Three Heart Surgeries

Jade going outside














Benjamin's long crawl















Angel's new clothes
As per usual there is never a dull moment over here. A week and a half ago, Benjamin's mouth, feet and hands were becoming noticeably bluer. Dr Li, the pediatric cardiologist, had warned me that this might happen and so I knew the situation was getting very serious and I should make some immediate arrangements to have him operated on. Dr Li and I have been sending emails back and forth and to make a long story short I have to get Benjamin to Hangzhou as soon as I can. The cost of his surgery is estimated at about 37 000RMB which is about US$4600.

Money is always a factor and this was my first concern. I emailed the foundation we use in Colorado and much to my surprise there was an extra US$6000 in donations in that account, money that I was not expecting. You cannot imagine how my heart was touched. I am so grateful to people who are so generous with their resources and who are so moved by the plight of these babies.

My mind works in strange ways. I immediately thought about taking Jade and Angel to Hangzhou for their operations too, as if Benjamin is not enough. I want to know what it feels like to have three babies recovering from heart surgery at the same time!!!! Not exactly your every day experience. It will save a lot of time and we can bring them home one week apart according to Dr Li. (Benjamin 3 weeks, Jade 2 and Angel 1) Jade and Angel's operation together will cost an additional US$5 400. So this is what I am trying to do right now: I am trying to raise an additional US$4000 as soon as I can. We have to leave as soon as I am able which will be next week if I can manage it. So my time to raise the money is rather short.

So, if you are looking for an opportunity to make a huge difference today, here it is. No matter how small you donation is, every little bit helps and if all the people to whom I write this letter should contribute US$10 then I will have most of the cost covered. There is great power in those numbers. I have seen what good can come from it. Nina's spina bifida operation and Susan's heart operations are just two so far, not to mention Jonas and Laura's cleft surgeries.

www.lovewithoutboundaries.com

Love Without Boundaries (LWB) do so much for children in China and they have been so helpful to me in the past. Susan has had her heart operations sponsored by LWB and the people who support them. They are the ones who are going to be doing Gabriel, Michael and Sarah cleft lip repairs in October 2006. So if you are looking for a chance to make donations which really help children, this is the place. I have living proof of that in my house. LWB have a good relationship with the hospital in Hangzhou and they were the ones who recommended Dr.Li, whom I trust implicitly with the care of the babies.

They are going to collect tax exempt donations (Federal ID # 06-1710161) and there is two ways to do this.

1) Go to their main page, select " How to Help", then click on "Donate" which is below under their logo on the upper right side and then look for Nina's picture. She is next to the "Other Donation" and in the comment field write: Amanda's Heart Babies. This is important because they are looking for donations for several other children at the moment.

2) You can mail a contribution to:

Love Without Boundaries,
306 S Bryant, Suite C,
PMB 145,
Edmond OK 73034

Also write for Amanda's Heart Babies and remember to include you address for their tax receipts.

Also, when we go over the expected amount (notice my optimism) then I will be sure to keep the money for Sean who will be needing it in the future.

I have been so incredibly blessed to be so intimately involved in the care of these children and I am in awe of your willingness to support me and the chance that it brings for all of us to alter the course of the life of a child so dramatically. I appreciate knowing how much you pray for my success and for the welfare of the children.

Thank you so very much.

With a humble and grateful heart and an added dose of love with a lot of laughter,
Amanda.