standing up, speaking out...

Currently, I am working with an organization called YWAM (Youth With a Mission) and attending the Children at Risk school in San Jose, Costa Rica. My passion is to work with kids, especially ones in impoverished situations. Through this school, I will be getting the tools to work with these kids and families and helping them change their lives.

My first experience overseas, living and working with Jamaican children, changed my life completely. I will never forget these children and the impact they had on my life. Because of this, I am now learning how to love and work with kids at risk all over the world.

I feel the term that really describes me is “ruined for the ordinary.” Through my experiences and the way that I’ve come to know God, I know that my life can never be “normal” or “ordinary” again. I’ve learned about God’s heart of love and justice, and I’ve played with dirty kids in the street. I’ve talked with young girls who have no hope for the future. My heart has been broken over the injustices happening in this world and I know that I can’t turn my back on them.

My aspiration is to be a friend to the friendless, to give hope and bring love and restoration to families and children, and to work with the children that no one else wants. I want to bring laughter to children and to teach them how to find their passion, especially through the arts. I see myself working and living in impoverished communities and empowering the people to transform their own lives. My desire is to serve and give of myself, to be a voice for the voiceless and above all else: to love.

“But you must defend those who are helpless and have no hope. Be fair and give justice to the poor and homeless.”
–Proverbs 31:8-9

“But if we say we love God and don’t love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don’t love the people we can see? The commandment that God has given us is: “Love God and love each other!”
-1 John 4:20-21

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words." -St. Francis of Assisi

*Strength for the Children at Risk school--there are so many intense subjects, as well as many things going on in my own life--and it will be physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally draining at times.

*Finances for my school.

*At the moment, Haiti is on my heart in a huge way. In an article I recently read, the number of orphans tripled after the earthquake. Please keep the people of Haiti in your prayers.

If you would like to support me financially, you can send money through PayPal. For a tax deductible donation, you can send a check to:

Grace Church of the Valley
1709 Nowlin Ave.
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

Please make the check out to Grace Church of the Valley and specify that it's for Amanda Maune. If you have any questions, you can contact me at maune_221@yahoo.com.

Also, I would love your support in other ways as well! I would appreciate your prayers, letters of encouragment or any other way you would like to step in beside me and support me.

Another way you can support me is by helping me to raise awareness about the issues that I'm learning about right now. There are so many injustices happening in the world, especially to children, and I would love for you to join with me in speaking out for those who have no voice.

Thank you so much for all of your love, support and prayers.