Saturday, March 17, 2012

Andrew Speaks

I have a new friend.



My new friend's name is Andrew, and he is a very, very special guy.  The picture above shows Andrew in his Halloween costume.  I think he looks pretty sharp!

Andrew is 27 years old and works in a company mail room. For fun, Andrew plays floor hockey and swims for Special Olympics.  Whether at work or at play, Andrew is nearly always happily humming one of two tunes: Good King Wenceslas or Here Comes the Bride.  Although Andrew struggles with both vision and hearing loss, he doesn't let those challenges get him down. In the words of another friend, Andrew is a miracle man. 

Andrew has been a HUGE Reece's Rainbow fan for a long time.  A few years ago, a friend honored Andrew by making a donation to RR in Andrew's name.  That donation went into the grant account of a little RR boy named Andriy.  When Andrew heard little Andriy's story, he got so excited about finding a family for Andriy that he made several donations of his own.  Then Andrew waited, prayed and hoped for Andriy's family to step forward.  When the Taylor family  committed to adopt Andriy (Jadon).....


......Andrew was beside himself with joy, jumping up and down, pumping his fists and screaming "Yes, yes!!"

Andriy's family had absolutely no idea that their boy across the ocean had such a mighty prayer warrior on his side.

Andrew is also a fan of our Aaron, and he is very excited about our Mulligan Stew feast.  Out of all of the children and families on our list, Andrew chose to donate his hard-earned money to Hanson.  Why?  Because, in Andrew's own words, "I don't think he should stay in an orphanage.  A family is a better thing.  I think I would have been a Lost Boy.  It would be scary.  I don't think I should think about it."



Oh sweet Andrew, I am so glad that you didn't end up as a Lost Boy!!

Andrew wonders about Hanson and the other Lost Boys: "Why do they do that? Why no parents? Don't they care? Why go away and leave their kids? That's very bad, my mom and dad are good."

 I wonder the same thing, Andrew. 

Andrew told me that he likes our Mulligan Stew, and thinks that it will taste good.  He also told me that he is praying for my family.  So you can see why Andrew is my new best friend - to know that someone with faith like that is praying for my family is a tremendous blessing. 

When I asked Andrew if he would let me share his story, he enthusiastically agreed.  "Tell the world," he said. "I will be famous."

Sweet Andrew wants to be famous, and I want to help him along on the road to stardom.  So today, I am presenting a challenge:  Please, today or tomorrow, make a donation to any family or child in our Mulligan Stew Giveaway and then LEAVE A COMMENT FOR ANDREW to let him know that you made the donation IN HIS NAME.  Don't forget to give me a total.  Let's bless Andrew's socks right off his feet!  Make Andrew pump his fists for joy each time he sees that another family or child has been blessed because HE SHARED HIS STORY WITH US! 

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"A Common Stew for an Uncommonly Good Cause!"

 



We have raised $12,062.78 so far in this Giveaway!!
192 people have donated.


GO TO THIS LINK TO SEE WHAT WAS DONATED TO THE MULLIGAN STEW GIVEAWAY 2012 AND TO SEE WHOM IT BENEFITED!!  THIS GIVEAWAY ENDED MARCH 31, 2012


34 comments:

  1. Please let Andrew know that he has inspired me. I gave $5 to Hanson and hope to give much more very soon! What a wonderful example Andrew is for all of us!

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  2. Andrew, thank you for inspiring me to help other children. I read your story and it made me so proud to hear it. I think you will have many many friends that will hope to meet you one day. Big hugs and thanks to you and my very special friend Julia.

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  3. Hi !! I just donated again - this time, $10 to Hanson - and I'll also be sharing Andrew's story on FB and my blog - tell Andrew thanks for being an advocate for the RR kids :)

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  4. Andrew, I think you are wonderful! I donated $20 to the Duncan family adoption! You ROCK your Halloween costume too:)

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  5. Andrew, your faith in our Lord encourages me!!! In honor of you, our family gave $70 to Hanson this morning- he now has over $500 in his fund! Thank you Andrew for being faithful to pray for the children of EE!

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  6. Andrew, you inspired me this morning! When I read Julia's Facebook post about donating in your name, my first thought was, I cant, it's a week til payday and I've already donated, I just can't. But here I am, reading your story and now thinking, I have to, I can, I will! I have to help you help sweet Hanson, so I donated $10 to him, and I do it in your honor Andrew! Thank you for caring! God bless you!
    Christina

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  7. JULIA!!!!!! How did you know of Andrew's ties to our family!!!!!!!! I know I blogged of it once, but to have his picture!! OH MY!!!! Now, I know what he looks like and Jadon Andrew is so happy to have had Andrew's help in bringing him home!!!!

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    1. I learned of the story yesterday!! I was so thrilled to find out that he had been praying for (Andriy) Jadon. After everything you went through - to find out that God answered your prayers through such a mighty warrior... Goodness me - How precious is that! It just made me cry. Andrew is a hero!!

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  8. I donated $10 to Makayla's family in Andrew's name. Andrew is Awesome!

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  9. My son Jonathan (via me) just donated $10 to Kolina due to this story and the blessingofverity's story this morning.

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  10. In honor of my Kayla girl and Coleen - $50 to the Duncan family.

    Brooke
    www.MarvelousLoveBlog.com

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  11. Andrew, I have donated $11.50 to Hanson because he was your choice, and I know that with your prayers (and those of everyone else who read your story), Hanson's family will find him and he will not be a Lost Boy anymore! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with Julia and becoming famous through the Mulligan Stew giveaway!

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  12. Thank you to those who are donating to the Duncan family/Kolina... That is another tear-jerker!!

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    1. I donated to Maria's family ($5) and to Jack ($5) in honor of Andrew. I loved reading your post about him. My son's name is Andrew and I immediately just felt a connection to "your" Andrew! :)

      Although we are not able to adopt at this time, I have felt a pull towards sweet Jack because he reminds me of my daughter. I am praying for all these children and their families. Thanks so much for all the hard work you put into this blog!

      Beth

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  13. Andrew, you are so right. Hanson should not stay in an orphanage. He should have a good mom and dad like you did. I gave some money to the stew yesterday, but held some back not knowing who I wanted to give it to. Thank you for speaking up for Hanson. I am happy to give to him in your name.

    Total giving is $35 to Heim family, Menges family, Duncan family and Hanson.

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  14. Donated to the Heim family b/c today is Traci's birthday, and she and Scott were very instrumental in teaching us that adopting a child with HIV is SO NOT scary! And because of that we have our precious son, Gavin!

    And also donated to Victoria because, even though I can't be her mama, I am her guardian angel. (At least according to RR ;)

    Happily shared this on my blog and Facebook, too!

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  15. Simply inspiring, Andrew. I can't do much but I donated $5 to Kolina/Duncan family.

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  16. Donated to Emmit in Andrew's name. Thanks Andrew for praying & caring about these kids!!

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  17. Andrew, you are a shining star! You are so right that Hanson should have his own family and not be a "Lost Boy" I have donated $25 to Hanson's acount in honor of you!

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  18. I donated $5 to the Menges family for Andrew!

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  19. Dear Andrew, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us on these boys and girls. Thank you for praying for them so many times. We are glad to meet you and have given $10 for Hanson today, because you asked us to.

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  20. I donated $10 to the Helm family and will be back next week to donate to another little angel :^)

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  21. Oh andrew we seem to have a few things in common, 1.I am a huge Montreal Canadians Fan 2. I too believe no child belongs in an ophanage. I donated $20.00 to Jack cause he need a family rigt away. Bless your hart!

    Tina

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  22. Oh Andrew, you have blessed my heart! I am donating $25.00 to Jack this time because he needs and mom and dad and also because you Andrew, are very special. Blessings to you!

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  23. Andrew, you are an inspiration! $20 for the Booth family.

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  24. In honor of Andrew I donated $20 today - $10 to the Heim family and $10 to the Duncan family. I just wish I could give more. Thank you Julia for all that you do to help these beautiful children!

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  25. Thank you for sharing your heart Andrew! I made a donation to Victoria in your honor. Bless you! Christine

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  26. Andrew, you are amazing and I loved reading your story!!! My boys love to swim also...they will be participating in a Special Olympics swimming event at their school in a couple of months!! We donated $25 in your name to the Archer family!!! Blessings, Jennifer in DE

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  27. Andrew, you rock!! :) I love your heart. I gave $100 to Hanson in your name.

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  28. I donated to Victoria in honor of Andrew. :)

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  29. I donated to Victoria in honor of Andrew :)

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  30. I'm saving up this month to see how much I can donate at the end of the giveaway but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to donate today in honor of Andrew...

    Andrew, you are truly an amazing and inspiring young man! I donated $10 to the Heim and $10 to Hanson in your name.

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  31. Donated $25 to Igor in Andrew's name.

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  32. Hey Andrew, just wanted to let you know that your fame is spreading - I have friends in England and Hong Kong who have shared your story ! :)

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Loving words from kind people make our hearts glad!