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Frederick: A Story of Boundless Hope
“My God won’t let me do that.” These seven words of boundless hope would irreversibly change the life of the teenage boy who spoke them. On April 7, 1994 the life of Frederick Ndabaramiye and his family changed forever as the Rwandan genocide erupted in their homeland. When Frederick faced those same genocidaires a few years later, he noted the machete that hung from the right hand closest to him and wondered if his would soon be added to the layers of dried blood that clung to the blade. Either way, young Frederick knew that he wouldn’t be able to carry out the orders just given to him, to raise that blade against the other passengers of the bus, regardless of the race marked on their identity cards. That bold decision would cause Frederick to lose his hands. But what the killers meant for harm, God intended for good. The cords that bound him served as a tourniquet, saving his life when his hands were hacked away. This new disability eventually fueled Frederick’s passion to show the world that disabilities do not have to stop you from living a life of undeniable purpose. From that passion, the Ubumwe Community Center was born, where "people like me" come to discover their own purposes and abilities despite their circumstances. Through miraculous mercy and divine appointment, Frederick forgives those who harmed him and goes on to fully grasp his God-given mission. In this extraordinary true story of forgiveness, faith, and hope, you will be challenged, convicted, and forever converted to a believer of the impossible.
190 pages, Hardcover
First published September 16, 2014
8 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 20, 2015
Powerful: that is the best adjective to describe this book. No matter how many stories you’ve heard about the ravages of war, you’ve never hear it quite like this. Frederick is an amazing person with an incredible grasp of grace.
After reading this, you’ll walk away with a new appreciation of God’s love & the healing power of forgiveness. It’s an absolute must-read & I highly recommend it with a 5 star rating.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
After reading this, you’ll walk away with a new appreciation of God’s love & the healing power of forgiveness. It’s an absolute must-read & I highly recommend it with a 5 star rating.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
November 26, 2014
A story of a brave teenager who became a hope and inspiration for many people: disabled, broken, and without hope. He teaches people to have hope again in any matters in life. God is bigger than any dangerous situation in life.
He showed that not having hands shouldn’t stop people from achieving and living the best whom God called people to be.
It’s a story of terrible manslaughter, pain, and genocide that brought force incredible amount of hope to produce happiness, stability, and joy to the Rwanda country.
I love this story of God’s healing power and His unmistakable grace and goodness over every life.
* My review is based solemnly on my opinion. The book was provided by BookLook Bloggers for my honest review.
He showed that not having hands shouldn’t stop people from achieving and living the best whom God called people to be.
It’s a story of terrible manslaughter, pain, and genocide that brought force incredible amount of hope to produce happiness, stability, and joy to the Rwanda country.
I love this story of God’s healing power and His unmistakable grace and goodness over every life.
* My review is based solemnly on my opinion. The book was provided by BookLook Bloggers for my honest review.
October 6, 2014
Frederick pulls at your heart from every direction. The trials he endured are unfathomable, yet his faith is unshakable. Amy Parker shares his story so vividly and candidly the reader feels as if they are in Rwanda – heart pounding, uncertainty and fear choking and paralyzing them -- as they not only dive deeper into Frederick’s story of obstacles and overcoming, but also into their personal stories, causing readers to look inward, refueled to conquer their own disablements with boundless hope.
November 17, 2016
Good book! The book is Frederick Ndabaramiye's autobiography, of his experience surviving the Rwandan Hutu genocide of the Tutsis. What an evil time he experienced! He lost both arms in the process. His inspiration, though, should be studied by everyone, especially by those who've experienced traumatic events in their lives.
January 27, 2017
A hard book to read because of the descriptions of the author's experiences during the Rwandan genocide. He had his hands chopped off with a dull machete and survived and started a center for disabled people. "Disability is not inability."(p. 144) We must all learn to forgive and live again, he says.
June 22, 2017
•"The good thing is this: although we are broken, we all have the same offer to be made whole again. We all have a God Who wants to lift us up from our dusty, dirty brokenness and piece us back together again, making us something more beautiful than when we began and perhaps even leaving a few cracks so that His glory can shine through."•
March 24, 2015
An actual experience of a young man who survived ethnic cleansing in Rwanda, Africa. The story reveals a young man who showed great courage and was able to forgive his persecutors.Stunning,sad and gripping.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2016
What an inspiring book.
The truly awful things that happened to Frederick are told with honesty. He didn't want to keep going. But he did, he could see God's hand on his life and found incredible ways to make a difference to so many people.
This is an inspiring read. I felt uplifted.
The truly awful things that happened to Frederick are told with honesty. He didn't want to keep going. But he did, he could see God's hand on his life and found incredible ways to make a difference to so many people.
This is an inspiring read. I felt uplifted.
September 7, 2015
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers [Harpercollins Publishers] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
_140_245_Book.1415.coverFrederick: A Story of Boundless Hope
by Frederick Ndabaramiye and Amy Parker
“My God won’t let me do that.”
These seven words of boundless hope would irreversibly change the life of the teenage boy who spoke them.
On April 7, 1994 the life of Frederick Ndabaramiye and his family changed forever as the Rwandan genocide erupted in their homeland. When Frederick faced those same genocidaires a few years later, he noted the machete that hung from the right hand closest to him and wondered if his would soon be added to the layers of dried blood that clung to the blade. Either way, young Frederick knew that he wouldn’t be able to carry out the orders just given to him, to raise that blade against the other passengers of the bus, regardless of the race marked on their identity cards.
That bold decision would cause Frederick to lose his hands. But what the killers meant for harm, God intended for good. The cords that bound him served as a tourniquet, saving his life when his hands were hacked away. This new disability eventually fueled Frederick’s passion to show the world that disabilities do not have to stop you from living a life of undeniable purpose. From that passion, the Ubumwe Community Center was born, where “people like me” come to discover their own purposes and abilities despite their circumstances.
Through miraculous mercy and divine appointment, Frederick forgives those who harmed him and goes on to fully grasp his God-given mission. In this extraordinary true story of forgiveness, faith, and hope, you will be challenged, convicted, and forever converted to a believer of the impossible.
About the author
Frederick Ndabaramiye is a Rwandan genocide survivor and co-founder of the Ubumwe Community Center, an organization that helps “people like me” to discover their purpose and abilities in spite of their circumstances. After losing his hands in post-genocide conflicts, Frederick lived in the Imbabazi Orphanage, where he met Zachary Dusingizimana. Together they founded and operate a community center and primary school that serves the people of Gisenyi, Rwanda, and the surrounding area.
Amy Parker has made her mark as an experienced and versatile writer and editor who has a particular enthusiasm for children’s books. She authored the bestselling A Night Night Prayer and has collaborated with authors ranging from a New York Times bestseller to her own son.
Frederick is an amazing true story of one person’s account during and after the Rwandan genocide. It tells of the horrific events which were experienced by the author, Frederick, as well as the obstacles he overcame and soared above through the power and strength of Jesus. Frederick teaches the reader about what took place during the Rwandan genocide, faith in God, and forgiveness.
As I was reading the accounts of what took place in Frederick’s life, I could not even to begin to imagine what he had gone through (even though it was printed out in ink upon the pages I was viewing). Frederick stayed true to his faith in God, even when facing a horrific situation. Frederick did not allow his disabilities to drag him down, but instead they lifted him up and provided a much bigger purpose for him in this life. God continually remained by Frederick’s side in every step he took, guiding and protecting him. I also believe that God is not finished with Frederick yet, there are still greater triumphs in store for Frederick through his Lord Jesus Christ.
Frederick has inspired and encouraged me to stay true to my faith in God and know that there is nothing impossible when you have God by your side. Frederick displays the works of God throughout Frederick’s life and how God used his bad circumstances for good.
I highly recommend Frederick for all readers!
_140_245_Book.1415.coverFrederick: A Story of Boundless Hope
by Frederick Ndabaramiye and Amy Parker
“My God won’t let me do that.”
These seven words of boundless hope would irreversibly change the life of the teenage boy who spoke them.
On April 7, 1994 the life of Frederick Ndabaramiye and his family changed forever as the Rwandan genocide erupted in their homeland. When Frederick faced those same genocidaires a few years later, he noted the machete that hung from the right hand closest to him and wondered if his would soon be added to the layers of dried blood that clung to the blade. Either way, young Frederick knew that he wouldn’t be able to carry out the orders just given to him, to raise that blade against the other passengers of the bus, regardless of the race marked on their identity cards.
That bold decision would cause Frederick to lose his hands. But what the killers meant for harm, God intended for good. The cords that bound him served as a tourniquet, saving his life when his hands were hacked away. This new disability eventually fueled Frederick’s passion to show the world that disabilities do not have to stop you from living a life of undeniable purpose. From that passion, the Ubumwe Community Center was born, where “people like me” come to discover their own purposes and abilities despite their circumstances.
Through miraculous mercy and divine appointment, Frederick forgives those who harmed him and goes on to fully grasp his God-given mission. In this extraordinary true story of forgiveness, faith, and hope, you will be challenged, convicted, and forever converted to a believer of the impossible.
About the author
Frederick Ndabaramiye is a Rwandan genocide survivor and co-founder of the Ubumwe Community Center, an organization that helps “people like me” to discover their purpose and abilities in spite of their circumstances. After losing his hands in post-genocide conflicts, Frederick lived in the Imbabazi Orphanage, where he met Zachary Dusingizimana. Together they founded and operate a community center and primary school that serves the people of Gisenyi, Rwanda, and the surrounding area.
Amy Parker has made her mark as an experienced and versatile writer and editor who has a particular enthusiasm for children’s books. She authored the bestselling A Night Night Prayer and has collaborated with authors ranging from a New York Times bestseller to her own son.
Frederick is an amazing true story of one person’s account during and after the Rwandan genocide. It tells of the horrific events which were experienced by the author, Frederick, as well as the obstacles he overcame and soared above through the power and strength of Jesus. Frederick teaches the reader about what took place during the Rwandan genocide, faith in God, and forgiveness.
As I was reading the accounts of what took place in Frederick’s life, I could not even to begin to imagine what he had gone through (even though it was printed out in ink upon the pages I was viewing). Frederick stayed true to his faith in God, even when facing a horrific situation. Frederick did not allow his disabilities to drag him down, but instead they lifted him up and provided a much bigger purpose for him in this life. God continually remained by Frederick’s side in every step he took, guiding and protecting him. I also believe that God is not finished with Frederick yet, there are still greater triumphs in store for Frederick through his Lord Jesus Christ.
Frederick has inspired and encouraged me to stay true to my faith in God and know that there is nothing impossible when you have God by your side. Frederick displays the works of God throughout Frederick’s life and how God used his bad circumstances for good.
I highly recommend Frederick for all readers!
May 14, 2021
this was my first ever non fiction biography-ish book and I expected lots of boring moments but no. This book is an eye opener. I recommend this to anyone who basically reads non fics or self helps. It was inherently sad and empowering at the same time.
It was such an honor to get a glimpse about someone’s life.
It was such an honor to get a glimpse about someone’s life.
November 25, 2020
What an absolutely incredible story about the most incredible man I’ve ever read about. The pure relentless faith that fuels Frederick Ndabaramiye’s path after the nightmare he endured during the Rwandan genocides is far more than inspiring. Frederick proves that disability is not inability, and the things that happen to us, no matter how horrific or destructive, can either tear us apart or raise us up for the will of God. He chose to abandon the first path and choose faith. This story has changed my life, as it will the lives of every person blessed to hold it.
July 5, 2019
This book was so inspiring! Such great principles are taught as you learn about the horrors of the Rwandan genocide of the 1990s. This young man, whose hands were chopped off with a machete when he was a young teenager, was able to work through his injuries, his handicap, his anger, and his fear to go on to achieve great things, always giving credit to God. "A Story of Boundless Hope" is a fitting name indeed.
January 8, 2018
Frederick survives an unbelievable attack during the Rwandon genocide. But as the book says above it's title "A story of boundless hope" this young man, who is befriended by Jack Hanna, goes on to accomplish amazing things is this decimated country.
June 4, 2018
Very moving, full of hope & relatable even to us never having gone through what he did. We all have a disability or tradgedy to overcome in our life. His story can help us find a way- there’s always a way & don’t forget the god-shots.
January 5, 2020
I had the great pleasure and excitement of meeting Frederick and his family in Rwanda! Reading his book was only a small part of my experience, and I am also proud to have purchased some of his artwork!
March 30, 2024
Wow! What an inspirational and hopeful story! It is amazing how he is able to forgive those who needlessly and intentionally altered his life forever and how he turned their malice intent into magnanimity. Highly recommend!
April 24, 2019
Such an encouraging, amazing personal story of boundless hope in the Lord.
June 1, 2020
Lovely story!
June 22, 2020
This is an amazing true story, and the writing was very well done! It’s amazing to see how God provides for and sustains us!
July 30, 2020
I enjoyed this memoir because it's full of optimism and hope. I love the Frederick still lives full time in Rwanda, and pours back into the community there despite his personal disability.
May 16, 2020
I've read other books that have described the historical context and story of the Rwandan genocide, but I decided to also read this book just so I could hear one man's - or rather - one boy's story in the midst of it all. What makes Frederick's story so readable is that the outcome is so amazing. The horror he goes through as a boy is incredible, but somehow, by the grace of God, Frederick doesn't allow his wounds to stop him from being a blessing to others. He dreams bigger than most of us Westerners would dare, and has seen all of those dreams realized! An inspiring story.
March 27, 2017
Excellent book. This book isn't just a story, it is a man's life. His story of not just surviving but overcoming against all odds and making a better life for not only himself but hundreds of lives he has changed. If you need a story of hope and a renewing of mankind this book is for you. Getting through the details of the genocide were difficult but remember you only have to read about it, he lived it.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews