this, it makes me sick to my stomach to read these words. CHILDREN ARE DYING, I don't think that can be "oversensationalized" no matter how hard anyone tries. To those that made negative comments, I pray that some day God will give you His eyes for just a second.  I pray that you will some day realize the urgency these children face.

Secondly, the people making comments on the article must not have read the entire thing because the Spitz family HAS been very involved in domestic foster care and adoption. As for our family....how dare someone question what God has led us to do? God did not lead us to domestic adoption. He very clearly led us straight to Zoya, who JUST HAPPENED to live some place other than America.  

Third, (a statement to those with negative comments) many of these children in foreign countries have ZERO chance of being adopted by parents from their own country because their special needs are viewed as a curse or a punishment, or simply just not socially acceptable. Without people coming from other countries to adopt them, what do you suppose the better alternative would be? To just let them die? Because, that is the ONLY other alternative at this current time. So you cannot make the statements you did without also believing in your heart that these children have no value. If that is the case, then there is probably nothing I can say that will ever open your eyes.

There were also comments in support of international adoption, which were nice to read. One comment in particular also raises some valid points,

"Well first of all I want to address those of you like "recycler" who seem to find it necessary to trash those individuals who adopt internationally. SO many think that children here in the U.S. are just sitting on a street corner waiting for couples to drive by and pick them up for adoption. Quite the contrary!! As a former foster parent for several years who was willing to adopt special needs children, there never seemed to be the child the system thought suited our family. We have adopted internationally (3 special needs children) and will NEVER regret nor apologize for saving the lives of these beautiful angels who faced certain (and this is documented) death. While it is said there are so many children who are in the foster care system here, it is not SOLELY because they were not wanted, like special needs orphans are detested in Europe, but because their parents were screw ups and either hurt the children or are just complete morons."

Another comment which brought me to tears because I know other people "get it" and we are not in this fight alone:
"I speak from experience, not from stupidity like some others, that adoption of a child, whether domestic or international, is a blessing. Blessings don't come with labels stating where they happened. No, they come with love, encouragement, experiences, and life. That is what should matter and what society needs to address first, not which piece of soil it happens on. Congratulations to these two families who have acted upon their faith and hearts to give these beautiful children a forever family!"

I'm not trying to start a debate here, really, this is nothing new in the adoption discussions.  I'm pretty sure this post is being read mostly by people who feel the same exact way as I do.  I am thankful for this blog that I can sometimes just vent to an audience who has the same convictions and passions in their hearts.  I know this post won't change the negative minds.  However, I will fight tooth and nail on behalf of the voiceless children who cannot fight for themselves, who don't stand a chance. I will stand up and speak on their behalf and take the time to give a rebuttal letting these people with negative comments know that there ARE people in this world who value life-and by that I mean every life regardless of circumstances.  There is nothing anyone can say that would make me feel any differently. In the end, I work to please one audience and it is certainly not other people on this earth!