Letter and Photo from Anjali

I love it when I get photos with my letters.  She is now old enough to write her own letters, and they are long and getting more legible all the time. Photos come as a thank you for a gift.  I send money and they decide how to spend it.  This time Anjali bought a suitcase for all of her family to use.

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Greetings to you in the name of our lord, Jesus Christ.  I received your letter.  How are you?  How is your health?  And how is your family members?  I saw a beautiful pictures. I like birds very beautiful.  Thank you for giving this pictures. In India I saw many birds flying on the sky. 

I am studying very well.  I improve my studies.  My project conducted a retreat about discipleship.  In discipleship camp I listen a new message in our life and I learn so many memory verses, action songs, and bible stories.  I pray for you and your family members in that retreat.  I hope same with you.

Which colour do you like?  I play games very well and I like games so much.  I attend the school every day and every Sunday I am going to Sunday school. I like my friend very much.  My friend name Joshana.  I remember you and your family members in my daily prayers. 

I saw a beautiful pictures of you and your grandchildrens.  Your grandchildrens are so nice.  I am happy because Tom celebrated the 43rd birthday.  My mother also would read books to me.  My favorite story is Jesus story.  I like Jesus very, very much.  I am studying very well.  I am playing many games.

Now we are in winter season here, also cool weather. I enjoyed this season here, also cool weather.  I want t visit you.  Which season do you like? And why?  I am still going to Sunday School every Sunday.  I enjoyed reading stories and bibles.  Do you like swimming?  Please tell me your friends names.

Thank you for giving these pictures for me.  I am very happy to write this letter.

I like flowers so much.  In India we have some flowers like lily, maine gold, hibiscus and rose flowers, etc. I am studying very well. We have some fruits like grapes, custard apple, etc.  Now the weather is cool.  I like this season.

I want to say one memory verses, psalms 8:13.1 "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want."  I like this memory verse because really the lord is our shepherd.  He has so much love for you and for me.  Really I remembered you when I am praying to God.  My birthday, September 22, for thanking you for your sponsorship.

I received your gift amount.  I am very happy that my family members also very happy I bought one traveling suitcase.  It is very useful for all my family members.  Thank you for your gifts.  Thanking you for your love and support

Yours loving child,
Anjali

Meet Mushimiyimana

I was sitting in Santa Barbara reading an article about how the bloody massacre in the war of Hutus vs. Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994, women have become the political winners.  It told about how things have changed and the women who have come to power and are working hard to make sure this sort genocide never happens in their country again.

I remembered seeing the movie Hotel Rwanda and how angry I had been that our country had deserted people, knowing they would be killed.

Even before the war broke out, I had a soft spot in my heart for Rwanda because of the mountain gorillas, which I wanted to visit but am now too old to ever make that difficult trek.

Suddenly, I wanted to sponsor a child in Rwanda.  I checked children looking for sponsors and found Mushimiyimana.  It was a match made in heaven.  She was an older child (those are always more difficult to place), she had been waiting for a sponsor for more than a year and what is more, her birthday was the same as mine (this makes my second "birthday twin," as Shallon, in Uganda, also shares a birthday with me).

And so without even thinking twice, I clicked the "sponsor" button and added her to the ten I already sponsored (and 7 that I just write to).  Today I received information about this little girl.

She's 11 years old.
She is attending school, where her performance is average.

Family Duties
Cleaning Animal care Carries water
Hobbies and Sport
Group games Jump rope Other ball games
Guardians
Father Mother
Natural Parents
Marital status of parents:	Now married
Natural parents are together Father is alive Father is living with child Father is supporting child Mother is alive Mother is living with child Mother is supporting child
Employment
Father/ Male Guardian is sometimes employed Father/Male Guardian is a farmer Mother/Female Guardian is at times employed Mother/Female Guardian is a farmer I look forward to getting to know her better.

Letter from Fred

January 25, 2014

Dear Auntie Sykes

To God be the Glory!!!

Once again thank you for your letter and for the picture that you sent to me.  I am so happy to read it together with my mother.  How are you there?  Hope that you are in good health.  We are praying that God will bless your work.  How is your weather condition?  Here our weather is windy and every morning we're so cold.

About my family is still ok.  We go to church every Sunday.

This January I join our playground demonstrations in school for our city feast.

Continue to pray for my studies.  Thank you very much.  God bless you.

Love,
Fred Cardinal.

Letter from Anjali

Now  that Anjalli is getting older, she is writing more legibly, writes her own letters in English, and writes longer letters.  I loved this one.

11-2-14

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Greetings to you in the name of our Jesus Christ.  I am fine.  I hope that same with you.  How is your family members?  My family members are fine.  I am very happy to write this letter.  I am studying very well.  I am preparing my final exams.  Pray for my education.

Now we are enter into summer season.  Getting hot.

How is our founder day -- our project children played dances and skits on that day.  After we celebrated our suppose Christmas on December 23rd.  At my project premises our school children played Nativity play on that day.  Our college chldren presented a skit.  We enjoyed a lot on that day.

I thank you for Christmas dress, December 25th.  I wear new dress and went to church.  I enjoyed with my family members and friends on Christmas day.

Recently we celebrated our harvest festival.  All family members went to church to take the blessings of God.  After we take part in auction.

Please play for my country, family project and my studies.

I received your letter.  I am very happy that on Christmas times we prepare some sweets and we wear new dress.  Morning 7:30 we went to church and pray to God.  In that time some people help to poor peoples.  We are enjoying this season.  I am so happy to celebrate this Christmas.

My favorite food is rice and dal.  I like spicy hot foods.

Thank you for your support.

Yours loving child,
Anjali

Letter from Henrique

At age 7, Luis Henrique is a man of few words.  This is a form he filled out which lets me know that:

He had vacations in January and June
They last 30 days.
He likes to visit his relatives
His favorite relative is his cousin
He likes to play with his friends in vacation
He likes to go to the beach
He suggests I read Genesis 1:3 (the "in the beginning" part)

His personal message is:

Thanks for everything. I loved your last letter.

And he includes a drawing

New Faces

Compassion recently published a blog entry about the numbers of kids who went without ever hearing from their sponsors and how sad it made them, so I wrote and said that I could take on another two correspondence children, so I now have two more to add to the family.

Annie Rose (don't you love that name?) is 10 years old and is from the Philippines.

She is in Grade 2 and performs below level.

She lives with both of her parents.  Her father is a farmer and her mother runs a variety store.

She likes to play house, to play jacks, swim, read, draw and listening to music.

Her duties at home include:

• Washing clothes
• Running errands
• Making beds
• Cleaning
• Animal care
• Carries water
• Child care
• Gathers firewood
• Kitchen help

It doesn't say if she has siblings, but since she includes "child care," I assume that she does.

I look forward to getting to know her.

 Israel is 17 years old and is from Bolivia. (He sure doesn't look 17, does it?)

He is in the 11th grade and his performance is "average."

He lives with his father.  His mother has died, but it does not say when she died.

He plays the guitar, and likes singing and listening to music.  He likes group games, soccer, volleyball and other ball games.

His home duties include:

• Washing clothes
• Running errands
• Making beds
• Cleaning
• Animal care
• Child care
• Gathers firewood
• Kitchen help

I notice that he, too, lists child care, though no siblings are listed in his information.

I had one child from Bolivia before and never heard from him once, and his parents pulled him from the program so he was only with me for a year or less.  I hope I have better luck with Israel and will do my best to make him feel as part of the family.

New Photo of Josphat

There is a new photo of Josphat.  Another one of the "solemn ones" but I am always happy to get new photos and see how the kids grow from year to year.

Josphat is an orphan, so doesn't have much to smile about.

Letter from Shallon

My mother Beverly Sykes,

Let me thank God who has given me this golden chance to say how are you?  I thank you very much for loving me and sending me letters.  How are your family members?

Back to us, we have no problem because we are protected with the holy spirit and thinking that you are also fine like us.

I want to send you a verse in the Bible.  It is in Jeremiah 30:11 [this is the verse:  For I am with you to save you, declares the Lord; I will make a full end of all the nations among whom I scattered you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.  I wonder what THAT means!!!]

I send my warmly greetings to your family members.  And my guardians are greeting you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As you know that we are in Christmas time.  I wish you good and happiness in this time.  My mother, how many years will you have when I am celebrating my birthday in February [we share the same birthday].  I want to communicate with you face to face when I am celebrating my birthday.

I need your prayers such that the holy spirit come down and help me to continue schooling next term and finish my 4th year.

My sister recovered from sickness last month.  She is now fine. For me, I have a verse which gives me power.  It is Jeremiah 20:11.  It says I know the plans I have for you.

What weather do you have over there?  We are harvesting millet.

On your letter the children who put costumes and dresses they look funny at first.  I thought they were not human beings.

I have never heard of bathroom wall so I was wondering what is it? But, my friend, I have read you had fun and after reading it, I laughed.

My guardians and I we are always thankful at your support because you chose me out of many.  May God richly bless you.  I wish you merry Christmas and happy new year.

Love from your child.

Letter from Miché

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Today is a great pleasure for me in my heart to write to you this letter.  How are your activities?  My activities are going well, by the Grace of God.  How is your family?  Do you happy to receive my letter?  If yes, my family is happy to receive your letters and your photo.  It is a special thing because I am the only one in the world who is Miché.  My studies are going well.  What is funny in my area are Christmas party and theater, dance and share gifts with friends too.  Thanks for the nice story in the pictures.  I wish that God Bless You!

Letter and New Photo from Theresa

I received a form from Theresa, dated 1/18/14 along with a new photo.  It hurts my heart every time I get a photo from her.  Each time she has such a terribly sad look on her face.  This year I notice that her eyes also have a "dead" look in them.  the day I receive a smiling picture--even a hint of a smile--on the face of this little girl, I will be very happy indeed.

The form this month is about her hobbies and pets.  Her hobbies are cooking in cans and tins, singing and watching television along with visiting her friends.  She does not have a pet.  She says the hobby she would like to learn is reading (she is only 6).

She also tells me that her parents raise sheep, but they are not her pets.

Her coordinator writes for her, answering questions that I asked in a couple of my letters.

Theresa is very fine and has never in her life heard about having a big party for a bathroom wall.  Moreover, she is yet to come across any thing silly or fun about where she lives that makes her happy.  Yes, some families over here share their homes with pets, but there is no celebration like your Thanksgiving in this country.  She prays for good health for Ned.

Letter from Josphat

Josephat sent a form letter, followed by a message.  He also sends me several drawings.

1/18/14

Dear Bevery Sykes,

During free time I like to play soccer.  My favorite activity is visiting friends.  When I am outside I like to play.  When I am inside, I like to help doing domestic chores.  One sport I like to play is soccer.  I usually play with friends and siblings.   When I am bored, I like to read a story book.  One fun thing I like to do is dancing.

Message to my sponsor:  Receive many greetings from your sponsored child, Josephat.  He says he is doing okay and that they have just opened school.  He says he wants to wish you all the best in life this year and he says  you are in his prayers always.  He says he is requesting you to remember him in prayers so as to excel academically.

Letter from Lovson

In this letter, dated 1/13/2014, Lovson is answering a letter I wrote in August, where I talked about visiting a friend who lives on a farm and who has two sheep, named Periwinkle and Zinnia.

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Today I am so glad to write you this letter.  How are you?  I am doing very well, thanks to God.  What's the weather like where you are?  It's cold in my country.  Do you like hot weather?

I took part in a nice party during December at the project.  My school is going well.,  I had an average of 55.47 for the first term exams.

Thank you for the gift in December.  I bought a t-shirt with it.

Zinnia and Periwinkle are two beautiful names.  I will name my children like that.  I will give them those names.

Thank you for the photos you sent me.  I ask you to pray for me to have better grades.  May God bless you!

Lovson

Letter from Anjali

This has no date, but it was written before Christmas.

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  I received your photo.  It is very beautiful.  Your photos all are very beautiful.  How are you? How is your family members?  [I love that she puts little hearts over her dotted letters!]   My family members are all fine.

Now we are in winter season.  I like this season very much because this season I like we celebrate Christmas.  Also December 12th we celebrate Swanson's Day.  He is the founder of Compassion. 

My project given a beautiful Christmas dress.  In this dress I look like very handsome.  I am very happy.  I celebrate Christmas very happily with my friends  How is your Christmas celebrations and how is your country's weather.

Every day I am going to school in this year.  I enjoy so much Christmas day and new year day.  I love so much Christmas because Jesus was brn on Christmas so I love Christmas very much and here also the weather is cooler.  I like snow.  We wish you a Happy Christmas and Happy New Yearl  Thank you for your sponsorship.

Your loving child,
Anjali

New Kiva Loan

To celebrate my 71st birthday, I've made a new Kiva Loan,continuing to build my herd of cattle in Kyrgyzstan. Besides, who could resist that cute grin.

Anipa is 61 years old and a widow, who raises three children by herself. After the death of her husband, Anipa for a long time thought she would not be able to survive the loss of her loved one. She had to raise and support her children, and Anipa decided to take on the financial and household responsibility by herself. Anipa has secondary education.

As a main source of income for her family, Anipa works with livestock breeding and field crop cultivation, after having started 14 years ago with the purchase of livestock for 7,000 som (KGS). Thanks to Anipa's persistent work, her farm currently has four dairy cows and 10 sheep. She also has a plot of land of 1.56 hectares, on which she grows barley, wheat and hay. She has all conditions for breeding cattle, having harvested 200 pieces of pressed hay and 1.5 tons of barley. The monthly income is 10,000 som (KGS).

With an aim to further develop her business, Anipa turned to the bank "Bai Tushum" for a loan to purchase cows to fatten and subsequently resell at the market at a higher price. Anipa plans to invest the income from the loan in further increasing the number of livestock, and intends to save money for repairing her house.

First Letter from Banesa

I took Banesa on to sponsor in August and finally received my first letter from her, dated 11/21/13!  The first part answers questions about her learing, and then there is a personal message

My Project Learning:  In my project I'm learning about God's word and many important things.
About my emotions I have learned not to let the world change your smile, but your smile changes the world.
About being polite and kind I have learned that we have to be honest and respectful of others.
About my community I have learned we have to take care of our community

Dear Bevery.  Hello!  How are you?  I hope you are fine.  I'm fine, thanks God, because every time I read your letters I feel I was living those moments with you.  I'm happy because in December is my birthday and I'm planning to spending with my family.

You asked me if I know of baseall, well, I do, a little.  In my country from October to January we have baseball season. I always think of you and pray for you so that God gives you everything you need, like in Philippeans 4:13, "I cn do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."  Merry Christmas.

Banesa

Letter from Fred!!

This letter, dated November 23, is the first I've heard from Fred since Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines.  I had received word from Compassion that he and his family were all right but it took this long to get word from him.  I love how matter of fact he is about the storm.

 Dear Auntie Sykes,

Christian Greetings!

Thank you for praying for me.  We had a typhoon here but we are okay.  My health is okay.  My weight is 24.3 kg and my height is 132 cm.  I always go to Sunday School.  I like horses.  We are 30 students inside the classroom.  My teacher is Mrs. Arroyo.

thank you for the pictures.  How are you there?  Do you have storms?

Please pray that I will be farfrom danger and sickness.  Please send my regards to your family.  Thank you for the Lion King story book.  Good bless you!

Love,
Fred Cardinal

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!

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

Letters from Briana and Miché

16 November 2013

Dear Beverly Sykes,

It is a real pleasure for me to write you this letter.  How are you?  Your activities? and your family?  As for me, I'm not too bad, thanks to God.  To answer your questions, I passed, thanks to God, with average of 799 out of 1200.  Now I'm in Grade 7 and all of those things were possible thanks to your prayers.  Please pray for me so that I can be more intelligent and patient in everything I do.  I am praying for you, too, so that God can bless you more.

Briana

22 November 2013

Dear Beverly Sykes,

Today I am pleased to write to you this letter.  How are your labors going on? I am very well, thanks to God.  I am glad to receive your letter and picture.  I am very well, thanks to God.  There are 25 students in my grade.  My teacher is named Milord.  I wear my school uniform.  I like to ride bike very, very much.  I play soccer during my school recess.  Please help me to pray for my school club and for my church.

I wish you a happy new year 2014 and a happy end of year 2013 with joy, security, good health, and lots of love.

Miché

Letter from Shallon

(this is also a new photo of Shallon)

My mother in Christ, Beverly Sykes,

Let me take this opportunity to say hay to you, my mother/friend.  I thank God for 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 form 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 f riends.  I want to send you a verse in the Bible.  It is in Daniel, Chapter 4:2:3. "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,
Katusiime Shallon