Robert and Jacqui Rayne are residents of Upstate New York. They are homesteaders, raising animals naturally for fiber arts, wholesome meat, and recreation. They have two daughters, ages 11 and 9 years old. Part of their holistic lifestyle is homeschooling these two lovely daughters. Jacqui has also been able to share her love and talent for music with her children. Jacqui is a beautiful singer/songwriter, originally from England. Robert has been able to spend an unprecedented amount of time with his children by working from home for his own database company.

Recently this very loving, compassionate family has been going through extremely tough times. In June 2009, Jacqui was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. With no health insurance, screening was put off, for fear of incurring further debts. Robert had not been able to make ends meet for quite some time now and they had been in financial trouble going into to this. After going through a local Free Clinic, Jacqui finally has begun treatments for Breast Cancer. Many families in their homeschooling and local community have come together to help bring meals every week during chemo treatments. This has allowed Robert to focus on Jacqui’s individual dietary needs. Whilst this help has been invaluable and greatly appreciated, life was continuing to become more challenging for them as a family.

Jaqcui Rayne wearing the celebratory “half-way” gear to commemorate the half-way point in her chemotherapy

Friends began to notice the hardships the family has been under. Utilities were being shut off, the farmyard upkeep was faltering, plumbing issues disrupted the household, and greatest of all, the house and farm were entering the foreclosure process. To understand why these issues were not seen by folks who saw this family every week, it must be said that this family is usually helping others, not receiving help. In the midst of these difficult times, the Raynes opened their home to another family that needed a temporary home for several months. The Rayne family also prepared several receptions for funerals after last year’s tragic Massacre of 13 innocent people in a town nearby. The Raynes are also involved in many volunteer projects for church and town events. Much of this giving was done at the expense of their family, but not once would they say so, or really mind the sacrifice. It made the Raynes feel good, and it helped others. That is what they cared about. These folks really would give the shirt off their backs to help a person in need. So, you see, the community and their friends did not see the hardships, but only saw the grace and love the Raynes poured into their community. Now, the community and their friends finally see the toll it has taken upon this family.

All this stress has been making life incredibly difficult for the Rayne family to keep their normally bright and honest smiles upon their faces. The local community has been gathering resources to help this family with an upcoming rummage sale, workdays on the property, and two upcoming local fundraisers. But as of October 23, 2009, the house may be foreclosed upon and debts will be insurmountable. This family needs financial support to cover past debts and yet-to-be-incurred debts. Their family deserves to have a fighting chance, an opportunity to get back on their feet, an opportunity to survive Breast Cancer and an opportunity to receive the love that they have so selflessly given others. It is our hope that we can stall the foreclosure to give this family time to pay off old debts, and allow Jacqui a less stressful cancer treatment and recovery.