Letter from Emmanuella

Dear Beverly Sykes,

I thank you for the letters, pictures and prayers.

The name of my class teacher is Mr. Aanso.  We are 21 pupils in my class.  We wear uniforms to school and the colour of our uniform is orange and cream.  My best subject is science.  I am now learning bead making

How is your work going?

I pray that God will bless you and your family.  Pray that God will bless me and my family.

Memory verse:  Romans 3:23.  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Letter from Henrique

Dated 10/24/13

Hello, dear sponsor Beverly,

How are you?  I am doing well.  This year here I am in 1st grade, my favorite subject is sciences.  Answering your letter, I can ride bike and my favorite color is red too.

Kisses,

Luiz Henrique

New Kiva Loan

 

 Janet is a twenty-nine-year-old married woman with two children, living in Kasese, Uganda. She sells cosmetics and she started the business after realizing that the meager salary that she earns as a teacher can hardly meet her family's needs. Inadequate capital and the high cost of rent are her major challenges, while her dream is to trade in wholesale. Janet intends to use the loan to buy cosmetics to sell. 

I chose this loan because my Compassion daughter Shallon recently gave up a year of education, preparing to be a teacher, because she needed to earn money to help her sister, who was sick...so she went into the cosmetics business.  I felt Janet needed encouragement.  (And Shallon will return to her studies to be a teacher)

New Kiva Loan

Adding to my cattle herd in Kyrgyzstan.

Elmira is 44 years old, married, and raising three children with her husband. She has a specialized-secondary education and is involved in animal husbandry, an activity which provides her family with its main source of income. She started in this business 16 years ago with the purchase of livestock for 20,000 som (KGS).

Thanks to Elmira's hard work, her farming business now comprises two dairy cows and ten sheep. She makes a monthly income of 5,000 som (KGS).

In order to further develop her animal husbandry business, Elmira has turned to the microfinance bank "Bai Tushum & Partners" and requested a loan of 80,000 som (KGS). She will use this loan to buy some cows for breeding.

Elmira plans to re-invest some of her profits back into her business by purchasing additional livestock. She is also planning to save enough money to buy a car.

THREE Letters

I received letters from three of my kids today.  It was a banner day!

 FROM Luiz Henrique in Brasil

This is a check off sheet where I learn that he wants to be a policeman, he would like to go to Paraiba, he wants to help his parents buy a car, he would like to celebrate his birthday with a party, he would like to meet me because he thinks I am nice.

Under the section "Questions to my sponsor" he asks "do you have any dog?"  (Apparently he never reads my letters!!!)  He also includes this drawing:

(The thing on the left looks like it might be a fire, so I'm wondering if this is a camping scene)

FROM Samuel in Kenya

Another check off sheet where I learn that the thing he likes to do best with his friends is play.  The game he likes best is football, the work he likes best is looking after cattle.  What he likes best about the project is playing.  The subject he likes best in school is mathematics.  His favorite teacher is Miss Lydia.  The place he likes to visit best is Mombasa City and what he likes to do best with his family is playing together.

His case worker writes a "message to my sponsor."

Receive much greetings from your friend Samuel.  He says that he is so happy to write to you today.  He is so grateful for the letters you send to him.  He says that he is fine.  His family is fine too.  He wants to thank you for your support towards his life.  May the Lord bless you today and forever.  Goodbye!

FROM Wainaina in Kenya (who is 16 and writes in English)

Hello!  I greet you in the name of the Lord.  How are you?  I hope you are doing well.  How about your family?  There is another joy God has granted to us.  I'm praying so hard for you and your family to be saved.  I'm doing well in school and at home.  I live near the school where I learn.  It is about 1/4 km from where I live.  It is a mixed day school and no boarding.  I enjoy being in school with my friends.  My teacher's names are as follows:  Mr. Francis, Mrs. Kupere, Mr. Artan, Mr. Gathanga and Madam Mercy.  In lour class we are about 50 pupils in one class that is form one.  In our school we wear uniform, according to the rules of the school.  We don't wear the way we want.

Thanks you for your letter.  May God bless you.

Read Isaiah 54:17

Letter from Shallon

Dear my mother in Christ, Beverly Sykes.

Let me take this opportunity to say hey to you, my mother and friend.  I thankGodfor the life you have and I praise God.

I pray that I keep on communicating with you through letters.  In the last letter I wrote to you I told you that I joined vocational school in salon and hair dressing because in second term my sister was sick and there was no one who could take care of her.  So I will go back to school next term such that I can add on my studies and become a teacher.

We are in dry season.  All trees are shedding off their beautiful leaves.  We are planting beans but the seeds are going to be dormant because of heavy sunshine.

I am sending my regards to Ned, Lacie, Brianna and your friends.  I want to send you a versee in the Bible.  It is in Daniel, Chapter 4:2:3

It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.

 How great are his signs,
    how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
    his dominion endures from generation to generation.

I will continue to praise God because he is merciful and loving to me.  Let me wish that you have a wonderful day.  I love you.

Yours, 

Shallon

Letter from Anjali

This is the longest letter written by Anjali, and I am amazed by the observations she shares (which are sometimes difficult to read because of her handwriting).

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  I am fine here.  I hope same with you.  I received your letters.  I am very happy to read your letters.  I saw your photos.  Your photos are very beautiful.

My future dream is to become a doctor.  I would like to do helping poor peoples. 

I like coloring books.  I am very happy that I am studying 5th grade. My studies are very well.  My family members? [she doesn't follow through with that question!]  We are in rainy season,  The weather is cool. In this season we have many fruits like apple, pomogranate, corn, etc.

We are going to celebrate our 67th Independence day on the 15th of August in our state.  There are three regions.  Now our state government divided into two parts.  One is telangana and the other one is seemandhra.  Now the entire seemandhra people doing protests against the governmeent for the purpose.  We are not agree to divide the state because we are all talking Telugy.  Please pray for my state.

How is your country weather?

Please pray for my health, studies, and my family members. 

I and my family members going to church every Sunday.  I remember you and your family members in my daily prayers. My family members also praying for you and your family members.  Thank you for your supporting.

Your loving child,

M. Anjali

Letter from Fred

My heart skipped a beat when I saw this letter from Fred, because I have not had official information about him and his family following the typhoon.  But then I saw that it was dated September 27, 2013, when nobody knew what horror was about to descend on his country.

Dear Auntie Sykes,

Christian Greetings!

Thank you for the birthday gift that you gave me.  I received an amount of 1,032.25 [in Philippine currency].  I bought biscuits, clothes and a watch.  I wear my clothes when I go to church.

Please pray that my family will be more faithful in church.  Thank you for everything.  God bless you.

Love,
Fred

...and you, too, little Fred.  Be well.

Letter from Miché

Dated 9/16/2013

Dear Beverly Sykes,

I'm pleased to write to you today in Jesus' name, the Almightly.  How are your activities?  I'm very well, thanks to God.  I was glad to get your letters and photos.  On my birthday, I and my family always get together to eat together.  My favorite subject is math.  Yes, I have more than one goat.  I usually milk them.

All my brothers and sisters are older than me.  I don't know that Bible story.  I like the hot weather.  Thanks for the letters, the information, and the great scriptures you sent me.

May God bless you!

Letter from Anjali

Anjali is now writing her own letters in English, but because of some problems with English it's not easy to always know what she is writing, though she prints very clearly.  She seems to leave out verbs and punctuation, for one thing!  But this is what it looks like she is saying in this letter (which I love for its length!)

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Greetings to you in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.  I have received 4 letters from you.  I am very happy.  Our project staff explained [thileten] (she printed that word very clearly,but I don't know what she meant to say!) How are you.  How is your work.  Belated many many happy returns of the birthday to you.  I pray for your happy life.  Family photo is very nice and beautiful.  Thank you for your mail letters.  Our mail letter [deieveled] twor three days in our country.  Letters also.

Brianna birthday cake is very beautiful.  All one fine all photes one fine. Brianna is very very beautiful.  I don't know Pinata, computer.  Postman gives letters in our church. Christening baptism also same our church.  Congregation sang this song deva shisumala the chithime.

Thank you for all information.  I am very happy to write this letter.  My family also fine.  Promoted 5th grade project game.  Notebooks project staff also fine project conducted children in prayer.  All children divided groups. Pray for prayer request.  I pray for you and your family once that you for your letters.  I am very happy.  Thank you for your love, concern and support.

Your loving child,

M. Anjali

Letter from Josphat

Here is the form letter from Josphat about weather in Kenya

The season now is  Rainy

It is now cold

Around this time the farmers are planting.

When the weather is sunny I like to play

When the weather is rainy I like to shelter.

My favorite kind of weather is sunny.

On my last birthday the weather was sunny.

Last Christmas the weather was sunny.

There follows a Message to my sponsor

Receive much greetings from your child sponsor. He is doing well with his family.  He says that he loves you and your family.  He says that he is much glad for the letters he received.  He says they planted in their garden and are about to have a plenty harvest.  He asks whether you have Compassion in your states and also he requests for prayers from you so that God will continue blessing them.  "Goodbye," he adds.

Letter from Fred

Dear Auntie Sykes,

Christian Greetings!

I like our Division Achievement Test in school.  My favorite subject is math and I got 26 scores out of 30 items.  My schooling is fine.   What was your favorite subject when you are still a student?

Please pray that I will be more intelligent.  My health is OK now.

Thank you for your letters and pictures.  Brianna and Lacie are growing.  Thank you for praying for me.

God bless you!

Love,
Fred C.

Form Letter from Henrique

 

This form tells me he wakes up at 6 a.m., has breakfast and lunch at home. Everyday he reviews his studies, and before bed he reads the Bible and talks to God.  His favorite day of the week is Friday.  He includes a Bible passage, "the Lord is my shepherd, I lack for nothing."and ends with May God bless you.  This is pretty much the same thing I get from him each month.  I wish there were a little something personal in it, after sponsoring him for all this time.

New Kiva Loan

Mirzaim is a 62-year-old widow from Kyrgyszstan. Following the death of her husband, she alone raises her 6 children and tends to her farm. She has a high school education, and the brunt of her income comes from raising livestock, having started 10 years ago with 12,000 somoni worth of animals. Thanks to her persistent efforts, her farm currently has 1 dairy cow, 1 bull, and 1 calf. Her monthly income is 8,000 somoni. To further develop her farm, Mirzaim is seeking a loan in the amount of 120,000 somoni from Bai Tushum & Partners to buy more cows for her farm. She plans to reinvest the additional income that the loan will allow her to buy even more livestock.

I admit to choosing her because she has a nice face--and I LOVED the cow!

Final letter from Esther

Esther is now 18.  She's from Indonesia and I have been writing to her since February of 2010.  She was one of my best letter writers, and I will miss her, but I am happy to know that she has completed the program and is starting her adult life.

Dear Beverly,

I thank Beverly for giving a lot of impressions and good messages to me, for the help, attention, gifts and prayers all this time.  I just want to say goodbye to Beverly because I'll depart from Project now.  My goal after the departure from Project is to work to help my parents and siblings.  There are actually a lot of benefit I get from Project.  Project activity now really helps the progress of teens nowadays indeed, to educate and to create in any field.

I hope Beverly understands my decision.  I ask for support and prayer for this future ahead, that God always be with me on every step I take.  On the contrary, I'll always pray for you and the family there.  I won't ever forget all your kindness.

God bless and be with you always.

New Kiva Loan

Maria Danelia is 51, married and has 3 grown children. She lives in a community in the department of Chinandega in the western part of the Nicaragua. She is the owner and administrator of several business which include: cutting up pork, sales of chicken and mass consumption products like rice, sugar, beans, oil, candy, bread, vegetables, detergents, etc. She also sells milk products and offers delicious curds, cheese, boronas [a type of bread], and sour milk [a milk product similar to buttermilk]. Maria Daniela has had this business for more than 19 years and makes her purchases from distributors. In addition, on weekends she sells pork that is already cut up as well as her delicious nacatamales, for which she is well-known. One of her dreams is to enable her little granddaughter to get a good education and to be able to have a higher income. The objective of this loan is to invest it in working capital, principally in wholesale chicken.

Letter from Samuel

27th July 2013

The season is now dry.  It is now cold.  Around this time the farmers are harvesting.  When the weather is sunny, I like to play. When the weather is rainy I like to sleep.  My favorite kind of weather is sunny.  On my last birthday the weather was sunny.  Last Christmas the weather was rainy.

"How are you?"  Samuel asks.  He says that he is doing well.  He asks how you are doing?  He is thanking and appreciating you for the letter you sent.  He says that his family is well and that during his free time he plays soccer with his friends.  He wishes that one day you will meet each other.  He's thanking you for your love, kindness, support upon his life and your being there.  You have really his life positively.  May the Lord God Almighty reward and bless you richly.

Letter from Luis Henrique

(no date)

In the first part of the letter, he checks off information about the climate of Brasil:

* In the city where I live the weather is usually cold during the winter.
* In the winter, my city (June, July, August) is hot and it doesn't rain
* I prefer all types of weather
* When the weather is sunny I like to play in the street
* When the weather is rainy I like to play indoors
* As I write this letter, the weather is hot and sunny

What is your favorite type of weather?

Dear Beverly,

How are you?  I am Lucilia, the Project Monitor, and I am writing on behalf of Luiz Henrique.  He is a healthy, happy and very active child who makes friends easily.  He also likes birthdays very much.  He thought it was really cool to learn what a pinata is.  Here in Brasil we have the custom of hanging up an enormous balloon filled with sweets and candy and the children have to burst it so that everything falls to the ground.  The children have loads of fun.

We hope to hear more news from you soon.  We are very happy about your love for Luiz Henrique.  We ask that you pray for Luiz and his family.

Affectionately, Lucilia, on behalf of Luiz Henrique.

Letter from Miché

29 / 07 / 2013

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Hello.  How are you?  This is a pleasure for me to write to you this letter.  How are your activities going?  My whole family is very well, thanks to God.  They are not sick.

I wish that God make me have a good vacation.  I play soccer.  I am part of a team to go playing in another area.

I  thank you for your prayers.  I am glad to see the picture of your granddaughter that is dancing.  The pictures you have enclosed are very beautiful.  I was glad to get the pictures and the letter where they were dancing the dance that Lacie llikes.

I have succeeded in school.  I will be in Grade 5 with happy heart.

Are all your families all right?  Aren't they sick?  I help you pray and you will help me to pray for my school.  I pray that you have a good vacation.  May God bless you.

Letter from Emmanuella

21st August 2013

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Thank you for the letters and prayers.  God bless you.

Child's response to sponsor's questions:
No, I don't know anything about fog.
We are 19 pupils in my class.
Yes, I like reading.
Yes, I like reading to younger people.
The story I like reading is Cinderella the orphan.

Child's new experiences at Project/Home/School/Community, etc.
I was promoted to J.H.S. (1) one and I am very happy.

Question for my sponsor
What are the names of your friends?

Prayer for my sponsor
I pray that God will bless you and your family.

Prayer request from child
Pray that God will give me wisdom and understanding.

Memory verse
Psalm 25:2.  To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.  In you I trust, O my God.  Do not let me put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.  Amen.

Letter from Fred

June 11, 2013

Dear Auntie Sykes.

Christian Greetings!

I wasso happy for the bonfire during the camp.  I like the stories and the food.  I will be in fourth grade.  I like to carry my younger brother.  I like to know how many are in your home?

Please pray that my sibling will be fine.

Thank you for everything.  My schooling is fine.  Thank you for your pictures.  You look all alike.

Belated happy birthday!  I hope that you are very happy.

I thank that you love me even I'm far from you. 

May I learn a lot.

Thank you for everything.  Thank you for my new uniform and school supplies.  God bless you!

Love,
Fred

Letter from Leniel

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Hello!  May God bless you so much!  How are you?  I am very well and thank you for every one of your letters and for being my sponsor!  I ask you to pray for my mom and my grandma.  What is your favorite bible verse?  Blessings!

Love, Leniel

Letter from Wainaina

August 10,  2013

Dear Beverly Sykes,

"Hello, Miss Beverly Sykes."

I hope you and also your family are really doing well at home.  Me and also my family are doing good.  I still remember and pray for you and your family as you do to me.  I also thank you for the gifts you send to me.

Here in our Compassion we are preparing for our ball games which are starting on the 12th of this month.  And I hope this season we are going to take over the championship.  It has been a wonderful time f or us practicing the games that we are practicing.  And I am not a very good fan at baseball.

Here in Kenya it has been very cold since last month and I hope very soon it might change to normal degrees.

At home we live together as a family but not separate with my brothers and the little sister of ours.

The bible tells us that our bodies are the temple of God, therefore we must be honest and patient about God's plan to us.  But not what our minds tell us  to do.

I received your letters and they were so nice to me.  When I read them and aso the photos that you send about Briana's graduation.  I hope you a lucky day as mine.  May God be with you all the times.

Letter from Josphat

My latest "fill in the blanks" letter from Josphat tells me about his "Project Learning."  It is dated 7/22/13

My favorite thing I have learned in my project is to respect God.  About friendship, I have learned to sacrifice for my friends. About taking care of my body I have learned to wear clean clothes. About being polite and kind, I have learned to appreciate each other.  About my home area, I have learned the common food people eat is Ugalo (corn meal).  I have learned that some of the jobs people do are digging.  To learn about cleanliness we should wash our clothes daily.

In his "Message to my sponsor" Josphat writes:

Much regards from your sponsored child Josphat.  He says he is doing fine together with his family.  Josphat says the weather in his home place is rainy and that they have started harvesting crops like peas and beans.  He says you are always in his prayers always.  He ends by saying thank you and that God bless you abundantly.

Meet Banesa

It was with a heavy heart that I received the news that I would no longer be corresponding with Esther, from Indonesia.  But it was for a good reason.  She had aged out of the program, had graduated from school, and now has a job.  She is going to be writing me a goodbye letter, and I wrote one to her.

The Compassion rep asked if I would like another child to write to, and of course I said yes.  So I just received the information on Banesa, who is 11 years old and from the Dominican Republic.

She is one of five children and she loves to play with dolls and to sing.

She runs errands for her parents (both of whom are employed), and fetches water.  Most of my compassion children have the task of carrying water, even the tiny one, which lets us know the problem of water in third world countries, where the water source is usually polluted, but the only place where they can get water.

I look forward to getting to know Banesa over the coming months.

New Kiva Loan

Agnes is a 57-years-old woman from Ndunyu Njeru (Kenya) and is married with small children. Agnes has a farming business that she has been doing for the past 23 years and has applied for her second loan from KADET Ltd. She will use the money to buy fertilizers and seedlings. She is optimistic that her business will do better after this loan. She hopes to expand her business in the near future.

Letter from Theresa

This is a check-off letter titled "About Me."
It is dated 22/07/2013.
Theresa is 6.

1. My name means   Theresa means love   

2. I am the last child in the family.

3. I am 108 centimeters tall.

4. My weight is 17.5 kg.

5. The colour of my hair is black.

6. The colour of my eye is black.

7. When I grow up I want to be a teacher.

8. One thing I really do well is singing.

9. Thanks for your words of encouragement, pictures, stickers, sponsorship and letters.

Theresa wants you to pray for her to be humble.

Theresa has six brothers and two sisters and she is the 9th and last born of her parents.  Theresa and her family are fine.  She says she like colouring and she does every time she comes/attends project meeting and sometimes at school.  The new birth in her family was a new baby who has been born by her aunty.

Theresa's self portrait

Letter from Briana

Briana's center was in danger of being dropped by Compassion, but whatever the difficulties were, they have been resolved and I received a letter from her today.

22/07/2013

Dear Beverly Sykes,

It's a great pleasure for me to write you.  How are you and your activities?  Here, I am going welll, thanks to God.  My mom always wakes me up to go to school.  First I review my lessons, comb my hair, take a shower, have my breakfast, and then go to school.  My days are always wonderful, thanks to God.

Yes, I like eating cherries but some are sweet and some are sour.

I got a pass mark of 7 out of 10 at school.  I took my Comprehensive final exams of elementary school.  I am waiting or the results so that I'll be promoted to 7th grade.  Please pray for me that God give more intelligence and patience in everything I do.  And I'll be praying for you, that God bless you in abundance.

Your daughter,
Luma Briana

Letter from Leniel

There is another check-off letter from Leniel, from the Dominican Republic.  (click on graphic to enlarge)

 

There was a note on the back from Leniel:

Hello Dear Beverly Sykes:

May God Bless you much; how are you?  I am fine and thank you for your letters.  I don't know who dark side is because I haven't seen star wars but I would love to.  I ask you to pray for me.

Leniel

Letter from Henrique

Today I had a check-off letter from Henrique telling me about his community, where I learned he lives outside the downtown area, lives with his mother, father and siblings, the houses on his street are made of brick, mud and straw.  The most common type of transportation in his neighborhood is bicycle and on foot.  And what he likes best about his community is having a place to play and his Project (The Compassion project).  He asks what my favorite color is.

He also included this drawing, which seems to represent a happy child.  Of course he's happy--he's Brasilian!

Letter from Theresa

This was another of the check-off forms for little kids.  This one concerns the weather.  It is dated 13 June 2013.

1. We have two seasons in Ghana, namely the rainy season and the dry season.

2. Right now the weather is wet.

3. When the weather is sunny, I like to rest and cook with friends

4.  My favorite weather condition is hot.

5.  One thing I like about the weather condition is Theresa spends much time with her grandmother at the kitchen during the dry season.

She thanks me for words of encouragement, pictures, sponsorship and prayers.

I would like you to know more about my weather
The rainy season starts in March and ends in October every year.

Child's response to sponsor question(s).
Theresah usually has a birthday party or a birthday gift and song for her birthday celebration.  She says happy belated birthday.  Theresah gets her mails on Saturdays at the project centre where names of children who have received mails are mentioned and their mails given to them at assembly.  She really loves everything about your letters.

Update on Agatha

I made a Kiva loan to Agatha, a bread baker in Ghana, in February.  This is the first time Kiva has sent me an update on one of my sponsees.

Agatha makes and sells bread. She has been operating this business for 15 years. Before the loan, Agatha reported she was buying ingredients on credit and the price was very high. However, since the loan, she is now able to buy ingredients at a lower price and her profit has increased.

She is married to supermarket supervisor and together they have 5 children.

Agatha is finishing her 2nd cycle and states she has no real struggles or challenges. She is very proud she has been able to save and buy little things for her house. One day, Agatha will use her savings to support her business.

She is thankful to KIVA for giving her this great opportunity!

Letter from Emmanuella

 Letter dated 6/26/13

Dear Beverly,

Thank you for the letters you have sent me.

I don't know anything about pinatas and we receive letters in my town once a month.  In the cities, letters are delivered to their houses but here in my town we go to the post office to pick it up.  At Project they mention names and give them out.

Yes, I like the pictures you attach to my letters and I felt excited when I receive your letters.

I am now good at solving math questions.

How are your parent doing?

I pray that God will bless Lacie and Brianna.

Pray that God will bless my family and my country.

Memory verse:  Psalm 23:1  The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Emmanuella

Letter from Samuel

This may be the quickest I've ever received a "first letter."  The front side of the letter is one of those check-off pages, the back side a little note.

 

Receive much greetings from your friend, Samuel.  He says that he is doing great and that he is happy to write to you today.

He says that he loves to go to Sunday School and to the projects, where he learns more about God.  He asks "do you go to church?" and he asks "What do you do?"

He asks you to pray for him to grow with the love of God.

Letter from Briana

I have had word that Briana's center may be disconnected from Compassion, so it was nice to receive this letter...things still well, at least for now!

5/13/13

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Briana greets you in the Living God's name.  How are you and your family?  She and her family are fine.  She hopes you're all fine in Jesus' name.

She's fine, thanks to God.  She thanks you for the gift you sent her.  She will keep praying for you all and asks you not to forget to pray for her too.

She'll soon raise the final comprehensive exam of elementary school, pray to God for her to pass it.

She asks you to say hello to Brianna from her and she asks about your dog.  She asks you to always stay with Jesus.  She hopes to hear from you soon, God willing.

Thanks!

This letter was written by her father for Briana.

Letter from Miche

Dear Beverly Sykes,

I am letting you know that I am doing well, praise God.  How are you and your activities doing?  I was glad to receive your letter and the picture.  You were sitting on a chair and wearing a red dress.  I saw the people in the party.  I always invite my friends and my family in for my birthday to celebrate with me.

Yes, I like receiving your letter and your picture.  Yes, you may send me more pictures.

I had a great Flag Day celebration on May 18.  What do you like to do in your life?  I like to go to church and to school.  I go to church every Sunday.  We celebrate Mother's Day on the last Sunday of May every year.

May God bless you.

A letter from me!

There are Compassion sponsors who have been sharing letters that they have written to their children.  I wrote one today to two of our 14 kids, two girls who are older and who have long hair.  I figured the girls from Africa couldn't really relate to this!  I have sponsored both girls for a very long time.  In fact, Anjali is the first child I sponsored.

Letter from Wainaina

Dear Beverly Sykes,

I'm so happy for this wonderful day that God has brought me and my family. I greet you in the name of the Lord.  How are you?  I hope that you are okay with your family.  I'm so proud of you for the letters that you have been sending to me.  I still pray for you every day I go to sleep and in the morning.  Do you really remember me as I do?  Are you and your family in good health?

Here in Kenya we have been experiencing cold every day since last month. 

I feel so happy when I remember you.  Have a good and enjoyable life.  May God bless you.

Letter from Josphat

This is one of those fill-in forms, this one about his friends.

Some of my friends are Madarake, Saidinou, Leo

Activities I do with my friends:  playing, running

My friends do go to school with me.

My best friend is Leo

He is 7 yrs.  My best friend is special because he is kind.

I met my best friend at our village.  My best friends does not go to the project with me.

There follows a note from Josphat's project worker:

Receive much greetings from your sponsored Josphat.  He says he is well together with his siblings.  He greatly appreciates you for supporting him and also for the beautiful letters that you have been sending to him.  He tells you that he loves them and enjoys hearing from you.  He informs you that he is progressing well with school but he is on holiday.  He tells you that it is raining and that they have planted maize and beans.  He tells you that he loves you and he ends by saying bye!

Josphat draws pictures each time and seems to really really like helicopters, since he draws them every time!

Letter from Shallon

My lovely Beverly Sykes,

Let me take this opportunity to thank God who has given me this golden chance to talk to you through this letter.

I thank you for the letters you sent to me.  I send my prayers to you and your family.

I send my love to you and your friends.  Tell your friends that I love them.

It is wonderful to see you replying my letters.  I thank you very much.

I hope that baby Lacie and Brianne are fine.

We are still in wet season.  Trees are shedding off their beautiful leaves.

We are not planting anything because the rainfall is too much.  My friends are greeting you in the name of Jesus Christ.  My friend and I request you to give me more information about Ned because Ned is a good musician.

I want to  send you a verse in the bible.  It is from Psalms, Chapter 130:7.  It says "Trust in the Lord.  The Lord is the one who is faithful and true."

How is your legs?  Are you fine?  I wish to see babies Brianna and Lacie.  If you don't mind you can send me their photos.

Let me stop here.

Yours faithfully,
Shallon

New Kiva Loan

 

The choice for this loan was a no brainer...her name is Karen, my sister's name (my sister's birthday would have been this week) and she lives in the Philippines, where my Compassion child, Fred, lives.

Karen is a 55-year-old mother who was gifted with only one child. Since farming is the main source of their living, she supported her husband in managing their rice-farming business to ensure a high production. They aimed to increase their production and income to satisfy their necessities and save some for future emergencies. Due to insufficient capital, Karen is asking for an additional of PHP 50,000 to buy the fertilizers and insecticides needed to sustain their rice production. She is hoping that her loan request will be granted in order to improve their rice farming business.

Meet Lovson

Lovson is a 15 year old boy from Haiti, who is my latest correspondence child.

He lives with his father and his mother.  He is responsible for carrying water, buying or selling in the market, and gardening.  His father is sometimes employed and his mother is sometimes employed as a seller in the market.  There are 5 children in the family.

Soccer, singing and playing with marbles are Lovson's favorite activities.  in high school his performance is above average and he also regularly attends church activities, youth group, and camp.

Lovson lives in the mountainous community of Anse-a-Foleur, home to approximately 27,000 residents.  Typical houses are constructed of cement and have corrugated iron roofs.  The primary ethnic group and language is Creole.

Haiti occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean.  It is one of the most densely populated and poorest countries in the world. Most Haitians are subsistence farmers who cultivate small plots of land around their mud-and-thatch homes.  Most speak Creole, but their official lanuage is French.

In 1492, Columbus discovered Hispaniola and the island became the center of Spanish rule in the West Indies.  The indigenous people were quickly wiped out and slaves were brought from Africa to populate the island.  Slaves initiated a rebellion in 1791 and by 1803 they had succeeded in ending not just slavery but French control over the colony and achieved independence.  Forty years later, the eastern part of the island split off to form the Dominican Republic.

Meet Samuel

Now that my mother has moved into Independent Living, I was able to cancel her LifeLine, since the place where she lives has its own system, which is included with her rent.  So that gave me $50 more a month and I decided to sponsor another child.

It took about 2 seconds for me to choose Samuel.  With his oversized head and distended stomach, he looked like a little Yoda and I could not resist him.  I want to see what a difference Compassion can make in his life.

Samuel lives with his father and mother.  He is responsible for gardening.  His father is sometimes employed as a laborer and his mother is sometimes employed as a farmer.  There are 5 children in the family. 

Soccer is Samuel's favorite activity.  In kindergarten his performance is average and he also regularly attends church activities.

He lives on the plains of Kasyalani, home to approximately 3,000 residents.  Typical houses are constructed of dirt floors, mud walls and thatched rofs.  The regional diet consists of maize, millet and cow peas.

Common health problems in this area include malaria and typhoid.  Most adults in Kasayalani are unemployed but some work as subsistence farmers and earn the equivalent of $25 per month.  This community needs polytechnic institutions and improved agriculture methods training.

Letter & Photo from Emmanuella

I received this beautiful photo from Emmanuella today.

 

This is a thank you for the backpack she got for Christmas, I think, though the letter does not include a thank you. But my God is this a beautiful photo.  With her head shaved and the hint of a smile, I think it brings out how beautiful her eyes are.

Here is the letter (dated 5/5/13) that accompanies this photo:

Dear Beverly,

Thank you for the letters, pictures and words of encouragement you gave me.  I am very glad to have you.  I wish you happy birthday, Beverly!  Yes, I can identify you in the picture.  You are in the black t-shirt.  My mother prepare sweet pastries, e.g., cake, meat pie and rough barns. (I'm not sure what "rough barns" are!  I had asked how her family celebrates birthdays)

I was 6th in my class exams this term.

How old is your father now?

I pray that God will give you everlasting life.

Pray that God will give my parent wisdom to take care of me.

Romans 6:23:  For the wages of sin is death but the gifts of God is eternal in Christ Jesus, Our Lofd.

Letter from Henrique

Finally a Letter from Miche!

I say "finally" and add an "!" because I sponsored this kid about eight months ago, but his first letter, which came in January, was supposed to be in an envelope I received, but the envelope only had a form for me to answer his letter, no letter was included.  They couldn't find the letter and it has taken this long to get another letter from him.  It is dated 4/12/13.  But it was worth waiting for.

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Today I'm really glad to write you and greet you as my dear sponsor.  How are you?  And your activities?  All is well with me and my family, thanks to Jesus.  I'm so glad to write you this letter.  I like to study my lessons and I like to go to school.  My favorite subject is maths.  My favorite animal is a goat.  I was so glad to receive your letter.  I'll pray for you a lot.  I live in Baineti, n the southeast part of my country [Haiti].

I always come to the club.  I attend Wesleyan church and I go there every Sunday morning.  I like to play football with my 3 brothers and 4 sisters.  I pray that God will bless you.

Letter(s) from Esther

I last heard from Esther in February, letters dated December.  Then I received two nearly identical letters in one envelope.  This letter is dated 4/4/13.

Dear Beverly Sykes,

I was so glad to receive the letters and photos you sent me.  Beverly, I am so glad to hear about your family's activities over there.  Beverly, soon or about 1 week after I write this letter, I will face my national exams.  Actually, being 17, I have so many things to do, such as learning to cook, learning to take care of my nephew/niece, etc.  It seems that I like to be photographed lately.  Some day I will send you my photo.  Beverly, there are many new things which I learn with my friends.

I thank you for the letter and photo you sent me, Beverly.

In March during the Easter celebration there were many programs held by my school, such as competitions interclasses and a service.There was also a drama about the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus.  How was Easter celebration in your country, Beverly?  I like to sing Easter and Christmas songs.  My favorite Christmas carol is "Joy to the World" because  once sang it during a singing competition at school to represent my class and my class won the 1st place.  My family and I wish you a happy Easter!

May God bless you and your family over there, Beverly.

Love, Esther.

Letter from Fred

Dear Auntie Sykes,

Christian Greetings!

Thank you for the letter you sent me.  Thank you also for sponsoring me.  If I have no sponsor maybe I will be sad but I am happy that I have you.  Thank you very much.  I am so glad that we have rest from our classes.  I hope that you will be far from accidents.  I am also glad that I have a younger brother and I love him.  When will be your vacation?  Please pray that I will be more godly.  God bless you!

Love,
Fred C.

Letter from Anjali

This is a nice long letter from Anjalli, but it's very difficult to read because of her handwriting.  Nevertheless, I shall try. I know I have some of it wrong. But first, here is a sample of her handwriting:

Dear Beverly Sykes,

I received your letters.  We you happy my family members also happy. Thanky for you prayers. My family also fine. How is Tom and his daughters.  I pray for your volunteer job.  Photos very beautiful.  Belated happy birthday to you Lacie.  I pray for you.  Month good health.  How [agreast?] God proted you mother (my C.D.M.) lord one story and she sound currice lay lesson.  In the projeect we are in wenter new days. After comminy summer.  I have "A" grade in both yearly exams.  Alsways happy when the season changes.

Our church gives cloths for poor people every Christmas.  You one very beautiful in cooking uniform.  Your grandchildren Brianna, Lacie and Jeri, Tom, Ned, I pray from all you family members.

Thank you for your information.  I went to church every month in the project every Sunday gatteneeded the Bible quiz and children in prayer.

I have one brother, one sister, all members. happy we celebrated Christmas and New Year. 

How is your Christmas and celebration? Once again thank you for your prayers, letters, photos, I remember you in my daily prayers.  Thank you for your family.  Thank you for your love and support.

Your loving child,
M.Anjali

Letter from Theresa

This letter is dated 11/23/2012 and is another fill in the blanks note.

My favorite food is:  rice and stew, Banku (a fermented corn/casava mixed and cooked in hot water to a paste and served with soup, stew, or a pepper sauce with fish), and Okra stew.

My favorite color is red.

My favorite sport is Ampe (most of my young girls in African countries play this game)

My favorite animal is cat

Things happening in the family:  a new birth

My favorite friend is Martha Gijamah.  A note is added that the two girls play ampe in front of her house every day after school.

Theresa says pray for her to get strength.

Letter from Josphat

Here is another of those fill in the blank form letters, with an additional passage from the translator.  This one is about festivals and holidays.  This is dated March 3, 2013.

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Some of our holidays are    Christmas   .  My favorite national holiday is   Labour Day .  My family celebrates my favorite national holiday by     Visiting Friends   .

My favorite foods to eat during celebrations are   rice and goats meat  ,  

My family celebrates Christmas by    slaughtering a goat.

Last December I received  clothes and shoes   from my project as my Christmas gift.


My family celebrates the New Year by   going to church   .

During   Christmas   holiday I enjoyed   a lot   .


Message to my sponsor:  Beverly

Receive much greetings from Josphat.  He says he is doing good in the Lord and also hopes your year started well, too.  He thanks you for the letter that you sent him more so the pictures were lovely (especially the Christmas tree).  The child appreciates Brianna so much.  He says he enjoyed his Christmas with his family and they are all okay.  He adds "bye bye."

Letter from Wainaina

I had a letter from Wainaina today.  He is from Kenya and is 16 years old.  I went back and looked over the letters I wrote to him last year.  I always make sure I ask him a lot of questions, yet I have never had one single question answered and he seems to write the same letter over and over again, or variations on the same theme.  Here is this month's letter

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Hello.  I greet you in the name of the Lord.  How is your family?  How are you doing?  I hope you are doing well.  I and the rest of my family are doing quite well.  I still pray to God because I am now a form one student and I hope you will always pray to God to bless me.  In Compassion we are doing well.  Im very happy to be in Compassion.  God has blessed me with great teachers.  I hope we will have a peaceful election.  I'm very grateful for the gift I received.  May all the blessings be with you.

I wrote to him about the recent election in Kenya and asked about voting in that country, and gave him a brief history of the voting rights of women in this country.  I am betting I will never had those questions answered!

From Theresa

This is Theresa with the gifts she received from her Christmas gift.  I"m going to write to her about how now that she has Charlie toothpaste, I would sure like to see her beautiful smile!  I'll get a smiling photo of this girl some day or die trying!

Along with the photo came one of those form letters, this one about her latest medical checkup.

Dear Beverly Sykes,

My last medical checkup was on 2nd June 2012.  For my medical checkup, I went to the project.
I got to my medical checkup by foot. The following people went to my medical checkup with me: Volunteer, Project Worker, Grandmother

I feel happy/good about going for my medical checkup.

At my medical checkup the Doctor/Nurse advise that I.... The nurse advise her that she should eat well every day.

Thank you for your words of encouragement, pictures, prayers and letters

Child's prayer request:  Theresa's prayer request is that may the Good Lord protect her all the days of her life.

I would like you to know more about my medical checkup.
It was her first time of seeing a nurse and a doctor working together.

A New Kiva Loan

 

We are going to Ukraine in August, so I chose Vera, who is from Ukraine for my next Kiva Loan.

Vera is from Novaya Kahovka, where she sells in one of the local markets. She sells women's clothing from space rented from the market administrators. She has been in this business for 17 years.

Vera has come to KIVA for financial help in the form of a 21,000 hryvnia loan for buying spring clothing, particularly blouses and plants, and also fake flowers to sell alongside the clothing. In Ukraine market sellers often mix different good together for sale to support their business, especially when business at the market is slow. Vera is also taking this approach for her business. 

Letter from Shallon

This is a red-letter week:  letters from my two favorite kids.  Today it is Shallon:

My dear mother in Christ, Beverly Sykes,

How are you and how is your life over there?  Back to me, I am fine.  I am very happy and proud of you.  I was happy when I received your gift.  My beloved mother, the gift you sent to me I bought the following things:

piglet   30,000
piglet house  40,000
deworming tablets  55,000
dress  20,000
sweets  200
Total:   95,200

I thank you very much.  I wish you well in all your daily activities.  It is Easter time.  I wish  that you celebrate the death of Jesus well. I thank you for your reply.  I always sing special Christmas songs.  The song I love is "Once in David's Loyal City."

I want to send the verse in the bible.  It is in Ephesians, Chapter 1:17.  It says that God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.

We are also in dry season.  The trees are losing their beautiful leaves.  But we are planting beans such that we may not have famine.

I send my warmly greetings to Ned, Lacie, Brianna and the whole of your family members.

My goat was sick so on the gift you sent to me I used some money to buy de-worming tablets such that it can get better.  It is now doing well.

I send my prayers to you and your family.  Tell your friends that I love them.  Keep with that spirit of love you have.

May God bless you abundantly.

All from your daughter, Katusiime Shallon

Wonderful Letter from Fred!

It was such a wonderful surprise to open my mail today and find this photo of Fred and his family.  His father is holding little newborn Direk and his sisters are Danice and Diana.  It came with this letter:

Dear Auntie Sykes,

Christian Greetings!

Thank you for the gift I received.  I received a family gift worth 1,027.75 pesos (about $25)  We spent the money for the hospital bill when my mother gave birth.  My new sibling is a boy.  His name is Direk.

I like durian.  Thank you for the Peter Pan book.  I like the song "Pasko na Naman" means "It's Christmas again."  Thank you for praying for my mother.  Please ray that I will be a good brother. Do you like babies?  I really like that we have a baby.

Thank you for everything.  God bless you!

Love,
Fred

Letter from Henrique

This isn't so much a letter from Henrique as a status report from someone at the center he attends:

Dear sponsor Ms. Beverly Sykes,

Is everything fine with you?

I am Iolanda and I'm writing in Luiz Henrique's name.  He is a happy boy who has grown up strong and healthily, he has already weighed 19 kilograms and he measures 1.07 meters tall.

He lives with his mom and with his siblings and he attends the church.  Here at the project he is a friend of his friends and he likes to play ball (soccer).  He is on school vacation now and on vacation from the project as well and he will return to the regular activities in February.  Pray for him and for his family.

Thank you because you love him and believe in the life of children like Luiz Henrique.

On Luiz Henrique's behalf (monitor Iolanda)

New Kiva Loan

This woman is in Georgia and I love the idea of helping her buy "wine trees"!

Megi is a 33-year-old woman living in the Bolnisi district with her 42-year-old husband Besik. The family has one milk cow and a plot of agricultural land where they have a vineyard. Megi is milking the cow to make dairy products and Besik is harvesting grapes to make wine. All products are sold locally at the markets and the family gets a small monthly income. They both are very experienced in their fields as they are working at them for 15 years. Megi requested a loan to expand her agricultural business. As she has a plot of unused land she will purchase samples of wine trees, Basik will plant them and grow grapes to make more wine. This will increase the family income and family will be able to have better living conditions.

Letter from Wainaina

 This is dated January 19, 2013

Dear Beverly Sykes,

First of all, receive much greetings from me.  I thank God who gives me strength every day.  I also praise Him because when I was in primary, my studies were good.  I did my Kenya Certificate of Primary Education well.  That's why I prase Him.

My holiday was good and even my Merry Christmas.  I also received your message.  I was grateful to hear the message.  My family and me we are praying for you.  Do you really pray for me, as I d for you?

May God be with you for the rest of your life and I hope you live always trust in him.

Letter from Josphat

This is dated January 5, 2013

Dear Beverly Sykes,

I was named after my grandfather.
I am the 5th child in my family.  I am 250 cm tall.
The color of my hair is black. 
One thing I do really well is drawing.
The thing I enjoy doing is playing.
When I grow up I want to be a teacher.

Receive much greetings from your sponsored child, Josphat.  He received your letter with your picture.  It was just waooh!  Very beautiful.  He says he can draw more because he spends his time with his friend Leo in drawing.  He enjoyed his Christmas holiday and now is preparing himself for another new academic year.

He requests you to pray for our country as we proceed to the general election this year.

Bye.  May our heavenly father bless you.

Love you all.

New Photo of Henrique

Letter from Anjali

Dear Beverly Sykes

Greetings to you.  Hai!  I am fine.  How are you?  I am also like cherries.  I got 'A' grade in quarterly examination.  Our project conducted singing competition.  We have Bible quiz.  My project photos are very nice.  I like Telugu subject.  My favourite colour is pink.  I prayed for those who were suffered from Sandy.  I have one dog, name is Tommy.  Tommy is male.  How are Walt and Toms?  I am praying for you.  I thank you for your sponsorship.  I purchased two dresses with sending your gift.  I feel very happy.  My family also happy once again.  Thank you for your gift.

Yours loving child
M.Anjali

New Kiva Loan

Agatha is a baker in Ebubonko near Abura, Ghana. Agatha has received a middle-school education. She is married and has two children. Her husband is a supervisor at a local business. Agatha has been a baker for the past 15 years. She is responsible for helping her husband pay their family's general expenses. Her loan will be used to buy more flour, sugar, oil and other ingredients needed for her bakery. She hopes to use the new profits to grow her bakery shop to meet her customers' needs.

Letter from Theresa

 

Letter from Briana

17/01/13

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Briana greets you in Jesus' name.  She asks how you and your family are.  Is your child, Brianna doing well?  She asks if your mother was totally recovered.  She says hello to everyone.  She is fine, thanks to God.  She had a great Christmas season with her family.  She asks how you have spent the Christmas holiday.

She asks if you went to your countryside.  She asks how the dog is doing.

Briana got good notes and held the 2nd place in her class.  She regularly prays for you and your whole family.  She says that she was glad to write to you.  She thanks you for the Christmas gift.  She tells you that her birthday is due to January 20th and she will be 11.  She thanks you that you think of her and pray for her.  She will keep praying fr you too.  Thanks!

Written by: her father

Two letters from Esther

These are both dated December 16.

To Beverly Sykes:

Hello!  When you receive this letter, I'm sure that Christmas has passed, Beverly.  My family and I want to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2013.  Lord Jesus always gives his blessing for you.  This Christmas my family and I just stay at home.  We would like to clean the house and decorate a Christmas tree.  What do you always prepare before Christmas?

This Christmas makes me curious because I am waiting for the result of my study and the exam grade during the last 6 months.  Love regards for you.

Thank you for the Christmas gift that you gave as much as Rp 125,300, Beverly.

To Beverly Sykes

Now it is rainy season in my country..  Every day it rains almost in all cities.  Why do you like winter better than summer, Beverly?  In case of me, I like cold weather same as you, Beverly, because it is more fun than hot weather which makes me sweat.

I have ever eaten cherries.  I think it is delicious.  Usually cherries are eaten with cakes.

I'm happy that I could receive and read the letters that you sent to me. Thank you for the letter, photograph, and stickers that you sent to me, Beverly.

I never had a clue that asking each of the children if they had ever eaten cherries would become such a HUGE topic of letter writing!

Photo of Theresa

I saw that Theresa had a new picture posted on my Compassion web site.  They sent me a .jpg.  My happiest day will be the day that I get a picture of this little girl smiling.

Letter fromLuiz Henrique (sort of)

Luiz Henrique is only 5 so someone has to write letters for him.  This starts as a check-off form, where he is telling me about his friends.

Dear sponsor.  I have a lot of friends and I would like to tell you a little about them.  My best friends are Giovane and Pablo.  I met my friends at the Project.  My friends are special to me because we have fun together..  When we are together we like playing soccer.  With my friends I've learned to respect people.

His question for me is

What is a typical food in your country?

And then there is the personal note from Raquel.

Sponsor Beverly,

Hello.  How are you?  My name is Raquel and I am project monitor.  I will write on behalf of Luis Henrique; he and his family are fine.  There are a lot of frogs here.  He was happy to see your granddaughter's photo.  He is learning to read and write.

Luiz Henrique has never eaten cherries.  He was very happy to know that you started a new job as a volunteer.  We hope you will send news soon.  God bless you!

On behalf of Luiz Henrique,
Raquel

Letter from Shallon

My friend Beverly Sykes,

How are you and how is your life?  Back to me, I am doing well.  I first thank God who has given me this opportunity to communicate to you through this letter.  I thank you very much for replying to my letter and sending me photos which look nice.  I was encouraged by the pictures which illustrate women in the Bible.  The message on these pictures is touching.

As you said in your letter, it is true this year has gone very fast. 

I went to the school library and found a book which contained a story about cherries.  It was talking about the colour and that they are purple and how they are made. 

I, too, like the book of Ruth in the Bible because it has good stories which are encouraging. 

I want to thank you for the love, care and support and for thinking about me always.  Thank you also for the stickers.  They are nice.  I enjoy them.  Today the good lord bless you for that kind of love.

My favourite fruits are oranges and mangoes.  At our place we have many of them and we also have a plantation of sugar cane. 

Thank you very much for everything you have done in my life and may the lord richly bless you.

Read Psalms 118:1
(Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.)

Yours faithfully,

Katusiime Shallon