It all started in 1987….

Western American boy meets Northeastern American girl, boy happily marries girl, boy and girl have a beautiful life and family….

Scott was born in Sycamore, Illinois, USA on April 12 and Carol was born in Kearney, New Jersey, USA on October 3. They met at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma and married in 1988.

Three years later, Ryan Austin Rains was born in Tulsa, on May 29, 1991. (Before this happened, Carol graduated from ORU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications-Television Production and Scott graduated from ORU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Church Ministries-Evangelism…just in time for Ryan to be born a few weeks later- whew!)

Three years after that, Stephanie Lauren Rains was born in Glendale, Arizona, on May 19, 1994. (yes, one would have figured I could have picked from 11 other months to choose from, but nope, all my children in the same month. Actually, Stephanie was 3 weeks early. She couldn't wait, but wanted a sneak peek, thus being born in the same month as her brother!)

Three years later, after Scott graduated from the Church of God Theological Seminary, the Rains family was appointed as career missionaries in 1997.
(It would seem we do things in groups of three for some strange reason…)

Country #1
On our first assignment, the Rains' lived in Lisbon, Portugal. (Sunny, warm, sandy beaches…mmmm!) They worked alongside the national overseer with a social outreach center for children called Casa da Boa Vontade. (We miss the children and their mischievous smiles!)

Country #2
Then in 2003, the Rains family moved to the Black Forest in Germany (beautiful, cold, snowy…brrrr!) to be the first Director of Youth and Christian Education for Western Europe. A new department was established, providing YCE training, resources and unity among 10 countries in Europe. We were blessed to be a part of the first European COG youth gathering called Eurofest. (see www.myeurofest.com) We loved our job and everyone we worked with…but, God had other things in mind for our future…

Country #3
In August 2006, the Rains nomads came to beautiful, tropical, sunny Philippines! We love the Filipinos and everyone has made us feel so welcome! Thank you ASCM for everything! We are proud to be part of the family!