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 Wainaina

2/14/2015

Hey, Beverly,

It is my pleasure to write to you again this wonderful morning that God has granted to us.  It has been all going well since the beginning of this year.  I have been praying for you so much that your welfare to be always well.

I'm actually doing well in school and also at home.  I'm glad to be communicating to you through letters and hoping that Christ has been of great help to you as he has been to me.

Here in Kenya we have received some rain for a couple of days and it is a blessing from God.  I hope to hear from you again.

May God be with you.

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 Wainaina

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Hello.  Tolday is another wonderful and beautiful day in my life. All over are clouds covering the sun.  It seems like some few days to come it will rain.  I hope you are fine together with your family.  I always pray for you whenever I want to go to bed.  I hope you are still praying for me.

I am so happy for these letters because they make my day wonderful and beautiful.  Whenever I read your letters I get inspired by the good news you send me every time.  Remember that you are always in my heart.  May God bless you and your family.

Receive my love and prayers.

Erick

Letter from Wainaina

June 9, 2014

Hey, Beverly.  How are you doing together with your family?  I hope you are all right.  I always pray for you day and night.  I hope you always do the same for me.

Here where I live we have been receiving some rains and the grass are turning greenish.  I hope you have been receiving rain in your country.  In school I am doing well and I hope life will always be good when someone views it with a positive attitude.  We pray for our people who are in need and ask them to go to the church.

May God bless you and I always get your nice and enjoyable letters from Compassion.

Letter from Wainaina

Hey!  Beverly.  How are you and your family?  I hope you are doing well.  I pray to God every day for you and your family.  We have a better future together wherever you are. 

Here at home we are receiving much rain and I'm so happy to receive your letters.  You know the funny thing that makes me happy and smile a lot it's when I read your letters and look at your photos.  You know that the photos you sent me are very colorful and beautiful. 

You asked me if I sneeze.  Of course I do when there is something smelly around. 

I want to tell you today that you are always in my heart and you will remain there forever.  May your happiness remain forever and ever in your heart.  May God be with you.

I'm sending my love and happiness for you and your fasmily.

Kimani Erick

Letter from Wainaina

Hello, Bev!  I hope that you are all well, you and your family.  I hope that you still pray for me, as I do for every day before I go to sleep.  I say a word to God about you and the entire family.  I hope now you are preparing yourself for the coming Christmas, as we are preparing ourselves.  I hope that it will be a good and enjoyable Christmas.

Here in Kenya we are receiving much rain, which is a blessing from God.  What about your country?

I'm working hard in my studies and I believe that God will bless me.  Have a good and enjoyable Christmas.  It's my prayer that God will bless you and your family.

Read 2 Samuel 16:5-16

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 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 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 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!

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 Wainaina

Dated November 12, 2012

Dear Beverly Sykes,

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

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

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

Letter from Wainaina

Written September 20, 2012

Dear Beverly Sykes,

First of all is much greetings from me.  How are you and your family? I hope you are fine, and your family as well.  How is the weather in your country?  In our country it's sunny, but some parts it does rain.  I am studying very hard in school and my performance is better.

I also helped my parents in those holiday that is going to end on 31st August, 2012.  The holiday was fantastic as ever before.

My favorite game is soccer.  I am a fan of football since I was in class one.  I like playing football with my team where I do play in defense side.  Pray for our team to win a match between us and Isinga team on this Saturday on 1st September.

May God answer all the prayers I use to pay for you.  May God be with you.

Read Revelation 18:6

Be blessed.

Wainaina makes the most interesting drawings.  Here is his bee hive.

Letter from Wainaina

I was amazed to receive a letter from 14 year old Wainaina, who almost NEVER writes.  He is obviously not a writer, as I can tell from this letter, but it is still nice to hear from him.  Ironically, in this week where we have lost not one but TWO of our good friends, he sends me the psalm that is generally read at funerals.  :(

Dear Beverly Sykes:

First is greetings from me.  I am fine and I believe you are fine too.  For know I am happy because of writing this letter to you.  I hope you and your family are fine.

I am very happy for it.  I am informing you that now our school is a boarding school.  When I am in school, I usually pray for both you and your family so that God may protect you.  In school, I am doing well and my performance is now improving, so I thank God for this.  I am working hard to pas my (?kere?) well.  May God bless you.

Read Psalms 23:1-6

He is, however, a wonderful artist and includes these drawings.

Letter from Wainaina

I don't know whether to call him Eric or Wainaina. I've been calling him the latter, but this letter, the first really long, personal letter I've received from him, is signed "Eric."

Beverly Sykes,

First of all, is much greetings for a long time I haven't written for you a letter. I am happy for your support. God has protected me and our family. My family usually pray for you. I thank God for your prayers.

For now I'm happy for God has answered my prayers of becoming top ten in our exams. How areyou doing? Are you studying like me? I am doing well in home and school. For me, I like participating in many activities, even those that I'm not talented in. But I thank God for what I like doing in my leisure time. He has blessed me with the gift of playing soccer.

I love you for your help and guidance. Here in Kenya there is a lot of drought. animals in Northern Kenya are dying because of hunger. May our prayers be answered because of Kenyans for Kenya initiative to help those who are hungry.

I would like you to read from the book of Psalms 125:1 It says "those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which can never be shaken and can never be moved."

Shallon and Wainaina

Well, after a long dry spell, I've finally had two days of very nice Compassion mail. Today it was my two oldest kids, both sponsored kids (not correspondence kids), both kids who write in English. The first was from Shallon, in Uganda, who writes:

My Beloved Friend, Beverly Sykes.

Let me take this opportunity to thank God who has given me this golden chance to talk with you in this letter. Thank you for your prayers in my exams. I did well in my exams with no problem faced in my exams. In my exams I scored the following - 6 English, 4 Math, 8 Science, 5 Aggregates, 23 Division two (I don't have a clue what any of this really means). That is in my exams.

Let me thank you because you have given me another photo and letters. I would like you to send my greetings to Ned, Jeri and Tom. Sorry about the death of Paul and David. May God rest their souls in eternal peace.

You have told me to tell you whether snow was around us in our country. Yes, it was near to us.

I joined the secondary school so pray for me to pass exams in the senior one.

So I wish you the best Easter day. After Easter day we are going to go back to the holidays. In senior I have made many new friends. Those are Moreeen and Phionah. In our school we have scripture union. This scripture union teaches us reading Bibl and singing Jesus songs. On last Saturday we enjoyed scripture union club at our school. We eat, dance and sing many songs.

When I saw your letters and photos I was very surprised because I take long time wihout talking to you. In the Bible I have a verse which helps me in my studies which is in Psalms 9:1-16. I want to send you a verse Psalms 13:16. It says I will sing to you, O Lord, because you have been good to me.

In our school I have already started to sing. I have a song to you. It is in Hosea 14:1. It says Return to the Lord x3. The lord is calling. We have sinned, Lord, against you but we call upon your presence. We are back you.

Let me stop here. Your loving daughter, Shallon.

That is the longest letter I have received from any of my children since I began this project.

Wainaina from Kenya also sent a very nice letter:

Dear Beverly. I am glad to write this letter to you. First is greetings from me. I am happy to know that you are doing well and you are healthy. I am writing this letter to inform you that I am doing well in school and Compassion. I always pray for you to God to bless you and your family to be protected. I hope that you are praying for me.

For now we are preparing for Easter celebration. That is death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I request you to pray for me to pass my exams. May God bless you.

Read Isaiah 60:1: "Arise Jerusalem and shine like the sun. The glory of the Lord is shining in you."

He also included a wonderful drawing.

First Letter

I've received the first letter from Wainaina (Erick). In addition to filling out the form with basic information, he adds,

I am very happy to have you as my new friend. Thank you so much. I will be praying for you. I want you to pray so I can perform well in my studies.