tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post7442554891340005007..comments2014-01-09T15:33:16.107-05:00Comments on Life of a Thousand Hills: Gabriel IIAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17629615481809545626noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-21349001978042690262014-01-09T15:33:16.107-05:002014-01-09T15:33:16.107-05:00I like this blog alot, will follow your posts in t...I like this blog alot, will follow your posts in the future.Facinating article, it really makes someone think. I always like to read interesting articles like this one. Thanks for sharing it with us.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.world-cccam.com/" rel="nofollow">Cardsharing Server</a><br />Share Clear Best Cardsahring Cccam Serverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18110444726860752783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-43965281976144663612010-07-24T19:49:24.576-04:002010-07-24T19:49:24.576-04:00Wow. So glad to find this blog. I spent just two w...Wow. So glad to find this blog. I spent just two weeks in a little village in Rwanda building a house and it changed my life. A part of my heart is still there. <br />I love that I can connect with Rwanda through you. Amazing! <br />Thank you!Herahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01054225997453188963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-20365684784122483732010-06-11T08:54:57.180-04:002010-06-11T08:54:57.180-04:00Wow. I am not sure which is more touching, your w...Wow. I am not sure which is more touching, your words or seeing how your words are affecting everyone. Somehow it feels like you're taking care of a whole part of the world for all of us. It's amazing how just human touch and care can sooth an ill child. Something that medicines from anywhere would struggle to do. Mandy you are such an inspiration. Thanks for taking the time to tell all of us about your experiences.Joeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10476991567649509893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-36428071785589508622010-05-27T16:28:28.801-04:002010-05-27T16:28:28.801-04:00p.s. jtjrb is the Whitehouse family in Stafford, V...p.s. jtjrb is the Whitehouse family in Stafford, VA sorry could not get that in there earlier WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-38949103801134668392010-05-27T16:26:53.959-04:002010-05-27T16:26:53.959-04:00MANDY, SO PROUD OF YOU FOR SHOWING SUCH COURAGE TO...MANDY, SO PROUD OF YOU FOR SHOWING SUCH COURAGE TO LEAVE EVERYTHING YOU KNOW TO GO FAR AWAY TO ANOTHER LAND AND TRY TO MSKE A DIFFERENCE IN OTHERS LIVES. YOU ARE A MOST AMAZING WOMAN. WE ARE VERY PROUD TO BE PART OF YOUR FAMILY!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND STAY SAFE!!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-91690603092347068822010-05-17T17:30:32.384-04:002010-05-17T17:30:32.384-04:00I know you're very busy ...just wanted to let ...I know you're very busy ...just wanted to let you know that we're still here and sending good vibes to you.<br /><br />krystalthegoodwenchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13040494335007144939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-27920635329348418282010-05-12T08:30:19.230-04:002010-05-12T08:30:19.230-04:00Hello...I came across your blog and was instantly ...Hello...I came across your blog and was instantly touched by your posts. I am brand new to Kigali my self (just 1 week in) and would love to also volunteer my time. Could I get in touch with you?Miyuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10696810223121544654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-21115408657754600862010-05-07T21:03:16.061-04:002010-05-07T21:03:16.061-04:00Amanda,
As you are well aware, there are many fami...Amanda,<br />As you are well aware, there are many families in the process of adopting from Rwanda. Your eyes, ears, heart and stories are very valuable to us that are waiting. You have provided a great picture of the orphanage and the situation there. THANK YOU!The Just Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00286026068695139926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-46590734886777017812010-05-07T20:23:06.838-04:002010-05-07T20:23:06.838-04:00Hi Amanda, I happen to find your blog by accident...Hi Amanda, I happen to find your blog by accident, although there aren't any accidents. I think God made this happen. We are in the process of adoption from Rwanda. When we started our process, we asked for only one child. However, lately I feel God is calling us to adopt two children instead, and we are approve for two with immigration and home study. This is the reason I happened to find your blog. I just had a friend come back from Ethiopia she is also in the process of adopting her second child. SHe was the one who forward me a blog of a family who adopted two boys last year from rwanda, and in that blog your link was mentioned. Everyday that goes by I think God is showing us that we should bring two children home. Thank you so much for writing down your experience it really means a lot to me. It is reinforcing that another child needs to have a mommy and daddy. Thank you, thank you greatlly. maybe will get to meet you when we are picking up our children.The Nielsen'shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00559367249820156094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-53227962878998755632010-05-05T16:30:26.639-04:002010-05-05T16:30:26.639-04:00Thanks again Amanda for the wonderful and encourag...Thanks again Amanda for the wonderful and encouraging post! (should have read this one before commenting on the last, because the importance of adopting these precious children certainly came out here!) So glad you met our former POA and dear friend - she is an amazing woman and I hope your friendship continues to grow as you share His love with these precious babies at HOH! Many blessings, and I wish I were back there hugging them too!<br /><br />www.sneadventure.blogspot.comShellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12833398025857875918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-18807537304579912102010-05-05T11:14:06.080-04:002010-05-05T11:14:06.080-04:00Just another FYI to those posting here that they w...Just another FYI to those posting here that they want to help. While the nuns at the orphanage do not want "public" fundraising done for them there is a way. Well two really great ways actually. Adoption is VERY expensive. While the government of Rwanda does not charge fees the adoption agencies in the US do charge large fees in addition to fees for US immigration paperwork and airfare. Our total cost with our whole family traveling with us to Rwanda was just under 30k. So if you want to help reach out to those families who are trying to adopt. Many hold fundraisers such as selling shirts and could really use the financial support. Also the best way to get donations to orphanages in Africa is for adoptive parents or humanitarians to bring the donations in their luggage when they travel. It is super expensive to mail things and most items get taken at customs unless they are split up in travelors' luggage. We brought 4 extra suitcases to Rwanda, totalling 200 pounds of donations that we delivered directly to the nuns at Home of Hope orphanage when we picked up our son. A small dent indeed but a start.<br /><br />KariOne Hot Homesteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00339808185964043177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-26980967795664341202010-05-05T11:03:29.269-04:002010-05-05T11:03:29.269-04:00When I read your 1st post about Annuncia, I admit ...When I read your 1st post about Annuncia, I admit my immediate reaction was, "How can we help? Could we get the church involved? We've donated toys for kids in Iraq..." The next morning, however, haunted by your beautiful story, I awoke thinking, "Those kids don't need toys... they need someone to adopt them and to love them." I was very pleasantly surprised, then, to see that you had written another story - about how Annuncia was adopted. <br />Give them all a hug from me and our family. You are doing great things.Kelly Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665769235303978769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-8726442336947635562010-05-05T00:43:11.088-04:002010-05-05T00:43:11.088-04:00We adopted our son from Home of Hope Orphanage in ...We adopted our son from Home of Hope Orphanage in December 2009 at the age of 3. He had lived there since the approximate age of 9 months. Despite some medical issues and malnutrition he is thriving, happy, and outgoing. The nuns take very good care of the children even if resources are slim. My heart aches regularly for the children that we left behind. It is comforting to know that adoptions are still happening and that there are extra hands there helping out. Just a FYI, the person that you speak of is not the only person assisting families with adoptions in Rwanda. There are many POAs now doing similar work. Feel free to contact me if you would like to connect.One Hot Homesteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00339808185964043177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-10915303099407901562010-05-04T23:14:52.158-04:002010-05-04T23:14:52.158-04:00Amanda,
I have not commented on here yet, but I ha...Amanda,<br />I have not commented on here yet, but I have been keeping up with your posts. I am speechless and sad and joyful and overwhelmed by your experience so far. Most of all I am greatful. I feel very blessed to be able to share in all of this. I will go to sleep tonight praying and thinking about the dear children you are sharing with us. Thank you for allowing me to follow. God bless you!<br />XoXo Susie.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09846013917315916315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-53083259666392979792010-05-04T20:03:45.188-04:002010-05-04T20:03:45.188-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.steps directedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741140890996753772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-62891426221869887702010-05-04T17:56:44.463-04:002010-05-04T17:56:44.463-04:00hey Amanda! Maybe you held our baby! We are awai...hey Amanda! Maybe you held our baby! We are awaiting a 2 year old little boy, our paperwork is in process in Rwanda. Thank you for loving the least of these and letting us into the orphanage where our children wait with your beautiful words! <br /><br />Thank you!!Jennie Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13915012788325421944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-10508370416207919092010-05-04T13:11:17.863-04:002010-05-04T13:11:17.863-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Courtney Cassadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03291160183401512666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-58127288059189717482010-05-04T11:39:51.052-04:002010-05-04T11:39:51.052-04:00It is amazing how God's love reaches so far......It is amazing how God's love reaches so far...how His presence is felt. How He hears our prayers and knows just what we are speaking about...even when we do not. Thank you for sharing and hearing and moving.crazytalk05https://www.blogger.com/profile/14459764459033584766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-13424182736822402522010-05-04T10:24:43.398-04:002010-05-04T10:24:43.398-04:00Mandy, thank you for your beautiful words and acti...Mandy, thank you for your beautiful words and actions. You are capturing in words a people of the world most of us will only know through you.<br /><br />I had the great fortune of attending mass with Mother Teresa in Washington DC years ago. Although I was half way back in the pews and very far away from where she spoke on the alter it was CLEAR that there was a holy aura about her - she literally glowed. When you described the sister you met I instantly thought of my experience which I hadn't thought of in years. I think these sisters must be on higher plane of love as Bubba says. Love infused with the Holy Spirit and then applied to the most needy of people.<br /><br />I can't believe Annuncia was adopted, but I can believe it to. All those prayers and positive thoughts moved the universe in just the way she needed.<br /><br />Keep going to the sisters - you will change others and you will be changed.Paulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11813028334232600926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-42210898440588449412010-05-03T17:06:58.278-04:002010-05-03T17:06:58.278-04:00Sometimes, if we are very fortunate, we encounter ...Sometimes, if we are very fortunate, we encounter someone whose vision and commitments are absent of guile and whose purposes are so detached and so elevated that they are not proximate to our norms or our thinking. You have had such an encounter with the good Sisters of Mother Theresa. You are a lucky one. Most of us never never hear of such people much less meet them. They will change the world their way, one person at a time and they give meaning to the the old chestnut, "each one reach one". You did good Panda, you reached one.<br /><br />BubbaPatriciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14950578332134800280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-42349461384464437512010-05-03T16:23:38.280-04:002010-05-03T16:23:38.280-04:00Amanda, This is the most amazing news I think I ha...Amanda, This is the most amazing news I think I have ever heard..fate brought you and Annuncia together..the same way I believe it has brought you to the advocate you met at the orphanage..YOU were meant to do great things.. together with our help WE are going to do great things for this community.. I just know it.. JBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-21344161084637682232010-05-03T16:19:43.432-04:002010-05-03T16:19:43.432-04:00Mandy
Thank you for sharing with us. Thank you fo...Mandy<br /><br />Thank you for sharing with us. Thank you for shrinking this world. I can't wait to hear of all the miracles that unfold. I hope we can continue to be a part of them. <br /><br />Diane - beautiful love letter.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06278279174569730517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-79743426317240386462010-05-03T14:17:55.150-04:002010-05-03T14:17:55.150-04:00you are hugging my good friends' sons. their b...you are hugging my good friends' sons. their boys are there, and they are waiting for their letter...and i am waiting to buy them some shoes.<br /><br />grace and peace be with you as you work-beckleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03231202441931711021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-19189659668372149312010-05-03T13:21:00.296-04:002010-05-03T13:21:00.296-04:00That's wonderful news. Thank You Mandy! I lo...That's wonderful news. Thank You Mandy! I love the power of prayer!Paul & Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12402497047002135218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5934086182773915027.post-77867758838634567942010-05-03T12:43:20.469-04:002010-05-03T12:43:20.469-04:00The website for what I believe she is referring to...The website for what I believe she is referring to as the Institute of Orphan Advocacy is http://www.orphaninstitute.org/. They are based in McLean, VA and there is a little information on their website. Another reference to them can be found here: http://www.razoo.com/story/Institute-For-Orphan-Advocacy. We will, of course, send them love and prayers, but Amanda, please let us know if there is anything else we can send to this community to help them.Heather Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07033129109191157214noreply@blogger.com