Letter from Anjai

I had a very nice letter from Anjali today. Things seem to have done a 180 since she started writing her own letters. It's like I have found a brand new child!

Dear Beverly Sykes:

Greetings to you in the sweet name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am fine here. I hope you same with you there. I am studying well. How are you? How is your health?

We are going enter int winter season. This season is very beautiful to us. I like the winter seasn. At morning time we have see the fog, on the open place. It is looking very nice. In this season we have many fruits like jujubi, custard apple, apple, pomogranate, etc. How is your weather?

We will be celebrating All Saints Day on November 1st and next day we will be celebrating All Souls Day on November 2nd. That day we decorated our elders' tomb with flowers and candles.

I am praying for you and your family in my daily prayers. You also pray for me. Once again, thank you for your sponsorship.

Your loving child,
Anjali

New Kiva Loan

I found a way to help someone in THIS country this time around. Of course I'd be more enthusiastic if there were a few GIANTS hats mixed in among those Yankee caps! Ibrahima lives in the Bronx.


Ibrahima is originally from West Africa. He has been is the United States since 1997, and when he first arrived he became a truck driver. After a few years on the road, Ibrahima knew he wanted to become more independent and start his own business. Six years ago, he opened a store selling sports apparel and urban style clothing. He says starting a business is all about taking chances, and that’s exactly what he did. With the store, Ibrahima is helping support his wife and three children.

In view of the upcoming cold season, Ibrahima needs to stock the store with warm clothing. He will use this loan to buy inventory such as coats, sweaters, and boots.

Letter from Theresa

I had another letter from Theresa today. It took about 3 weeks to get here, which is pretty good. She's only 4, so she doesn't write letters, but I liked her hand print. The person who wrote the letter for her says that she has a cat but hasn't named her yet because she didn't know if she could name her.

"Theresa can now pray before eating her food. She also assists in house chores She can now socialize with her age mates. She now interacts well with her friends"

I sent her back a tracing of my hand, which should make her laugh, it's so big!

Letter from Murugi

Murugi is a correspondence child, which means I don't sponsor her financially, but I write to her, since her financial sponsor doesn't. She is 19 and her letter today had exciting news.

Dear Beverly Sykes,

It is my hope and prayer that you are fine under God's Care. Back at home we are fine, experiencing the cold August weather. How is the weather back there?

We are now harvesting our crops from the shamba (a garden, in Kenya) at our place. We are happy and thankful to God because we are able to harvest a lot of maize and beans.

I'm happy that I did my secondary examination well and I've joined college. (I'm so happy for her!) My grandmother is very proud of me for that.

How are you doing back there? Do you take part in church activities like I do? I usually attend the church every Sunday. I'm also a member of youth choir in our church. When I'm not in school other youth members and I take part in cleaning the church and its compound and also visit the sick in hospitals and in their homes. What do you usually do?

• This is where I get uncomfortable. These children want so desperately to know what you do in church, what prayers you say, what Bible verses you like to read. It's difficult for someone who does not attend church and doesn't read the Bible to know how to respond!)

Receive greetings from my family member. I'm grateful for you and your support and I pray that God blesses you so much. I will continue praying for you and thank God for giving me a good friend like you. Thank you for your support and may God bless the work of your hands.

Bye.
Yours,
Murugi

A two letter day

Today I received letters from both Eric Wainaina in Kenya and Fred in the Philippines. I will make each a separate entry.

Letter from Fred

Dear Auntie Sykes,

Christian greeting!

Thank you for the star (I sent a big star sticker on one of the letters, congratulating him on his good work in school). Fred was so happy for your appreciation.

We know that you are lonely when Walt and Jeri are not at home. We filipinos have that strong feeling also. We don't like that anybody is away. Thank you for your prayers for our sorrow. (Fred younger sister died last year)

Have you experienced a storm lately? We are experiencing it this week. Please pray for Fred's safety every time he goes to school.

He is learning multiplication and we know the difficulty. He is growing taller and he is becoming more responsible in doing his assignments.

Thank you for your love and support. God bless you!!!

Love,
Mrs Lyra C.
(Fred's mother)

Letter from Wainaina

I don't know whether to call him Eric or Wainaina. I've been calling him the latter, but this letter, the first really long, personal letter I've received from him, is signed "Eric."

Beverly Sykes,

First of all, is much greetings for a long time I haven't written for you a letter. I am happy for your support. God has protected me and our family. My family usually pray for you. I thank God for your prayers.

For now I'm happy for God has answered my prayers of becoming top ten in our exams. How areyou doing? Are you studying like me? I am doing well in home and school. For me, I like participating in many activities, even those that I'm not talented in. But I thank God for what I like doing in my leisure time. He has blessed me with the gift of playing soccer.

I love you for your help and guidance. Here in Kenya there is a lot of drought. animals in Northern Kenya are dying because of hunger. May our prayers be answered because of Kenyans for Kenya initiative to help those who are hungry.

I would like you to read from the book of Psalms 125:1 It says "those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which can never be shaken and can never be moved."