Letter from Theresa

Dated November 23, 2012

This is another check-off page, because Theresa is so young.

My favorite food is rice and stew, Banku and Okra stew.

My favoritecolor is red

My favorite sport is ampe (this is a game popular in Ghana.  These are the rules: The leader, or "it", and another player jump up at the same time, clap, and thrust one foot forward when they jump up. If the leader and the other player have the same foot forward the leader wins a point. If they are different then the other player become "it" and plays against the remaining players. If the players are in a circle, the "it" moves along the inside of the circle, playing against others in turn. If they are in a line, the "it" moves on down the line. If only two players are playing, they keep score until a certain number of points determines a winner.)

 My favorite friend is Martha and Gijamah.

Things happening in the family:  a new birth (this was a surprise to me!  I must get more information!)

Thank you for your pictures.

Child's prayer request:S  Theresa says pray for her to get strength.

Theresa and Martha play ampe in front f her house every day after school. 

Letter from Josphat

Dated Octber 27, 2012

This the kind of "check-off" kind of letter that young children send to their sponsors.

My name is Josphat.

In my house I sleep on a mat.

I get food from a shop.

My house is made of wood.  It has an earthen floor and a tin roof.  I do not have electricity in my house.  I wash my clothes in a bucket.

The report from his representative states:

Josphat is greeting you and your family in Jesus name.  He is so much glad for the letters and pictures you send to him.  He says that the thing he likes best in school is academic, since he found himself reading most of the time.  He says he loves you so much and requests for prayers.

Letter from Wainaina

Dated November 12, 2012

Dear Beverly Sykes,

First of all is much greetings from me.  I hope that you and your family are all well.  My first thing is to thank you for the letters that I have received.  I also thank the most high God for giving me strength to serve him.  I hope that you and your family are well and you are enjoying living in God's word.

I and my family are still doing fine.  I hope that you are still praying for me as I do, asking God to protect you and your family from the evil.

In school, I am performing well.  I am studying as hard as I can.  Pray for me to perform well in my K.C.P.E. (Kenya certificate of Primary Education) in this year.  I thank God for putting us together as friends from different countries.  May God live in your life forever, Amen. 

Letter from Murugi

Dated November 2012

Greetings in Jesus Name!

I am well in the Lord.  Are you fine too?  I am very happy for the many letters I have received from you.  How is Ned faring?  I have been praying for a quick recovery.  (Not sure what that means!)

It's great to have a great family as that of yours where you have many generations meeting once in a while to make merry.

I was happy to hear that your mother celebrated her 93rd birthday.  This is great and we give thanks to God.

I received the letter with my photo as you had asked in your last letter to me.  I realized I look beautiful, as you mentioned, and I gave thanks to God.  You all look beautiful too.

I am excited to hear how you take care for the less fortunate people and givethem fod.  This is how God expects me to be kind to his people.  Keep up the good work.  I always thank God for you and ask him to meet all the desires of your heart.

I am preparing to celebrate Christmas by serving the old people.  I will visit them and assist them with work at their homes.  I will also go to Church and after my service I wish you well and thanks for being a wonderful friend.

Your loving friend,
Dorvin Murugi

Letter from Emmanuella

This is dated 11/2/2012

Dear Beverly--

I thank you for all your letters, pictures and your words of encouragement.  God bless you.

No, I have not eaten cherry before.  Yes, Istill remember my poem, "I wish for Peace in Africa" (she took me literally when I asked her if she still remembered it--I was hoping she would share it with me!)

At project I am part of the culture dance and we perform during the inauguration of our dining hall.

Question for my sponsor:  How old is Brianna?

I pray that God will bless Lacie and let her grow up to be a good girl.  I want you to pray for my parents' business to go on well.

Letter(s) from Esther

There were two letters from Esther in Indonesia, both dated the same date, October 8, 2012.  Not sure why there are two, but they were very nice to receive.

To Beverly Sykes,

I thank God for his blessings, which flow over on us.  I was happy to receive the gift from you, Susan Jane Hagelstein Memrial.  I spent it on new clothes.  My 17th birthday was different from the last ones.  It's because I had many new things to do.  Seems at age 17, things are more difficult.  I'll do the exams, to.  Please pray for me to do the exams well. 

God bless you.  Sweet regards.  Thank you for the gift.

And now for letter #2

To Beverly Sykes,

I really thank you and because He loves and protects me until I am 17 now.  Because of His grace I can grow well.  I hope that I'll be more mature and be closer to God, be a useful child for parents and nation, more diligent to study. 

I love reading.  I usually read novels. 

What did you feel when you were at 17?  I think at 17 we get some changes.

Thank you for the letter, the photo and the stickers which you've sent for me.  May God bless you always.

Thank you from Fred

What a great letter I received from Fred today, thanking me for his birthday gift, which he used to buy a basketball.  I've been hoping he could get a basketball since he loves the sport so much.  The nicest thing  was that the letter came with a great photo.

 Dear Auntie Sykes:

Christian greetings!

Hi!  Thank you for your letter and stickers.  My height now is 127.5 cm and I weigh 22.4 kg.  The baby in my mother's tummy is bigger now.  My father is still not here because he is on vacation.  I never ate cherry.  We have more durian here.  Do you like to eat durian?

In our school I like to learn more about places.

Belated happy birthday to your son.  Briana and Lacie are beautiful. 

Please pray that I will be far from accident in our school.  Also, for my mother's delivery. 

God bless you!

I received an amount of 1,071.50.  I bought chess board, more clothes and basketball.  I wore the clothes when I go to church.  Thank you.

Love,
Fred

Meet Miché

I received a packet about Miché today.  He is a new correspondence child, to replace Somai, who lost his sponsor. 

Miché is from Haiti.  He is 10 years old and lives with both parents.  His job duties include carrying water and caring for animals.  His father is sometimes employed as a farmer and his mother is sometimes employed as a seller at the market.  There are six children in the family.

Soccer, playing with marbles and playing group games are Miché's favorite activities.  In primary school his performance is above average (the first of my children ever to be above average in school) and he also attends church activities and Bible class.

I look forward to getting to know him better.

A Thank You from Anjali

I got a nice thank you letter from Anjali for the money I sent for her birthday.  This little girl has grown SO much from when I first began to sponsor her.  Then she was very somber and sober and I just love the smile on her face now.

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Greetings.  I bought cooker and iron box with the birthday gift which I received in the month of August 2012.  Cooker save the gas and time.  This is essential for my family.  Iron box is using to keep my dresses in iron and neat.

My family members are very happy about this gift.  They send their regards to you and your family members.  I thank you for your loving gifts.

Your lovingchild
M. Anjali