More About Melissa

Melissa moved to West Africa with her family when she was 11 years old. They were missionaries in Ghana and Ivory Coast.
She returned to the States at age 18 to attend college in Chattanooga, TN. Five years later she married Duane Carter who lived in Memphis, TN. Upon his completion of Medical School and Residency training, they moved to Florence, AL & lived there raising their family for 14 years. They recently moved to Cottonwood, CA to join Bethel Church in Redding, CA
Melissa and Duane adopted Nathaniel and Benjamin from Bulgaria in 1996 and 1 1/2 months later Graham was born. Five years later in 2002, Seora and Maggie were adopted from Romania. They continued to add to their family with the adoption of Eli from China in 2006. In 2009, They brought home Allenni, Andrew and Isaiah from Uganda. Edith recently came to them in 2011 from Uganda via NC bringing the total of kids to ten. Their home surely has no lack of activity or drama!

Melissa and Duane's Qualifications

*In 1996 Duane received his MD from UT Memphis and practices as a pediatrician in Cottonwood, CA.

*In 2002, Duane and Melissa received the Angels in Adoption Award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption for their state of AL.

* In 2008-09 Melissa was Children's director at Gracehouse,Florence, AL

*In 2009 Duane and Melissa received their certification as Trainers from BCI Institute for Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control. -- A program that provides every child the opportunity to be parented out of love, ending the myth that a child can only respond and bond to a parent through fear-based parenting."-BCI website

* In 2010 Melissa received the DIANA award from Epsilon Sigma Alpha an international philanthropic organization for women, for the North Alabama region and then again for the State of Alabama. (The DIANA award - Distinguished International Academy of Noble Achievement) The award is designed to recognize those outside of ESA, who have dedicated their time and love to others.

* In 2010 Duane and Melissa completed their training in a 2 year program entitled "Redeemed Lives". They were ordained as certified ministers of Inner Healing. This program deals with ministering to the Inner Healing of those who have suffered abuse, rejection, loss and addictions.

*In 2010 Melissa received her Chaplain Certification allowing her to minister in more places to those hurting and in need.

In 2011, Melissa and Duane completed basic training in Sozo, an inner healing program where sozo is the greek word for "Saved, Healed & Delivered". This program helps the wounded person connect to the Trinity to heal the woundedness of their souls.