Letters from Lavenda, Brightone and Samuel

Lavenda is 10

 Dear Beverly Sykes,

I salute you, my friend Beverly.  I hope you are fine as me.  Thank you for the letters and hotographs.  I have kept them i my folder at home.  I really admired the fact that you have been marriedfor 50 years.

How was Tom's birthday in Santa Barbara?  I pray for them.  You have a beautiful family.  God bless you.  I am surprsed that Brianna plays a guitar.  Tell her that is great.  I love them all.

Read John 14:12-13
Lavenda

Brightone is 9

10th August 2015

Dear Beverly Sykes

Praise God it is another opportunity to thank him for this friendship he has brought us.  How are you?  My family are fine and have sent their greetings to you.  Receive them.

I am doing well at school.  We closed school for the August holidays and I am enjoying my time with my family at home.  I am helping my parents in their household work, particularly preparing our farm for the next planting season.

I was so glad to receive your letters.  Thank you for praying for me and my family.  I loved the pictures you sent too.  I don't mostly speak English, only when I am in school.  I speak Kiswahilli and my vernacular called Luhyia while at home.

My favorite subject at school is science because I learn new interesting things.  Nature is so wide and full of wonders.  It's amazing that God made this wonderful world that we ought to protect it.  I always learn at my compassion project and we recently planted flowers around our project to demonstrate this.

Thank you for encouraging me too. I try to catch up with mathematics at school so really keep praying for me.  God bless you for generosity and support that has seen me through this far.  I always pray for you too.  Till next time, stay blessed.

Your son,
Brightone

Samuel is 10

15/8/2015

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Receive much greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am fine and doing well in the Lord also.

For now schools have closed and we are nw in our August holiday and I am really enjoying together with my friends, especially in the Church.  I now find myself enjoying sleeping even though I find myself waking as usual for I have been used to this.

Here the weather is very hot and ost of the things we grow should be able to do well in this type of climate, therefore we don't grow blueberries, especially atour place where even the land is very dry.

I also want to thank you for your letters you have been writing to me, for the wonderful photos and the verses of encouragemet.

Wow -- SIX letters!!!

They all came from Kenya and it as such a wonderful surprise to be blanketed with so many letters!

Michael is 6 and so he fills out a form about his family.

My siblings oldest to youngest are Ezina, Eshiaw.  In my family I spend the most time with my sisters.  Extended family that lives with me are aunt.  My family lives in the urban area.  My food is prepared by mother.  My favorite thing to do with my family is playing.  My favorite way to help in my family is washing utensils.  My family's faith background is Christianity.  My family's health and special needs are none.

Message to sponsor:  How are you doing, he begins.  He says he is fine and doing good.  Michael says he liked the stickers you send him in the last letter.  He adds that he enjoys watching Tom and Jerry cartoons.  He continues to say that he enjoys seeing his mother cook, although he is also learning to do so.  He ends by wishing you God's blessing.

Mwongela is only 5 and so he also filled out the form about his family.

My siblings from oldest to youngest are Junior, Kasehanna (Ruth).  In my family I spend most time with his sister Ruth.  Extended family that lives with me are his uncle and grandmother.  My family lives in the rural area.  My foods is prepared by his mother.  My favorite thing to do with my family is telling stories.  My favorite way to help my family is to be sent to the shop.  My family's faith background is Christianity.  My family's health and special needs are to grow stronger in Christ and have good health.

Message to sponsor:  Mwongela says hello  hoping that you are doing good together with your family.  He says his family is doing well too.  He says he sleeps on abed with hisbrother Junior.  He also says thank you for the letters, bookmark and the game, which he enjoys playing.  He says thank you and that may God bless you. He requests you to pass his regards to Brianna and that he loves you all.  He says bye bye for now.

Brightone is 9 and writes his own letters, in English.

Hello!  How are you? I am so excited to write to you once more.  My grandmother sends her regards to you.  We are all doing fine in the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am always overjoyed by the letters you do send me.  They really encourage me so much.  Yes, think always where I sleep.  I sleep with my siblings in our room.  We always prepare our bedroom before the evening so after doing homework, we go to sleep. I still enjoy going to school and I learn a lot of new things.  My favourite subject is science because we are taught interesting things in the natural world.  Did you find science interesting to study?

I was so much encouraged by the verse you shared (Jeremiah 29:11).  I enjoyed reading it with my friends.  It is so amazing how God loves and has good plans for us.  I am being transformed holistically at Compassion's project every Saturday, thanks to your support.  Thank you for your prayers too and may God bless you.

From your sponsored son in Kenya, Brightone

James is 10.

Dear Beverly Sykes,

It's quite a pleasure to hear from you through the letter you sent me.  It's good to hear that you are fine over there.  I am fine too here in Kenya, together with my family members.

I was impressed to see Ned, mother and the two little girls.  Ned is looking good with his short hair and let him just maintain his hair like that.

I would like to encourage you from the book of Psalms 20:4. (May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.)

Be blessed so much, Dear.

James

 Samuel is 9

Dear Beverly Sykes

Samuel greets you in the name of our Lord Jess Christ.  He says he is doing well at school and at home  "How is you my dear sponsor," asks Samuel.  samuel says he prays for you and loves you for your continued support to him.

He thanks you for the letter you sent him.  He says he received it and thanks ou for the verse of encouragement and photos. He says here in Kenya they normally celebrate their birthdays by going to church and singing together.  Also, he participates in communal work by sweeping and cleaning their nearby market.

May God bless you! says Samuel.

Wainaina is 17.

Dear Beverly Sykes

Receive much greetings from me.  I do believe that everything is right with you together with your family.  I'm doing fine at school and also at home.  I do hope that your days are good as mine are.  We are very lucy in our school that we were able to proceed to the County levels insoccer which was not easy to attain.

At last we are seeing some rains and cold nowadays.  Hoping there will be more.rain.

May God bless you and your family for the great support you offer me.

Love,
Wainaina

Letters from Wainaina, Leniel, and Samuel

Wainaina (Erick) had a breakthrough in the last few letters, where he is starting to write actual letters that aren't just full of the same rhetoric every time.  I loved this letter.  (It helps that he writes in English)

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Hello!  I hope you are doing good  Well, I am so happy today to write  this letter to you.  You know, I like reading books of the old times because of the history and information they contain.  As I was reading a certain poem, I came across a saying that says, "Maybe God wants us to meet a wrong few people before meeting the right ones so that when we finally meet the right person we would know how to be grateful for that gift."  Though many of us find it difficult to accept the fact which is happenng in our daly life, maybe God had/has a reason for the to hapen.

I hope that you and your family are well and safe.  I am so happy today because every day in my life is always bright as a saying that says, "it always takes a smile to make a dog's day brighter."

How was your Easter?  I hope you had the best times ever because mine was fantastic.  I hope to receive more letters soon.

Love,
Erick (the first time he has signed his name Erick and not the more formal Wainaina)

Samuel is 9 and also from Kenya:

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Samuel greets you in the name of the lord.  He says he is doing well and he trusts the same applies to you.

He says he appreciates you as his sponsor and keeps on praying for you that God may keep you safe and bless you with long life.

Samuel says he recently celebrated the Easter and asks "did you also celebrate your Easter?"  He says in the project they celebrate the holiday by singing, dancing and praying and also eating some sweets.

Samuel thanks you for your letter and also for the stickers.  "God bless you, my sponsor," he concludes.

Leniel is in the Dominican Republic, and is 8.  He sends a fill in the blank form.

My favorite food is fried chicken.
My favorite color is blue
Other - my favorite animal is a horse
My favorite thing to do is watch TV

Hello Dear Beverly Sykes,

How are you?  I thank you for the letters you send me and also for the books.  I am going to the country this Easter.  I don't know anybody who has turned 100 years old.  I haven't met a pirate. 

My family and I are doig well.  There are no sunflowers.  I enjoy being with my family.  Do you have any animals at home?

Leniel

Letter from Samuel

Dear Beverly Sykes,

"How are you my sponsor, Beverly Sykes" asks Samuel.  "I have been performing better in my school academic work and also in family daily chores and church activities," says Samuel.

Samuel says that he is putting all the efforts into his academic work and in community activities like helping in communal work.  He says he is active in choir, where he attends Sunday School.

He says recently he received an award for being the most disciplined pupil at his class.  The only thing he admires is the bowling game that he likes, but had no chance to play. [I sent him pictures of going bowling with Brianna]

Samuel wishes you all the best.  He says may God bless you very much.

Letters from Wainaina and Samuel

Two from Kenya today.  First, from Wainaina (age 17)

Hello, Beverly,

How are you, together with your family.  I hope you are goig on well with life.  I hope you still pray for me.  I do pray for you before I go to sleep.  I'm very happy today and I'm writing these letters today because we are waiting for the day our Christ Jesus was born and we are preparing ourselves for the celebration which will be held at the church. 

I do believe you are doing/having a good time and great time as you are preparing yourselves for the Christmas day, which is nearly here.  Have a good time as you are enjoying yourselves.  May God bless you.

Next from Samuel (age 9).  Samuel's letter was written for him by someone at his project.

 Dear Beverly Sykes,

Samuel greets you in Jesus' name.  He says that he is fine and he thanks you sincerely for the Christmas greetings and wishes you sent him.  He says that the photos you sent him are very nice and that he likes them.  He also thanks you for the letters you sent him.  He appreciates you for that.  "Thank you, my sponsor" he concludes  He also adds that he wishes and prays that God is going to shower you with blessings so that your family prospers both spiritually and economically.  He thanks you dearly for being his sponsor.

Letter from Samuel

I think that 9 year old Samuel is the best child I have for answering questions, either that or the person who writes for him is good at it!

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Receive warm greetings from your friend Samuel.  He hopes that you are doing very well together with your family.  He says that he is very grateful for the letters you have been sennding to him.  He says that he usually feels very happy and close to you.

He says that when you sneeze in Kenya, you cover your mouth to avoid infecting others and say "excuse me."  Then someone next to you will say that he/she is sorry.  What about in the USA?

He says that he has never known someone who is 100 years old and that he has never met a pirate before because he does not know who a pirate is.

He congratulates you on your anniversary.

He says that he uses chalk for drawing on a blackboard.

Thank you for being my sponsor and a friend.  Goodbye, Samuel says.

New Photo of Samuel

There was a new photo which appeared on my account, of Samuel in Kenya.  He looks healthier in this photo than he did in the first picture I saw of him.  I hope he is healthier!

They say the new photo was taken November 2012.  They say I'll get another one in 2 months, since they update every 2 years.

Letter from Samuel

3/30/14


In filling in a form about his community, Samuel shares that

I live in a village in Kitui county.  My community is located in Eastern part of Kenya and is in rural setting.  The main language spoken in this area is Kamba (his mother tongue).  The common job in my community is farming.  The common type of transportation in  my community is roads.  In my community the weather is mainly hot, sunny, and dry.  The physical features in my community are mountains.  The main religion in my community is Christianity.  One fun thing to do in my community is visiting friends.

Message to my sponsor
Praise God.  I hope you are fine and in good health.  We are doing good (me and my family).  I appreciate the letter you sent to me and moreso the game you taught me via the letter.  May you be blessed.  I always play soccer with my friends, both at school and at the project.  Thank you and have a blessed Easter.

Letter from Samuel

In this "fill in the blanks" letter, dated 11/23/13, Samuel tells me about how he has fun. 

During free time I like to play soccer/football.  My favorite activity is swinging.  When I am outside, I like to play.  When I am inside I like to read.  One sport I like to play is soccer/football.  I usually play with my siblings. When I am bred I will visit friends.  One fun thing I like to do is playing.

The person writing for Samuel adds this note:

Receive much greetings from your friend Samuel.  He says that he is doing very well and his family too.  He says that he received your letter and was so happy about it.  He wants to thank you for your support.  He wishes you a happy new year and a merry Christmas.  Bye!

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 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 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.

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.