Both Ends Burning: My Story of Adopting Three Children from Haiti

by Craig Juntunen

Craig Juntunen appeared to have it all. He sold his company at the age of 40, and set out to live the good life of retirement. But he soon began to feel something was lacking. When a friend told him the story of adopting two girls from Haiti, Craig's emptiness gave way to a sense of adventure. On a trip to the desperate Third World nation, a country wracked by poverty, corruption and kidnappings, his self-serving lifestyle began a very profound transformation. At an orphanage outside of Port-Au-Prince Craig encountered Espie, Amelec and Quinn. Even after decades of table-pounding declarations he would never have children, at 51 Craig became a dad. This inspirational story of an unexpected journey and personal transformation will say many things to different people. But for all it delivers a powerful reminder of our responsibility to reach out and be there for kids. "Craig's story is very compelling and very real. It demonstrates the beauty of the adoption story....everybody wins. You start out by providing a home for a child but you end up providing more for yourself than you ever imagined." Kirk Triplett, PGA Golf Professional and adoptive parent.

236 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2009

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Of course, my opinion is biased by the fact that I'm going down this journey myself.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time with the author, felt he was very self involved and at the same time clueless about the world around him aside from his country club golf set......... but I do appreciate that he has taken an interest in international adoption and is working to make it a better world for homeless children, hopefully he will make the necessary strides to help change the world in that respect. I would have enjoyed hearing more about his wife's reaction to meeting the children and how her life changed. I also was hoping to learn more about Haiti, which didn't happen.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, easy read and a topic close to my heart so I make a very biased reviewer! But the foundation/organization (advocating international adoption rather than trying to crucify it through strangulation by red tape) is one-of-a-kind and I wish the book actually would've contained content about it. It doesn't, unfortunately. Still, an uplifting, fun read with a happy ending.