Letter from Wainaina

I was amazed to receive a letter from 14 year old Wainaina, who almost NEVER writes.  He is obviously not a writer, as I can tell from this letter, but it is still nice to hear from him.  Ironically, in this week where we have lost not one but TWO of our good friends, he sends me the psalm that is generally read at funerals.  :(

Dear Beverly Sykes:

First is greetings from me.  I am fine and I believe you are fine too.  For know I am happy because of writing this letter to you.  I hope you and your family are fine.

I am very happy for it.  I am informing you that now our school is a boarding school.  When I am in school, I usually pray for both you and your family so that God may protect you.  In school, I am doing well and my performance is now improving, so I thank God for this.  I am working hard to pas my (?kere?) well.  May God bless you.

Read Psalms 23:1-6

He is, however, a wonderful artist and includes these drawings.

New Kiva Loan

Mlongo Civunde is a married woman in Kenya with two children, both of whom attend school. She owns a house that has neither electricity nor piped water. Her greatest monthly expenses are food, clothing and medical bills.

For the past six years, she has operated a tailoring business, selling from home to her neighbours and passersby. She faces the major challenge of increased prices in her business. Mlongo dreams of expanding her business in the future.

With the Kshs 50,000 loan, she wants to purchase cloth materials for her tailoring business.

Letter from Esther

Dear Beverly Sykes,

I would like to tell you about last year's Christmas.  It was quite impressive for the birth of our Savior were the same as the birth of my pastor's grandchild. We celebrated Christmas and also the birth of a cute little baby of our Pastor.  But, besides the happiness, my grandma's older sibling died.  I was so sad to hear the news.  Maybe, God has a wonderful plan behind all this.

We had a lively New Year's celebration in my town, Salatiga.  I saw very beautiful fireworks, although I saw them in the crowd, I was still able to see them.

I am happy to be able to receive all the letters and photos you have sent me, Beverly.  I thank you for the stickers you have sent me.

Last January, on 27-01-2012, to be exact, I went on a study tour to Bali Island.  That island is very beautiful.  It's even famous all over the world.  Beverly, have you heard of the beauty of Bali Island?  I am happy that I have been there twice.  The very impressive things are the b eauty of nature and its cultures.  Maybe this is what people call as beautiful God's creations. I believe that as I see the nature which I think cute/beautiful -- the beaches as we cn see the huge beautiful nature from the beaches we can also express all we think and feel.

Oh yeah.  I got quite satisfying results in my last exams.  I was grateful to be able to get 6th rank in my class. Beverly, did you ever get any rank in your class?

Beside that I had a quite good grade in red cross class in my school report.  I only got B.  I will try to get B next time.  From the red cross class I learn many things like helping accident victims and natural disaster victims and many more.  I make all of these skills if there is a little accident, etc. which needs a help.

Many things make me laugh when I think they are funny.  We have a blood donor at my school.  In fact, I want to participate but I am still afraid of getting hurt.  I only coordinate snacks and drinks for the donors and medical officers.  Please pray for this to go well.

I will write you again in some other time.  I send my love to you.  God  bless

Letters from Fred

Two letters from Fred, one written by his father and one a form filled out by Fred himself.  For the letter:

Dear Auntie Sykes,

Christian Greetings!

We are so thankful that we could write to you.  I am Fred's father, Mr. Frederick Cardinal.  Thank you for the family gift we received.  We received an amount of 1,079.50.  We bought new clothes and groceries.  The children have new clothes to wear at church.  We are so happy for the foods.  Thank you for your goodness.  Please pray that we will be protected from danger, especially Fred.

Love,
Mr. Frederick Cardinal
(Fred's Father)

There was this drawing by Fred:

The second letter contained a form with multiple choice answers where sponsors can learn more about their child's living situation.  Fred's answers show that:

My house is made of bamboo, palm frond and wood
I get water from a well
In my house I sleep on a bed
I help in the house by cleaning the house
I have electricity in the house.
My house is 0.5 km away from the center.


He drew this picture

He added the following note:

Dear Sponsor.  I love you.

Sponsor, thank you so much for the dragonball that you gave me.