From the Field Friday: Mexico

Let's round out our September country director letters with a letter from Mexico. Sounds like some great things are happening there!

I have one young man in Mexico; Joel.

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Dear Kayla, 

My name is Omar Villagran. I have been the country director for Compassion Mexico since 2004. Compassion Mexico started serving children in 1979 with dining rooms. In 1990, the country office was established in Mexico City. Today, we serve more than 45,000 children though about 210 child development centers in seven Mexican states. 

Omar Villagran

Thanks to your sponsorship, Joel can develop in many areas of life. Poverty limits children, hurting them with a lack of health, education, and opportunities. You are helping to change that for Joel. 

In our centers, center children and youth have dreams and goals, and they know that attaining these is possible. They receive at least one medical checkup each year and participate in different learning activities that complement school. They eat a nutritious meal each time they come to the activities. Part of the program focuses on developing physical abilities, where the children learn to play and work as a team. 

A Boy Receives a Checkup at His Project 

Each child receives a Bible, in which many have found answers and comfort for many of the struggles they face themselves or within their families. Due to poverty, many children are unable to manage healthy relationships with their families and those around them. But we see many children's lives and their family's lives being transformed. Behind each little one we support is a family that receives the opportunity to be free; their entire world can be transformed. 

A Large Indigenous Family Outside Their Home

Poverty challenges people in every aspect of life, so our fight seems to have no end. Unfortunately, our country has serious nutritional problems. The central zone and the north of the country hold first place worldwide in childhood obesity; one in three adolescents between 12 and 19 years old is overweight or obese, and this problem is now affecting even three-to-five-year-olds. On the other hand, Mexico reports high rates of malnutrition in the southeast of the country, in the urban areas. 7.25 percent of children from 5 to 14 years old suffer from chronic malnutrition, and twice as many in the rural areas. The high risk of an indigenous child dying from diarrhea, malnutrition or anemia is three times higher in indigenous or rural areas than in urban zones. This is why we are committed to work harder each day. 

Children Eating a Meal at Their Project 

Compassion Mexico works with the churches that have established the child development centers. We have started nutrition and childcare workshops, teaching the children and their parents to eat in a healthy way with what they have within their area and reach. In our centers, children learn to combine a good diet with exercise to have a healthier life. 

Teens Enjoy a Game of Basketball at Their Project 

Besides all the program strategies to support the children and their families, we see that the close relationships children develop with their sponsors influence their development. Through sponsor letters, children know someone is concerned for them, is interested in their growth, and constantly prays for them. Getting to know their sponsor through a letter, a photo, or a visit inspires them to continue, because the know that they are not alone. Please write your child as often as you can. 

Children Write Letters to Their Sponsors 

Millions of children live in extreme poverty, but we are making a difference one child at a time. Please uphold our staff and the volunteers in our partner churches in your prayers, because our work would not be possible without their effort and dedication. 

Cute Boys! 

I cannot say more than thank you for all the support you provide to Joel. We are grateful for your love for Joel and the heart that you have for our country. 

Shalom, 

Omar Villagran Arjona

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Letters from Spanish Speaking Kiddos

I think I am running out of ways to group these letters together. But sorting by language is a new one. All of the letters I share today were written by Spanish speaking kiddos. I guess that's as good as any way to share them, right?


I'll start with a letter from an itty-bitty, who is writing to me about the climate where she lives. Also, whenever a child tells me what they want to be when they grow up, my favorite question to ask is, "What makes a ___________ a good _________?" Carolin told me she wants to be a teacher so I asked her, "What a teacher a good teacher?" I love her answer.

This letter is written by Carolin, who is 5 year old and lives in the Dominican Republic. Her letter is dated August 27th, 2017.

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1. We have a: Hot Season

2. Right now the weather is: Sunny

3. When the weather is sunny, I like to: Eat ice cream

4. When the weather is rainy, I like to: Watch TV

5. My favorite season is: Spring 

Dear Kayla, 

May the peace of the Lord continue blessing you. I'm so happy for the letter I received from you. A good teacher should love the children so that the students wish to learn to do their homework. I would like to visit the United States someday. I am doing very well, thank God. I already started school. Please pray for my family. 

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In this letter from sweet Sunrei, I get to hear about all kinds of fun celebrations and outings! 

Sunrei is 10 years old and lives in Peru. Her letter is not dated. 

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Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

Greetings in the powerful love of Christ. Thank you for the beautiful letters sent by the children. How beautiful is your country! Let me tell you that we celebrated birthdays in the church. There was cake, candies, a biblical contests, and a singing contest. It was funny. In July, we celebrated National Holidays. I went on a trip to a zoo and to the mall with my family. In August, we will celebrate Sponsor Day and Children's Day. There will be many games, cake, and candies. We will also put a decorative mural where there will be a photo of you and biblical cards too. On July 26th, I was on vacation. I went on a trip with my grandfather to see animals. I ate rice with duck cooked with cilantro and beer. I had a nice vacation. Now I am at school and I am happy with my classmates. I am learning more about God. I always pray for you that you do well at everything. When is your birthday? What season do you like the most? I ask you to pray for my parents so they can know God. Also pray for my little sisters. Goodbye with a lot of love. 

Sunrei Victoria 

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Now a great letter from one of my favorite Honduran boys (I have a lot of favorites); Carlos Alexander. I can't stop calling him by both of his names because, to me, he was Alexander for years and now he goes by Carlos only. I use both of his names now when I talk about him. He signs his letters with both names. 

Carlos Alexander is 16 years old. His letter was written on August 18th, 2017. 

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Hello Dear Kayla, 

I hope that you are in good health. I wish with all my heart that you are in good health. My favorite activity is playing my friends outside of the house. When I am inside the house, I like playing with my siblings. I give thanks for the letter and for the photo in which you appear. It is very beautiful. At the CDC, they teach me the word of God. I want to tell you that I am doing very well at school. My little brother is growing very fast. His name is Walter Julian. My little sister is one year old and her name is Evelin. She is very playful and pretty. Pray for me and my family. I would like to know, do you play any musical instrument? I say goodbye with a big hug. 

Carlos Alexander

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Back to a little one, a letter from Marilyn. In this letter, she is telling me about how she likes to have fun. 

Marilyn is 7 year old and from El Salvador. Her letter is dated August 22nd, 2017. 

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1. When I am outside of my house I like to: Jump Rope

2. I usually play with: My Friends

3. Do you have any fun event or activity that happens in your community that you would like to share with your sponsor? Father's Day celebration 

4. When I am inside my house I like to: Play with Dolls

5. When I am bored, I like to: Play with teddy bears 

Marilyn greets you, Kayla, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, hoping that you are fine. She hopes that God is blessing your life with a lot of blessings. She is very happy to greet you and write to you again. The Independence Day in El Salvador is September 15th. She likes to wear skirts and shirts. Today she ate beans with cheese. Her house has a roof made with wood and iron laminate. The walls are made of adobe and it has two rooms. She asks you to pray for her that God takes care of her life. She says see you soon.

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Now a letter from Marinelis, a princess that I seem to have more and more in common with with each passing letter. I truly love her so much.

Marinelis is 15 years old and lives in the Dominican Republic. Her letter is dated August 28th, 2017.

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Dear Kayla, 

How are you and your family? I hope that you are well. Now, I have just arrived from the doctor. My mother has been taking me to therapy because I have a learning problem. Now, I am little bigger and stronger because on July 18th, I turned 15 years old. My dog gave birth to four puppies. They are very beautiful and tender. Now I am going to start a new school year, in the 1st year of high school. I am very grateful to God. Please greet Brandilyn for me. 

With Love,

Marinelis

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Jose's Final Letter

So, my Peruvian buddy Jose has officially graduated from Compassion. He actually graduated a full two years earlier than I was expecting, according to the date on my account, but I know that can happen. The graduation date is typically the child's 22nd birthday, as the latest date they can attend the project. But, if the child completes all of their goals before that date, then it's graduation day for them!

So today, I share Jose's final letter.

Jose is 19 years old and wrote this letter on August 7th, 2017.

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Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

I want to thank you for your sponsorship. Thanks for the letters, presents, and photos. I am in good health, thanks to our Lord Jesus. Well, I tell you that I am currently working with my parents and brother. I am thinking about studying to have a career in Heavy Machine Operating. I like machines and my plan is to save enough money from that career to run a trucking business with my brother. Thanks for the letters. In my country, it is fall season now and the weather is cold. There were no floods near my house and my community is safe. In my opinion, a prince has the following characteristics: kind, patient, responsible. During my time in the project, I learned the word of God. I learned to make good decisions, love my neighbor, and respect my parents. Also, one of my plans is getting baptized and continue walking the path of the Lord since I have understood that being with God brings peace and safety in life. I encourage you to keep on sponsoring other children, because your support will be a blessing to other children in need. I want to share with you this Bible verse, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." It's from Philippians 4:13. My prayer is that God will strengthen your life. I ask you to pray for my studies, for my siblings' studies, and for my one year old brother. I say goodbye with a big hug and kiss on the cheek. May our Lord bless you all the time. 

Jose Romario

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Manna Mail Call!

Earlier this week, I received a big envelope with one of my new favorite phrases on it, "Manna 4 Lempira." As I walked it down the stairs from my mailbox to my apartment, I knew what was inside was going to be awesome. My Manna boys really showed up! Letters and artwork galore!

Side note, but just to share my excitement. Due to the fact that I have been studying Spanish for so long, I decided to receive my letters untranslated. Over the last month, I have been doing a pretty intense Spanish review on this awesome app, Duolingo. I have been making myself work for about 20 minutes a day and I have really remembered many skills I had forgotten and actually have learned so many new words. I was able to read all of my Manna letters with only have to look up a few words. I felt so good about myself! 

But, my pride aside, I think I sponsor the 6 sweetest boys (maybe a little bias) in all of Manna 4 Lempira. I sponsor 6 boys but I only heard from 5 of them. I did not receive a letter from Jordy this time around, for whatever reason. 

From five boys, I received 6 letters (one mama wrote two letters) and some wonderful artwork. I am going to share it all in this one giant post. 

I will go from youngest to oldest. 

Anthony's mother wrote two letters; one from Anthony's point of view and one from her. I think it's a super cool way to write. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Hello, my friend. I am happy to receive your letters. I like all of the photos. You are very pretty. I could see in the photos how beautiful your family is. I am happy to see you in the photos. Thanks for sending photos. I am very happy. 

I like to play with my aunt Yorleny. She is 17 years old but she likes to play with me when she leaves school. She runs to hug me. It's super cute. 

Do you have siblings? What are their names? My favorite colors are red and sky blue. I like to play soccer with my aunt. My favorite foods are chicken, fruit, and fish. I live in a beautiful place. I love you very much. Write back soon. I send you many kisses and hugs and love. 

Anthony

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Hello Kayla, 

I am very happy to write a letter to you. I am Anthony's mother. I write his letters because he is still little. I can't write yet. My name is Lesvy. I am happy you sponsor my son. Thank you for your love and caring for my little son. He is a very charming boy. He is happy receiving letters from his sponsor. Thank you for showing us the love of Jesus. Anthony's favorite colors are red, sky blue, and yellow. His favorites toys to play with are Minions and Blaze. He likes to play a lot. We hope to meet you. 

I am a single mom. Anthony's dad left when he was born, but I am taking care of him. He is very calm and special to me. With these few words, I say goodbye with love and caring. We love you a lot. 

Lesvy

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Now Noel's letter. He is also too young to write by himself and his mother helps him write his letters. Noel is quite the little artist and sent me lots of artwork! 

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Dear Kayla, 

Hello dear friend! Thank you for writing me a letter. I'm doing very well, thanks to God. I have already been attending a public Kindergarten for 6 months. My wish is to be in a bilingual school like my brother Ivan. We are now on our first vacation. I hope God will help my wish come true because the situation here gets more difficult every day. What I like most about Kindergarten is the homework. Right now, I can't write alone; just some letters with my mom's help. The weather is spring here. It rains almost every day, in the evening. I am not able to send a family photo right now. I hope someday I will meet you. 

Noel Adelmo

 

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Next up, a the letter from Brayan. I have been sponsoring Brayan for 8 months and this is the first time I am hearing from him. The wait was well worth it. It's so great to be able to start connecting with him in this way. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Hello, my new friend. I am happy to write you this letter. How are you? I hope you are well with God and he gives you many years of life. Thanks for being my sponsor. You look very pretty with your family in the photo album. I want to tell you about me. I am 7 years old. I'm in 2nd grade. I can read and write. I like school and have good grades. My favorite color is red. I like chicken and hamburgers. My mom's name is Otilia Selima Aguilar. My siblings are Andrea, Antony, and Bayron. I have a family that I love a lot. My birthday is September 20th. I love you a lot. I hope you write to me. The place where I live is very pretty. Near my house are coffee plantations, many trees, a river, a creek, and many beautiful animals. 

Brayan

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This next letter is from Jarlin. It was written sometime after Christmas, written to a potential sponsor. A generic letter, at this point. Since I just recently sponsored him, I am guessing a more personal letter will be written next time. 

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Hello, my name is Jarlin. I would like to thank you for the supplies that you sent us. The ladies thank you for making the children happy. Many thanks! I wish you a Merry Christmas. 

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And to end, a letter from Ivan. He seems to have thought that I was going to visit Honduras, along with other sponsors that had visited. I wish! I, sadly, do not see a trip to Honduras in my near future. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Hello Kayla. I am fine. How are you? I thought you were coming to Honduras? One thing, are you coming to Honduras? Yes, I would like you to write your letters to me in English. You know, one thing, I have a great hand at drawing. If you send me a picture of you, I could draw you. I like your funny drawings. I will pray for you and your church. It is awesome that God has a big love for us, because when we need him, he is always there. My family is fine. The only problem is that I had a pain in my stomach about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I would like you to pray for me. Bye Kayla. 

With Love,

Mario Ivan

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From the Field Friday: Kenya

I have shared many of these letters over the past few months and I still have tons to send, but something about today's letter really struck me. In all letters, we are forced to see some of the worst things in our world; lack of clean water, abuse, gangs recruiting children, lack of education, etc. Then we get to see how Compassion is tackling these issues head on. I guess it has taken me three months to realize it, but it is Satan who is spreading so much hate and lies in these developing nations and their poorest communities. Compassion is standing against Satan and taking on these lies. They are changing these countries, from the inside out, through the children. The children are carrying God into and through their countries. Change is happening!

Today we hear from the man heading up the program in Kenya.

I have a whole slew of children in Kenya; Baraka, Brian, Lemayian, Faith, Hillary, Mulwa, Muuo, and Tumbu.

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Dear Kayla, 

My name is Joel Macharia, country director of Compassion International in Kenya. Compassion has been in Kenya since 1980. We partner with about 375 local churches, serving 108,000 babies, children, and youth. 

Joel Macharia with some Compassion Children

Thank you for your support and care for your sponsored children. Though sponsors' support, children attend school, learn to make good health choices, receive medical attention, find a safe place to play, build healthy relationships, gain essential life skills, discover and build their talents, and encounter the life-transforming message of the Bible. Compassion children receive learning materials, desks, school uniforms, and remedial tutoring. At child development centers in their communities, they find caring adults who encourage, support, and guide them. We invest to provide access to safe drinking water, sanitation, solar lighting, and treated bed nets, among other initiatives. 

Teenagers Studying at Their Compassion Project 

Children are often at risk of emotional, physical, and other forms of abuse or neglect, including early marriages. We work to prevent and deal with abuse through training and establishing robust processes. 

Terrible Living Conditions Often Lead to Abuse Situations

About 70 percent of our children live in rural communities that largely depend on small-scale subsistence farming and keeping animals, about 30 percent live in urban slums. In rural areas, families struggle to find enough food and water when rains fail. In impoverished urban areas, people live with poor or nonexistent sanitation, bad housing, high unemployment, predatory pricing, and violent. Often families are dysfunctional, and many people are too absorbed in their own struggles to notice or care for others. Public schools tend to have fewer teachers than needed, inadequate learning materials, inadequate or poorly maintained infrastructure, and high teacher absenteeism. 

An Urban Slum in Kenya

We continue to work at changing families' mindset from victims to thinking like empowered Christians. Discipleship is at the heart of forming this worldview. We want people to envision a better future and take the necessary action to overcome the odds and hold them. 

Children Sing Worship Songs in Their Compassion Classroom

Recently, we encountered a single mom who had lost both hands in a past abusive marriage. She and her child were in great distress. When the child was registered in the center, she was malnourished and sick. She received needed nutrition and medical support and now shows remarkable improvement. The mom was connected to a local women's group, where she has received needed support, including free legal services. 

Our church partners are an important center of community life. They run discipleship programs for different group and teach people how to improve their economic prospects. Some churches run their own school, health clinics, and vocational training. We empower church leaders to collaborate to address issues affecting their communities. 

Children Learn in Project-Run School

When a child gets a sponsor, it is a very special cause for celebration. It deeply affirms the child as unique and valued. Children long to connect with the sponsor to express gratitude and build the relationship. Receiving a letter, photo, or car from the sponsor encourages them and reinforces their feeling of being loved. While it's delightful to receive sponsor letters, some don't get them, and they wonder why. We encourage them to keep communicating, but they find it hard when the sponsor is quiet. Please write your children as often as possible. 

A Child Reads a Letter from Her Sponsor 

Thank you again for your friendship and support for your sponsored children. We say in Africa that it takes a village to raise a child. Our child-raising village is incomplete without you. Please pray that all our children will live to fulfill their God-given potential. 

Warm Regards and Every Blessing,

Joel Macharia

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New Photo + Two Letters

After not hearing from Ernest, so far, this entire year, I have struck gold!

Fist of all, I received a new photo of him!

Then I received two letters from him. From past experiences, Ernest's letters aren't what you would call "amazing", but I will continue hoping that he will start writing on his own someday and then I will start to hear more details. His tutors at the project seem to basically write the same letter over and over again, which I can honestly understand, since they are helping hundreds of children write letters on any given letter writing day. 

His drawings are always great, though! 

Ernest is 11 years old and lives in Ghana. This first letter is dated July 8th, 2017. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Ernest thanks you for your sponsorship and letters. In school, he has learnt about hygiene. He wants you to pray for him, that God will give him protection. He prays for you that God will make you strong. He shares Ezekiel 20:15, "Do not steal." 

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This second letter is dated September 8th, 2017. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Ernest says may God bless you for your support and prayers. He says he has been promoted to the next class. He says he and his family are doing well. He says pray to God to grant him wisdom. He says may God richly bless you. He shares Matthew 6:11, "Gives us today our daily bread." 

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From the Field Friday: Indonesia

Several weeks ago, we heard the letter from the same country as we will hear today. However, due to Indonesia being SO widespread with SO many islands, it has been split in half, in Indonesia and East Indonesia.

Today, we'll hear from the country director of Indonesia.

I currently have one sweet girl from Indonesia; Airin.

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Dear Kayla, 

I am Sarah Jeanin Rahardja, Compassion Indonesia country director. This is my 15th year working with Compassion. Compassion Indonesia started its ministry in 1984. Today, we minister to almost 70,000 children, nearly 800 mothers and babies in the survival program, and 87 LDP students through more than 315 church partners. 

Sarah Jeanin Rahardja

Thank you for your commitment, love, and contribution to Airin. You have changed everything for your child. Sponsors' financial support not only provides school tuition, healthy meals, and medical intervention, but it gives the children confidence, since they know they are loved, known, and protected. 

A Poor Urban Neighborhood in Indonesia

In Indonesia, 13.8 million children live below the poverty line. Children who live in rural eastern Indonesia have more disadvantages in access to clean water, schools, and health care. However, children in western Indonesia have their own disadvantages due to the concentration of population. In Indonesia, increasing numbers of parents must work outside their village or even out of the country. Only 10 percent of children see both their parents daily, and 20 percent do not see either of their parents. 

A Boy in His Home 

One of our focuses for the coming year is youth development, which will provide programs and opportunities for youth to be disciples, develop their leadership, and develop their interests and talents to become self-sufficient. We are also expanding our ministry to more extreme-poverty areas. This year, we will expand into Alor Island, East Nusa Tenggara province, and North Sumatra. 

Children Enjoy a Meal at Their Project

Last year, we implemented Qavah, a method to empower church partner. We help church partners to identify their resources instead of identifying their needs. The process has a significant result when church partners start to access resources around them and mobilize their communities to respond to their own needs. Church partners have been able to mobilize communities to build toilets or bridges and clean the streets. We used a similar process with youth, and they came up with some great ideas and programs; empowering youth also helped the church partners maintain youth participation at the child development centers. In one center, the youth developed a program to pick up the younger children and serve them during the activities at the center. 

A Market in Urban Indonesia

Children value their relationship wit their sponsors. They not only appreciate the financial support, but especially the sponsor letters. Some children study harder because of encouragement from their sponsors in letters. Some children feel valuable because their sponsors say they pray for them and love them and some children meet Christ through sponsor letters. Through letters, children feel the love and attention that some of them cannot get from their parents, who are too busy to meet their needs. Please write as often as you can. 

Children Writing Letters to Their Sponsors

These achievements in children's lives could not happen without sponsors' supports and commitment. You play an important role. Through the relationship between sponsor and child, two different people from different countries, different languages, and different cultures can know each other and see the kingdom of God in wider perspective. The sponsor-child relationship is not limited by program, but it is a lifelong relationship. I am thankful to be your co-worker in this most effective ministry is bring children to rise from poverty and to know Jesus. 

A Happy, Healthy, Sponsored Boy Outside His Home

I humbly ask you to pray that we can have the courage and commitment to do our best; also pray for the process of expanding our ministry to more impoverished areas in Indonesia. 

Please let me express my gratitude again for your commitment, love, and heart for Airin. May God bless you abundantly. 

In Jesus, 
Sarah Jeanin Rahardja

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