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"Letters of Recommendation"

"Madhura," our "Carlee," in India

Dear Friends,
A special thanks to each and every one of you who wrote letters for us (on behalf of the McCauley Family.)
You have all been a constant source of encouragement and we get teary-eyed just thinking of how blessed we are to have friends like you! We are including a sampling of the letters in this newsletter for those of you who are new to our mailing list -- Just so you will know us better and by third party:

Paul and Leesa Wallace
170 Adger St
Shreveport, LA 71105
(318) 219-3830
racerunner@Hisfeet.com

November 7, 2000

Dear Ms. (social worker's name withheld,)

We've not had the opportunity to correspond before, so let me begin by introducing myself. My name, as you may have gathered from above, is Paul Wallace and I have been a minister for the last twelve years in addition to being currently employed in the Revenue Protection field for a large utility. My wife Leesa has been involved with me in ministry during that time while also serving in some capacity as educator since her graduation from The University of Texas with her degree in Special Education. For the last six years, we have been the Senior Pastors of Revival Tabernacle, a Foursquare Church in Bossier City, Louisiana. Among our congregants who have been there
those years is the McCauley family, which brings me to the aim of this correspondence.

As you know, the McCauley family of Belcher, LA is currently involved in the process of adopting a precious child from India named Madhura. Accordingly, my purpose in writing you is to express my unwavering support for the McCauley family and this upcoming adoption. We have known Randy, Ann, and their children for six years now and we can certainly testify on behalf of the consistent high level of their moral character as well as the depth and genuineness of their love for all of their children.

As the father of a family of seven, I am often asked; "How do you make it having so many children with the cost of living today?" In reality, the answer today is the same as it was a few generations ago when similarly sized families were considered average or even small. It used to be said that, two can live as cheaply as one; and while adding five or six to the equation may diminish the sayings' validity, it is unquestionably true that wise stewardship can make a world of difference within a family's economy.

Bringing a great deal of experience in dealing with finances as I do (seven plus years in banking and lending as well as eight plus years in
organizational budgeting and personal financial counseling) I believe that I am qualified to speak regarding the relative importance of various factors in determining fiscal health. Without hesitancy, I can declare to you that in all applications, whether ministerial, secular, personal, or organizational, the prudent administration of existing funds (regardless of amount) is a far better indicator than looking at the quantity of funds alone. The reason is simple. An imprudent person can outspend any amount of amassed money, while a prudent person can adjust spending according to the amount of intake.

In a nutshell, one must not look at the quantity of the incoming resources, but rather the quality of the outgoing product in order to determine the relative value of a mechanism or entity. In the case of the McCauley family, that is an easy call. Having just graduated a son into the Air Force who has a maturity and competence beyond his years, and having five other children who are excelling in various endeavors, one can readily see that the mechanism (a loving family in this case) is functioning at a high level of efficiency success.

Having seen them multiple times a week for these six years, I can also speak to the fact that they have always been more than adequately attired, and having eaten with them on a number of occasions, I can definitely be assured as to the quantity and quality of the food they consume. Their vehicle and home are both on the large side as one could imagine, and certainly sufficient to hold one more blessing.

Many families would shy away from a child with a perceived handicap (a fact that I can vouch for, as the adoptive father of a child with spinabifida,) particularly one with a condition most would view as serious. However, as you well know, in the McCauley family you not only have the abundant love, professionalism, and expertise needed in dealing with special needs, you have the specific experience of caring for an adopted Asian blind girl. Kind of sounds familiar.

I am guessing that there are not many families in this world who already have the apparatus, Braille books, and so forth as well as the experience in teaching mobility and Braille to a blind girl involved in a foreign adoption. In summation, I am suggesting to you that based on the quality, character, and experience of the parenting, as well as the quality of the children produced, and the very specific expertise and resources germane to this particular child's needs, it would be very difficult for me to imagine there being a more suitable adoptive family for Madhura anywhere.

If you have any further questions on this matter, please feel free to call us at the number above when it is convenient for you.

In His Love,
Paul R. Wallace, Pastor
Leesa M. Wallace, Special Needs Educator

Caddo Parish
Deputy Sheriff
Belcher, Louisiana

November 5, 2000

Dear Ms. (social worker's name withheld,)

By way of introduction, I am Major Fant, a long-time resident of Belcher, Louisiana and by profession, patrol commander of the local Sheriff's Office for the northern sector of Caddo Parish.

Randy and Ann McCauley moved into our village several years ago and have been model residents. They have cared for their family well, raising children who have a sense of community spirit and pride. The family is very active in their church and I have personally witnessed the support their church gave them with the adoption of their last child.

My wife, Jennifer Fant, the mayor for the Village of Belcher and I have observed the McCauley children on numerous occasions have remarked to ourselves about how well behaved and well-mannered they are. I have been in their home and observed nothing but excellent behavior from all the children.

I have had the occasion to see Randy working in his business and he has a very good working relationship with his clients. I believe Randy and Ann both to be excellent parents and role models to all their children.

Any consideration that you may give to the McCauleys in the matter of
their adoption of Madhura would be greatly appreciated. My wife and I are
looking forward to welcoming her to Belcher and personally believe that she
will enjoy the best of care and support from Randy and Ann.

Sincerely,
R. Major Fant

Dear Ms. (name withheld,)

I'm a practicing Pediatrician of 17 years who, during the first six and half years of my career, cared for all the McCauley's children while
living in El Dorado, Arkansas. My knowledge of them goes much further though as they were one year ahead of me in school where we all grew up in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. As I said, I cared for their two natural and two adopted children while in El Dorado.

I am a board certified Pediatrician which qualifies me as an expert in my field, and my opinions have been accepted as such in prior
court proceedings. As a result, I believe my assessment of them both as people, and as parents, is authoritative.

Randy and Ann McCauley have demonstrated exceptional love and compassion for both their natural and adoptive children. They always
showed appropriate medical judgment as parents and it was a pleasure taking care of their children. When the kids were sick or needed well
care, they were in my office. They were always well fed and clothed, and grew and thrived as result of Randy and Ann's deep love for them.
The McCauley's were also of great personal support as well, because my wife and I had a profoundly handicapped child during this time in
El Dorado. We understood each other's struggles and challenges in a unique way.

When I heard that they were again trying to adopt, and they told me about Madhura's circumstances, I felt compelled to do something I've
never done in their previous adoptions. I gave a substantial donation. Randy and Ann have always been an amazement to me. If I had had any reservations about them, I would never have given funds to see the adoption happen. Having been several times to India myself to do medical clinic work in the Bangalore slums, I know first hand what Madhura stands to gain, especially with Randy and Ann's experience
with handicapped children.

I implore to go forward with Madhura's adoption. Randy and Ann are seasoned parents and Madhura could not be in better hands, of that
I'm sure.

Kindest regards,
Ron Smith, MD

November 7, 2000

Dear (name withheld,)

I am writing to you on behalf of a family whose friendship has blessed my family for the past four years. This letter is both from me and my husband, Gary, who is in agreement. He is away on business and so this letter will be written as from my heart. I understand that you have some concerns about the addition of a little girl with very special needs into the McCauley household. I want to share my knowledge of and experiences with this family and hopefully put your mind at ease.

We moved to Shreveport in 1996 because of my husband's career. Because of various opportunities within the printing industry, we have moved often in the last ten years. It is difficult to make lasting friendships in the span of a couple of years. That is why the McCauleys are dear to us. The first time we met them, it was obvious they were a special family It was not difficult to notice that some of their children were adopted and that some had special needs. My children have formed strong friendships with them and I am glad for this. I am careful about the friends my children spend time with. There are many these days who are not good influences. The McCauley children are mature, well-mannered, friendly, and kind. They are most certainly a reflection of their parents.

I have listened with awe as both Randy and Ann have recounted their adoption stories. I was encouraged and amazed when I saw how "normal" and adjusted the children are. As you are aware, two of the children in particular have had agonizing beginnings in this world. If you could meet them, you would be aware of how the love from their parents has more than made up for the losses of early childhood.

I have heard about the years of therapy and teaching of sign language to Joshua. I have heard how Ann taught Braille to Joanna who was able to learn although it is a skill that is extremely difficult. Let me speak about Joanna for a moment since she is also blind. When I first saw Joanna, she was roller skating hand-in-hand with my daughter. When I found out that she was blind, I could hardly believe it. Joanna has the confidence and abilities that surpass many children who are sighted and the same age. There is no need to worry that the child, Madhura, would be deprived of any opportunity. Ann McCauley is the very best person to understand a special child such as Madhura. She is equipped physically and emotionally to see that she gets proper help and resources. She has dealt with professionals in many areas because of the needs of her other children.

I was able to see first hand how this family deals with adversity when I heard they were going to adopt their son, Caleb, from Siberia. The fact that they needed thousands of dollars would have stopped most families from starting the process. But the McCauley's trusted that God would provide as He had before -- and He did. We were honored to be able to help financially with Caleb's adoption. We understood that most people don't have several thousand dollars lying around. But there was never any question as to whether they would be able to care for his daily needs or even the medical expenses that would incur. Again, you are probably aware that Caleb was born with only one eye. He has been fitted with a small prosthesis that will one day enable him to have a real prosthesis that will give him two normal eyes. All of this has been graciously covered by the Lion's Club, who heard of Caleb and wanted to help him.

The process of Caleb's adoption and the ways the McCauleys dealt with each question as it came up gave us the confidence to pursue our own international adoption. The matter of money was a major concern of my husband. Three years ago, he began his own consulting business. God has prospered it and we are grateful. He holds retainers with various companies and although he earns an excellent wage, the idea of the expenses of adoption worried him. In the end, we had to empty a retirement account and take out a second mortgage. The McCauley's, by contrast, have incurred no debt for their adoptions.

In today's marketplace, financial security is not something that can be taken for granted. We have lived through corporate buy-outs, takeovers and downsizings. We have seen my husband's colleagues be turned out of high-paying jobs. The amount of a person's salary today may be moot in six months to a year. A corporate executive earning $100,000 today may find that the new headquarters "has no place for him" tomorrow. On the other hand, a new job or raise can give a wage increase and expanded benefits.

The question should not be "Can this family provide for one more child?" but, "Has this family provided in the past and are they providing well today?" In the case of the McCauleys, the answer is yes. Finances are an intensely personal issue. In the adoption of a child, the parents endure such intense scrutiny that it is a wonder people go through with it. But of course the reason we do it is for the child.

I have never known the McCauley children to go without anything they need. They are well-clothed and well-fed. Caleb, as the youngest, has many toys to play with. There is no difference among them in that regard. Frugality and creativity are good traits to have and to teach one's children. Madhura would not be wanting for any material possession. In a large family, there are many benefits in this way. As a mother of seven, I know that we need very little in the way of new toys and clothes because well-chosen and quality items will last from child to child. This allows for money to be spent on some special things for the new child. With a large family of any income it is just not feasible nor desirable to live on fast food or prepackaged foods. The most cost effective and nutritious meals are made from fresh ingredients and home made. There need be no fear that Madhura's needs would not be met. Ann was very careful and concerned for Caleb to receive a balanced diet.

What more can I say? The financial part of raising a child is the least important. Somehow, bills are paid and children are fed. Finances can be fickle for anyone on either end of the pay scale. The most important thing is whether the McCauleys can improve Madhura's life. Can they love her and help her overcome the losses of her first years? Will she belong-- truly--and be one of them without question or doubts that they wanted her? Absolutely. Already, she is one of them in their hearts. For months now a baby bed has been waiting in Caleb's room with matching comforters. Toys have been purchased and clothing made and located. Aware of the effects of orphanage life on a child, Ann and Randy have been quite concerned for the welfare of Madhura. She is locked in her world of darkness and needs intervention. The first years of a child's life are so very critical that healthy children can have long-term problems if they do not get the attention they need.

I know that you are a professional and I do not need to tell you the problems of institutionalized children, nor do I think you take this
responsibility lightly. I trust that you will keep Madhura's well-being at the forefront and that you will be assured of the quality of care she will receive. You can be confident in approving the placement of Madhura with the McCauleys. You have the power to place this child with a loving family and give her the chance in life she deserves or you can withhold it from her. I beseech you not to delay any longer, but do everything in your power to bring this child home quickly to parents who have proven themselves time and again for the past twenty years.

Thank you for taking time to read this letter and letting me share from my heart. If you would like to contact me personally, you may call me at any time.

Sincerely,
Debbie Richardson

Frederick J. and Carol E. Kuntz
Tucker, GA

Dear Ms. (name withheld:)

We have known the McCauley family since 1987. We have four children ourselves and were very graciously befriended by the McCauleys when a change of employment brought us to Eldorado, Arkansas. Since that time, Ann and Randy have added to their natural family by opening their home to those which God has led them to adopt. We have been privileged to support them in each of these efforts. Seeing the joy each child has brought to them, and the joy they've brought to each child, is truly inspiring. Their children, both natural and adopted, are fine examples of those whom it is obvious God has blessed. Their children are instilled with integrity, love, kindness, and every other virtue which a fine upbringing exhibits in a person.

On behalf of our friends, and their family, we encourage you to assist them as much as possible to fulfill their desire for the adoption of Madhura from India. From our perspective, there can be no other better parents, or finer family, in which this dear child can be entrusted. We are confident that she will be greatly blessed and grow in knowledge, and every other virtue as their own child.

Thank you for all you have done in this regard. We count it as a great joy for us to support Ann and Randy in this endeavor. They are as much family to us as our very own children. If you desire to, we would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our friends or anything we've written herein.

Thank you so much again.

Sincerely,
Frederick J. and Carol E. Kuntz

The Carlee Fund
C/O Rev. and Mrs. Paul Wallace
170 Adger Street
Shreveport, LA 71105

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