13 letters

13 letters came for me from 13 kids while I was spending time with my cousin in Iowa.  I decided not to reprint them all here, but to start where they began again after I returned home.

New Kiva Loan

Kellen, from Uganda

Kellen is a hard working lady, age 40, hailing from the village of Biharwe in Kashari Mbarara district. She is a widow and has a kiosk selling juice and water.

She has been an ardent customer of UGAFODE since 2003. She is so appreciative of the services because it has brought her a long way. She has managed to grow her business, pay tuition as well complete a residential house for her fatherless children. Because of her trustworthiness and the loan of 3,000,000 UGX, which she previously received from Ugafode, her business grew to a bigger retail shop. This enabled her to construct some houses which will help her get income to pay tuition for her growing children. She is therefore applying for this loan to complete her houses.

New Photo of Theresa

This is the latest updated photo from Theresa/Kukuwah, from Ghana, the saddest of my Compassion kids.  I originally chose her because she was I think 4 or 5 and she looked so sad I wanted to take her in my arms and make her feel better.

But the continued sad pictures arrive.  Other sponsors tell me that children from West African countries tend not to smile in photos because of a cultural taboo against smiling.

I hope that is the reason she continues to look sad.  She has grown tremendously since I first sponsored her.

Letter from Shallon

My mother, Beverly Sykes,

Let me take this opportunity to thank God for giving me another golden chance to talk to you.  How are you, my mother?  My family members are sending warm greetings to you.  My family members and I are all okay and healthy.  Every time I receive letters from you I feel so happy.  Thank you very much for loving me and sparing some time to write to me.  I am happy to hear that you celebrated 49 years in marriage.  That is very good.  The photos of your wedding are very nice and you all even had a smile.  I am glad t hear that Dick and Gerry have been married for 50 years.

Jeri at the age of four, Lacie, Brianna with Mickey Mouse.  They looked so happy.  Is it still hot there?

Yes, at school we use chalk and draw pictures while discussing.  The drawings on the letter are so nice.  Yes, I have ever sneezed when I had flu.

How was Tom's birthday?  Thank you very much for selecting a nice cake for Tom in form of a football field. 

We have sunflowers where I live and they are good to watch as they grow.  In our area we have an old man who is 101 years old, but he cannot move long distances.  No, I have never met a pirate and I am not aware of a pirate bible.  How old is Friday now?  Congratulations to Abbie for giving birth.

(Friday is a colt whose birth I watched on "barn cam" some months ago.  Abbie is his mother.)

You have really done a good job at the book store.  I love cooking 

My mother, I am happy to inform you that I am at school studying very well.  We are now in third term and I am reading hard to be promoted to another class.  In my area we receive both rain and sunshine.  I have planted cabbages in my garden.  I liked the Easter song you wrote to me.  My sister is now okay.

Thank you for the photos that you sent to me.

I wish you a merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Letter from Lovson

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Today, it is with much joy that I take advantage of this opportunity to
write to you.  How are you doing?  And your family?  As for me, everything
is doing very good.  Recently I had a cold which made me cough a lot, but
now I am OK thanks to the medicines I took.

I was glad to get your letters.  Thank you for the picture.  I am glad to
see how much beautiful you are.

(These are in answer to questions I asked)

I like to help my mother to cook.

I knew an old person who was 100 years old.  Her name was ZaZa.

I always see fog when it is raining.

I am asking you to always pray for me that God makes me succeed in school.

There was something that I liked very much on the occasion of my birthday.
It was thanksgiving service that we had in my family.

I love you very much

Lovson

Two letters today

From Theresa

This form letter is about Theresa's hope for the future.

I hope to learn about science

I hope to visit my home town

When I grow up I want to be a nurse

I hope to help my parents

In the future I hope to meet my sponsor

Than you for your words of encouragement, pictures and prayers.  She says God should bless her family and her schooling.

She said she would like to be a nurse in the future.

She said she is doing well.  She said she likes going to church and farm with the family and chat with them to have fun also.

From Briana

Dear Beverly Sykes,

It's a real pleasure for me to write you this letter in order to greet you and answer your questions.  How are you, your activities and your family?  As for me, everything is doing well.  My family and I are doing very welll, thanks to God.  Yes, I know someone who is 100 years old.  Her name is Luma Maryanne.  She is my great grandmother, the mother of my grandfather.  No, I am not used to seeing pirates, except in books and movies.  Please pray for me to have more intelligence and patience in all I do.  I am also praying to God to bless you more.  I leave you with psalms 1and I encourage you to read it.