Mail Call From My Boys!

After being in Texas for a week, I came home to a full mailbox and I was hoping to have a letter or two in the stack when I carried in all of the mail. There were three letters! One from Florenc and two from Kalpesh, including a very special surprise, a family picture! Awhile ago I asked each of my children to send a family picture if they had them and I've received two so far. So worth it to ask!

The first letter is from my boy Florenc in Albania. This letter didn't really tell me too much that I didn't know. I'm guessing he was answering questions that I asked in a past letter, which he received after he had already told me most of the answers already. It's good to hear again anyway.

Dear Kayla,

I was very happy to receive your letter and to know that you are well. I am enjoying good health too. My brother is younger than I am and is very friendly. His name is Esati. He likes football. I try to do my best at school and work hard. My favorite subject is history.

My mother is an invalid. She has had three operations in her kidneys and she needs to do another one, maybe a kidney transplant. She is 33. I help her with the housework.

When I grow up, I would like to become a mechanic. My favorite color is blue.

I was very happy to get the photo of your family and you. You are all wonderful.

At home, I have a cow, some hens, and a dog.

I am very grateful to you for everything.

With much respect,

Florenc.

I think I'm going to be calling World Vision to do a check on his mother and to see what she needs. I would love to be able to send some money to help her out. I'm not sure I'll be able to afford an entire operation, but I would love to help somehow.

In his progress report, Florenc told me that his favorite class is music and he wants to be a musician. Now it's physics and a mechanic. Kids definitely change their minds a lot!

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Now onto the letters from my Kalpesh. I got two from him (his project seems to bulk mail them out). His letters are always so wonderful. It just seems like this sweet boy and such a young man of God, already.

Dearest Kayla,

Greetings to you in the sweet and loving name of Lord Jesus Christ. First of all, let's give thanks to the Lord for his goodness, He has been keeping us safe in his holy hands and provides us our needs everywhere. Once again, I am praising God for this opportunity to share with you. I received your letter, picture of  your grandmom, mom, stepdad, your sister and her boyfriends, and myself too. I am very happy to receive it. Thank you so much for it. Say hello to your grandmom, mom, stepdad, your sister and her boyfriend, and your friend Crista. With this, I am sending my family picture for you. Once again, I am very grateful to you for your love and prayer for us.

With Love,

Kalpesh

How beautiful is this family?! I am just in love. Kalpesh is the one on the far left. He just has the sweetest face and eyes. Pure love. I can see Jesus in those eyes.

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Dear Kayla,

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ. I am very glad to read your letter. Here I am fine by the grace of God and through your prayer. Thank you so much for your love. My elder brother Pravin is 12, Rutik 6, and Sheela 8 years old. I am 2nd in them. You have a brother? My best friend Vishal is 10 years old. We are in the same class. We like to play marbles together. My younger sister is styding in 3rd grade and younger brother will go in 1st grade. Elder brother is helping mother in his work. Right now, that means that my mom and elder and younger brother are staying other place. I and Sheela are staying with our uncle. Thank you for praying for us.

With Love,

Kalpesh

Whew. This was a tough letter for me. I knew that due to his father's death, Kalpesh's mother could not afford to care for all of the children. Kalpesh and his sister, Sheela, are the only children in the family who are enrolled in Compassion. Because of this, they are able to attend school and get an education. I am absolutely heartbroken that because he's the oldest male, 12 year old Pravin has to work to support his mother and family. I'm heartbroken that Pravin cannot be enrolled in Compassion because of the rule that only one, at most two, children can be enrolled. I'm heartbroken that even if I could come up with the money to sponsor Pravin, Compassion probably wouldn't let him enroll.

I decided that I am going to send his family a financial family gift, in the hopes that some of their needs can be met and maybe, just maybe, Pravin could go to school instead of having to work. No 12 year old should have to support his family.

My heart hurts today.