A Journey of Hope: Inspiring Stories of Courage and Unconditional Love (Paperback)

by Neil Willenson (Author), Kurt Chandler (Editor), Katja Heinemann (Photographer) "I sometimes wonder where I would be and what I would be doing had I not read a newspaper headline about 5 year-old Nile Sandeen..." (more)
Key Phrases: yellow boat, camp session, Camp Heartland, Neil Willenson, Daniel Flip (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"A Journey of Hope -- Inspiring Stories of Courage and Unconditional Love" is a collection photographs, stories, poems and reflections by and about the children of Camp Heartland.

From the Author
I sometimes wonder where I would be and what I would be doing had I not read a newspaper headline about five-year-old Nile Sandeen. Nile was the first child I ever met with HIV and the boy who inspired the founding of Camp Heartland.

Without Camp Heartland I would have certainly missed the pain and devastation of losing dozens of children, eulogizing a child who I loved like a brother, and experiencing moments of absolute sorrow when I knew there was nothing I could do to ease a child’s pain.

Yes, I could have missed the pain, but I also would have missed the moments of great inspiration and joy, the moments when I knew Camp Heartland was making a tangible difference, the moments I gave love and received even more, the moments that were so perfect I wish they were frozen in time.

"A Journey of Hope" provides you the opportunity to become familiar with the hopes, dreams and struggles experienced by children with AIDS and their families. I ask you to take your time with each page so you can truly absorb the substance of the children’s stories, poems, and photographs. As it has for me, I guarantee "meeting" these kids will profoundly change and inspire you.

Neil Willenson

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Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Camp Heartland Project, Inc. (April 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976716933
• ISBN-13: 978-0976716938
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #50,387 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Profound and Beautiful Journey Indeed, August 1, 2005

By	Bob Bowers Hivictorious, Inc. "Da Pirate" (Madison, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A Journey of Hope is a book that everyone should have the opportunity to read. It embodies the spirit of giving, compassion, caring and hope in a time of great apathy surrounding the disease. It gives an intimate, powerful and honest perspective of just how deeply HIV and AIDS have impacted our youth and families in America. A Journey of Hope profoundly moved me. Then, having had the privilege to serve as a counselor for Camp Heartland this summer, I shed even more tears having witnessed first hand, the raw and indescribable beauty and magic of Camp Heartland. I too had the distinct honor to meet the author who is one of the most remarkable and inspiring men I have ever met. His passion and commitment to our youth affected or infected by HIV is truly unparalleled. Mr. Willenson has graciously given you a personal gift, the opportunity to experience a glimpse of the beauty, love and spirit that the children of Camp Heartland possess and those that are fortunate enough to serve with them.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A selection of beautiful strength filled stories, August 6, 2005

By	Marlena "Pebbles" (St.Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This book is amazing. I have been a camper at Camp Heartland for about 10 years. To see my self on the cover and to be able to open the picture and story filled pages to see other friends that i have met over the years is a breath of fresh air. The poems and artwork show extreme talent in the children who created them. I highly recomend this book and think it is a great tool to teach people or children who are not as educated about it. It shined a light on the real faces of HIV/AIDS which makes everything alot less scary.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great for church groups, June 18, 2005

By	A. Feigh (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

I use this book with my church youth groups to talk about the power of the human spirit, compassion, community and strength. It is also a wonderful way to drive home the idea that one person can make a difference in the lives of others. Youth need to be reminded that there is no age limit to creating positive change.
Camp Heartland is doing amazing work to provide a safe place for children and youth with HIV to be loved for the amazing individuals that they are. This book can open doors for church groups to connect to the children and youth at Camp Heartland and follow up the connection with financial support and needed AIDS education for youth within church communities.