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.