Letter Stats: 2018

It's time to wrap up the year with my typical end of the year post. It's just about midnight on New Year's Eve as I write this, so there is no better time to post this!

2018 was a year of many lost correspondent children, for various reasons and while I did receive letters from many of them, they will not be included in this post. I'm choosing to only count the letters of the children that I will go into 2019 with.

In 2018, from my current children, I received 262 letters!

My best month for letters was March with 30 letters. My slowest month was this month, December, with only 10 letters received.

My champion writers this year were Agness and Zenebu (who coincidentally are very first and very last in my list of kids alphabetically). They wrote me 7 letters each!

I received 6 letters each from: Kelvin, Airin, Tamire, Faith, Jule, and Rebecca.

Each of the following children wrote me 5 letters (it's a lot!): Brian, Ernest, Jhoyra, Ayling, Tern, Dagim, Jhonrex, Marilyn, Rodrigo, Jonathan, Kwizera, Marinelis, Baraka, Lenin, Jhojaira, Yohannis, Muuo, Carolin, Milkias, Bryan, Nicol, and Brisa. 

These next kiddos all wrote me 4 letters each; Mulwa, Nico, Daniel, Maria Eduarda, Joel, Shakilla, Tumbu, Ronaldo, and Lina. 

I heard from these next kiddos 3 times each: Jonatan, Mariela, Daniel, Enmanuel, Hillary, Carlos, Joseph, Jaw-buh-keh, Prity, Lemayian, Emanise, Jhon, Celeste, Muzuro, Keyla, and Nicol.

I received 2 letters each from Vitor, Juan Camilo, Raibel, and Naji. 

Most of these next kiddos are new, so I haven't heard from them much yet. I received just 1 letter each from Hansen, Habtamu, Mirajul, Romli, Dennis, Sevenson, Alice, and Anny. 

Lastly, I have not received letters yet from Shallom, Angeline, Semira, Elvis, or Kevin. I hope I hear from them soon!

2018 was a great letter year! Onto 2019! 

Manna Christmas 2018

As you've probably noticed, I haven't posted anything in weeks. First, I didn't have any new letters to share as I had a short drought. Then, when letters started rolling in again, things got really busy in preschool with ornaments making, student present wrapping, pajama wearing, movie watching, and Christmas program singing. I just didn't have time to type up anything. And today, I am still not going to type up any letters, haha. I'll start up my typical Tuesday/Friday letter sharing schedule in 2019.

Today, I want to share some wonderful  joy with you in the form of new photos of my Manna boys. These Christmas themed photos are such a joy! Everyone is accounted for except for my oldest guy, Ivan, who attends the bilingual school and his school had not released for Christmas break yet. Poor guy had to attend school and miss the Christmas party and mail delivery day. I think that should have been considered an excused absence. ;)

Jarlen, Age 12

Carlos, Age 13

Noel, Age 6

Angel, Age 8

Levi, Age 8

Yesbin, Age 11

Defer, Age 9 

Brayan, Age 9 

Antony, Age 3 

Five Letter Friday: Volume 24

Another work week ends so we read another set of letters from some pretty great kids.

:)

We'll start off today's post with a letter from Muzuro. He really seems to like the story of the The Elves and the Shoemaker!

Muzuro is 15 years old, lives in Uganda, and wrote this letter on November 14th, 2018.

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Dear Kayla, 

Once again, how are you and your family members? For me, I am fine and my family members are also fine. May you greet for me your mother. I hope that she is fine. I want to thank you for your letter and the interesting story that I read, where the shoemaker makes shoes in order to make a living. We should share together so that God may enlarge our territories. I learned that I should share with friends so that we may be blessed. I know the shoemaker is a God-fearing man because he distributed the shoes to his village. The stories you send me are changing my life. I will tell people to repent from their sins. I want you to pray for my brother. Next week, we will start our exams. I hope to pass to S-2. Then we will celebrate Christmas with love. I wish you a happy, happy, happy Christmas. 

Muzuro

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After that I heard from Zenebu. She wrote to me on the template letter entitled My Favorites. 

Zenebu is 7 years old and lives in Ethiopia. Her letter is dated November 13th, 2018. 

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1. My favorite food is: Rice & Macaroni 

2. My favorite sport is: Soccer 

3. My favorite color is: Red 

4. My best friend is: Abat 

5. My favorite animal is: Bird 

6. My favorite hero is: My mother 

Please pray for me to be clever in my education. Your letter has reached me. Thank you so much. I am so glad for the story you told me. 

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Up next is a letter written on the All About Me template, from Airin. 

Airin is 8 years old, from Indonesia, and she wrote this letter on November 13th, 2018. 

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1. I am the 2nd child in my family. 

2. One thing I do really well is: Play Games 

3. My height: 123 cm 

4. My weight: 24 kg 

5. My hair is: Straight 

6. One thing I really like to do is: Go to student church 

Dearest Ms. Kayla, 

Shalom! I am so happy to be able to speak to you again through this letter. How are you doing over there, Ms. Kayla? I hope you and your family are always in God's protection. Now I am in 3rd grade of elementary school. I like singing. That's all for my letter. I hope God always blesses you and your family. 

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Another form letter is up next! This one is from Joseph and it is titled My Project Learning. 

Joseph is 7 years old, lives in Guatemala, and his letter is dated October 30th, 2018. 

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1. I go to my project: Mondays and Tuesdays 

2. I learn to take care of my body by: Washing my hands before eating, bathing everyday, and brushing my teeth. 

3. My tutors help my spiritual growth by: Teaching me Bible stories and teaching me worship songs. 

4. I learn to be polite by: Saying please and thank you, being kind to others, and playing with other children. 

5. My favorite thing to learn at the project is: Bible stories 

Dear Sponsor, 

Joseph greets you with affection. Regarding your questions: He did not see any of the World Cup games. He does not have a favorite soccer team. He will pray for Gage and Chloe so they will have success at school. He asks you to pray for his family so they will always have love and that they will always be together. He is enjoying vacation, but school will start again in January. How is your family? 

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Today's post ends with a letter from Brisa, written on the My Medical Check-Up template. 

Brisa is 7 years old, lives in Nicaragua, and his letter was witten on November 15th, 2018. 

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1. My last medical check-up was: November 2017 

2. For my medical check-up, I went to: The project 

3. At my medical check-up they: Took my height and weight 

4. At my medical check-up, my doctor recommended: Exercise 

5. At my medical check-up, the doctor said I am: Healthy 

Hi Dear Sponsor! 

How are you, friend Kayla? Blessings to you and your family. I wanted to thank you for your beautiful gift. I bought a pair of beautiful black shoes with flowers on them, a pair of blue jeans, and underwear. I am very happy because your remember me. I wish blessings on you. I wish that God gives you wisdom, as he gave to Solomon. My best wishes to you. I am very happy because soon we will be given a Christmas gift at the project. 

Brisa

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Three Letter Tuesday: Volume 24

Another Tuesday, another three wonderful letters to share.

:)

This first letter is from Mulwa. He is 11 years old, lives in Kenya, and he wrote this letter on November 8th, 2018.

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Mulwa salutes you in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. He says he is moving on well together with his family. He hopes you and your family members are moving on well too. He says he is very happy because of the support you have been giving him. He says he has been receiving the letters that you've been sending to him. He receives the letters with a clean and joyful heart. He says he likes going to Sunday school to learn more about God. He says that at school he is putting forth a lot of effort to achieve his goals. He has done the end of term exams. Next year, he will be promoted to grade six. He says that he always prays for you to be blessed and he is requesting prayers from you for him to continue doing well. He likes the teachings you write to him about giving to others in their time of need. 

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Next up is a letter from Kwizera. I love the verse he dedicated to me in this letter. It's a simple verse, but it also happens to be the verse of the month at the preschool that I teach at. Just something special, I think. 

Kwizera is 13 years old and is from Rwanda. His letter is not dated. 

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Dear Kayla, 

I foremost greet you and your family in the name of Jesus Christ. I was pleased by your letter. I was amazed by the story you wrote to me that a person must help someone else with things that person doesn't have. Here, it rains. We have finished doing the exams and soon we will go into holidays. Pray for me to succeed. I am happy to relay you verse John 3:16. I and my family are pleased with your letters. Thanks for the photos. 

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We'll close today's post with a letter from Raibel. He wrote this letter on the My Hobbies and Pets template. 

Raibel is 7 years old, lives in the Dominican Republic, and this letter is dated November 7th, 2018. 

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1. Some of my hobbies are: Watching TV and reading stories 

2. I like to do my hobbies with: My friends and my parents 

3. One hobby I would like to begin someday is: Learning how to draw 

4. My favorite animal is: A cat 

5. My pet is called: I don't have a pet 

Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

May God bless you very much. I am writing on behalf of Raibel. He is well and wants you to know that he loves you very much. He would like you to come visit him. Please pray for him and his family, for God to help them. 

With Love,

Raibel

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Five Letter Friday: Volume 23

I don't have any intro today.

Here are letters.

The first letter is from from Tamire. She seems to be a girl of few words this time around.

Tamire is 9 years old, lives in Ethiopia, and her letter is dated October 29th, 2018.

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Dear Kayla, 

How are you and your family doing? I and my family are doing well. I have received your letter and I love the pictures you sent. I love you very much. Be safe! 

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Next up is a letter from Celeste. It feels like it's been forever since I last heard from her. It's so good to hear that she is doing well. She is clearly responding to a letter that I wrote in August, about getting ready for my new class of students arrive. She wrote this letter at the end of October, and by then, I'd had my "new students" for two whole months. 

Celeste is 15 years old, lives in Honduras, and her letter is dated October 22nd, 2018. 

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Hello Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

It gives me great joy writing this letter. I hope that you are in good health with your family. I am happy that you are preparing to receive your new students. I am looking forward to another letter from you because you will send a photo of your classroom. I want to tell you that in 2021, if God allows it, I will graduate with a high school diploma in computing. Then I would like to go to technical college. We are about to finish this school year and then I have to move to another school to finish my studies, God willing. In your letter, you asked for prayers for you and the other teachers. Of course I will be praying so that God gives you and your fellow teachers wisdom so that your students can learn everything you teach them joyfully. I thank you for the beautiful Bible verse. Of course, God is our help and our strength. He is the one who helps us come out of difficulties. I send kisses and hugs! 

Sincerely, 

Celeste 

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We go onto a letter from Mirajul. This is my very first letter from him and it's full of details. He seems like such a treasure. I am so eager to get to know him more and more.

Mirajul is 13 years old and is from Bangladesh. His letter is dated September 5th, 2018.

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Dear Kayla, 

At first, take my cordial greetings. I hope you are fine. Me and my family are fine. Thank you for your letter. I like to play in my leisure time. I especially like playing football. I have got a new baby sister. She is 7 months old. She is learning to sit by herself. I hold my sister on my lap. I take care of her. When she cries, I take her in my lap. I attend the project regularly. I like the project. I like to eat tomato. We grow tomato. Potato is one of my family crops that is cultivated most in our country. We swim in the pond, but we do not swim too often. I got a mosquito net, umbrella, and bed sheet from the project last month. I am very happy to get these. What will you do when you grow up? Please pray for me. 

Yours, 

Mirajul

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I seem to have some not-so-chatty kiddos recently. Must be something in the air. ;) 

This short letter is from Vitor. It's short, but sweet, and has a few good details. But honestly, I have no idea what he's talking about in the beginning? 

Vitor is 13 years old, from Brazil, and he wrote this letter on October 14th, 2018. 

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Hi Kayla! 

I think this happens in many homes! It's bad to treat somebody with disdain. What do you do? I want to be a firefighter. How are you? I have the flu. Please pray for my uncle Valterli. He has cancer. Thank you for your letter. I share Proverbs 14:27, "The fear of the Lord is a fountain for life, turning a person from the snares of death." 

Vitor

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We end this post with a letter from my most un-chatty boy. At least he's consistent. ;) 

Ernest is 13 years old, from Ghana, and his letter is dated October 31st, 2018. 

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Ernest says thank you for the letters, the stories, and the pictures you sent. He's very happy to receive them. The stories are good. He says they are having inter-school games. Please pray for God's mercy and protection for him. He says may God grant your heart's desires and let all your wishes come to pass. Here is Psalm 25:15, "I look to the Lord for help at all times and he rescues me from danger." 

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Three Letter Tuesday: Volume 23

It's only Tuesday and it's already been a difficult week. I'm just exhausted; on every level you can think of.

Somebody at work today asked me how I was and without thinking I said, "I'm just ready for 2019. I'm hoping it'll be a better year." It actually surprised me how well that described how I was feeling. I think I'm just ready for a fresh start.

I need a new year with some new hope.

Not sure why I started this post like that. It's time to share three letters.

First up is a letter from Lemayian. I only hear from him about twice and year and his letters are pretty generic. He really doesn't seem to enjoy writing. I am glad my letters bring him encouragement, though, even if he doesn't like to write back.

Lemayian is 18 years old, lives in Kenya, and his letter is dated November 3rd, 2018.

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I greet you in Jesus' name. I am doing well and my family members are also doing well. I hope and pray that you are also doing well. I am doing well in the project and also at home. The weather in our country is sunny. We have harvested some maize and beans, which we enjoy. Thank you for the letters. I have received them and I am very happy with them. God bless you. Good bye. 

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Next up is a letter from Lenin, who is writing to me on the template titled My Christian Learning. I really enjoyed reading this one. It's a nice template, which a lot of open ended questions for the child to answer however they want. 

Lenin is 7 years old and he lives in Peru. He wrote this letter on October 30th, 2018. 

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1. My favorite Bible story is: Jonah and the Big Fish 

2. My favorite Bible verse is: Jonah 1:17 "Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah and Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights."

3. In the project, I am learning the Bible story about: Noah and the ark 

4. When I pray to Jesus, I pray about: My family, my friends, my sponsors, and me 

5. My favorite song to sing at my project is: Let's Climb Rungs 

Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

Lenin greets you with a kiss. He thanks you for the stories and for the photos of Gage and Chloe that you sent him. They're so pretty. Also, he thanks you for the coloring pages of Captain America. He loves him! He tells you that he's doing well in his studies and at the project. He's taking singing lessons at the project. They're practicing to sing for Christmas. He asks you, do you like music? He asks you to pray for his spiritual life and he promises to pray for Gage and Chloe so that they can do well at school. 

Lenin 

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The last letter of today comes from my precious Faith. It's fun to see her responding to the latest story that I sent to the kids. It's really been a fun letter writing series. 

Faith is 12 years old and is from Kenya. Her letter is dated October 27th, 2018. 

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Hello My Dear Friend Kayla, 

How are you? How have you been? It is my sincere hope that you are fine. On my side, I am spiritually doing well. Academically, I am putting forth more effort to achieve my academic goals. In my end term exams, I was in position 13 with 241 points. I thank God because I was promoted to 7th grade next year. I am very grateful for the letter you sent me. I read the story about The Elves and the Shoemaker and how the man and his wife made beautiful shoes and the elves helped them by providing enough materials at night and helping make more shoes. This story encouraged me to give to others in their time of need so that they will help us when we are in need. God bless you and be with you. Good bye. 

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Five Letter Friday: Volume 22

What happened to Volume 21?

The world may never know.

I swear it doesn't have anything to do with me forgetting to post and then not wanting the numbers to not match, leading me to skipping the #21 entirely.

No. That can't be it.

It just vanished into thin air!

How strange...

Ahem...well, maybe it'll turn up someday. Until then, five letters for volume 22!

Today will be a bit funny because the first two letters will all be the same template, entitled How I Have Fun, from two different kiddos in Kenya. I received them both in the same week and think it's fun to post them all together.

First up is the letter from Muuo, who is 8 years old. His letter is dated November 9th, 2018. Some of his letters crack me up! He seems like quite a funny character.

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1. During free time, I like to play: Soccer 

2. My favorite activity is: Playing hula hoop 

3. When I am outside, I like to: Hop like a frog 

4. When I am inside, I like to: Watch cartoons 

5. One sport I like to play is: Swimming 

6. I usually play with: My siblings 

7. When I am bored, I like to: Rest under a tree 

8. One fun thing I like to do is: Bark like a dog 

Muuo sends warm greetings to you and your family. He says he is doing well both at school and at the church project. He thanks you for the letter which you sent to him. He says the weather is hot, even though the rainy season is right around the corner. Lastly, he is wishing you and your family a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. 

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Now, the same letter from sweet Alice, who is also 8 years old. Her letter is dated November 3rd, 2018. 

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1. During free time, I like to play: Soccer 

2. My favorite activity is: Singing games  

3. When I am outside, I like to: Play with friends  

4. When I am inside, I like to: Read storybooks  

5. One sport I like to play is: Soccer 

6. I usually play with: My friends  

7. When I am bored, I like to: Watch TV 

8. One fun thing I like to do is: Dance 

Alice says hello to you. She says I love you very much, my sponsor. She says thank you so much for being my sponsor and she hopes to meet you one day. She usually prays for you. She wishes you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. May Almighty God bless you so much and thanks for the letters. 

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This next letter is also from Kenya. This time, a letter from Baraka, who recently graduated from using the templates. It appears as if he's still having a project worker help him write this letter. Not much is said in this particular letter, but I imagine there will be a little bit of a transition period as he works on writing things for himself, versus answering pre-written questions. 

Baraka is 9 year old and wrote this letter on October 22nd, 2018. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Baraka greets you in Jesus' name. He appreciates your letter very much and says he is doing well in school and at home. He also says his family members are doing well too. He thanks you for sharing pictures and says he enjoyed them very much. He says he thanks you a lot for the support you give to him and he wishes you God's blessings in your endeavors. 

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We finally are leaving the country and venturing somewhere new. ;) 

Up next is a letter from Enmanuel. To me, he comes across as boy of simple pleasures. A boy after my own heart. Seems to just find joy in the little things. 

Enmanuel is 10 years old, lives in the Dominican Republic, and wrote this letter on October 31st, 2018. 

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Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

God bless you. How are you? My family and I are doing well. I am healthy. I am doing well in school also. I have been playing baseball with my friends, which is a lot of fun. How have you been lately? What have you and your family done lately? I request your prayers for my mother. 

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Last up for today is a letter from Kelvin, who is writing to me on the About Me template. 

Kelvin is 8 years old and is from Indonesia. His letter is dated October 29th, 2018. 

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1. In my family, I am the: 3rd child 

2. One thing I do really well is: **Something was written, but not translated** 

3. My height: 116 cm 

4. My weight: 25.5 kg 

5. My hair is: Straight 

6. One thing I really like to do is: Go to student church 

Shalom Kayla, 

I was happy to receive your letters and read the stories in which you sent. Thank you for replying to my letter. Thank you for your prayers. I am practicing for Christmas here. I join in the dance. That is all my letter. Lord Jesus bless you. I am looking forward to your next letter. 

Love & Greetings,

Kelvin

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Three Letter Tuesday: Volume 22

Let's just pretend that I didn't forget to post letters last Friday.

Just pretend.

Let's move forward.

Three letters for today!

We start with a letter entitled My Holiday/School Break and it comes from Airin.

Airin is 8 years old and lives in Indonesia. Her letter is dated October 15th, 2018.

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1. My school break is in the months of: June-July 

2. My school break lasts for: 36 days 

3. During my break, I often go to: My grandparent's house 

4. My favorite person to spend time with during my break is: My parents 

5. One person I would like to visit during my break in the future is: My sponsor 

Dearest Miss Kayla, Whom I Love in Jesus Christ, 

I am happy to meet you again through this letter. How are you doing? I hope you are well, as always. My family and I are well, as always, too. I am so happy because I have had my very long school break. I have enjoyed my holiday very much with my family. I pray that you will always be blessed in the Lord. Well, that is all for now. May the Lord Jesus bless you. 

With Love,

Airin

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Up next is a letter from Ernest. Again, it's the same letter that I always receive from him. He's nearing 14 now and still a project worker writes for him. And never really tells me anything. It's so unusual. I think I will try again, in my response, to ask for Ernest to start writing his own letters, and allowed to write whatever he wants. 

Ernest is 13 years old, lives in Ghana, and wrote this letter on September 18th, 2018. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Ernest says he is blessed to be part of your family. He says he has been promoted at school. He says he is always happy to receive letters from you. He says pray for him to live long. He says may God continue to bless you and protect you. 

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Today's final letter comes from Dennis. He wrote this letter on the How I Have Fun template. 

Dennis is 8 years old and is from Kenya. His letter is dated October 22nd, 2018. 

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1. During free time, I like to play: Football 

2. My favorite activity is: Singing 

3. When I am outside, I like to: Clean around the compound 

4. When I am inside, I like to: Clean utensils 

5. One sport I like is: Handball 

6. I usually play with: My friends 

7. When I am bored, I like to: Sleep 

8. One fun thing I like to do is: Look after the cattle 

Dennis greets you in Jesus's name! He appreciates your letter very much. He says he is doing well at school and at home. He says his family members are also doing well. He thanks you very much for the support you give him and wishes you God's blessings in your endeavors. 

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Three Letter Tuesday: Volume 21

I don't have an witty intro today.

It's so cold here and it's making me tired and a bit grouchy.

But letters are fun and need no real introduction.

Today's first letter comes from Jonathan. He's responding to a letter that I wrote to him about the day that I accepted Jesus as my savior. I have to admit, I don't even remember when I wrote this letter, but I think it was a very long time ago. Not sure what took it so long to arrive to him, but I'm glad it did!

Jonathan is 9 years old, from Burkina Faso, and his letter is dated October 6th, 2018.

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Dear Kayla, 

Hello! How are you? Thank you for your support and love for me. I have received your letter and photos. In the photos I can see people playing broom-ball and a man standing next to the Sequoia tree. I like the fact that Sequoia trees are always together. I am happy that you have accepted the Lord Jesus as your Savior. I have also received Jesus; at the project during an evangelism session. The Lord Jesus is always with those who love and accept him as their personal Savior. I pray to God to help us to grow in faith with Jesus. I love you! 

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This next letter is also from Jonathan. :) 

It's also dated October 6th, 2018. Looks like he probably received two letters from me on the same day and had to answer them each separately. 

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Dear Kayla, 

How are you? Thank you so much for what you're doing for me and my family. I am writing to you to send you news from me. I am hopeful to receive your news. I got a new bike for this school year, which just started. I got a good grade last year and I'm so happy to write that to you in this letter. In my country, we are now harvesting corn, millet, and sorghum. The weather is very hot. How is the weather there? 

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We end today's letter adventure with a form letter from Carolin. This letter is titled My Country. I haven't seen a form letter about a country before. I quite like it! 

Carolin is 6 years old, lives in the Dominican Republic, and her letter is not dated. 

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1. What I like the most about my country are: The beaches 

2. What I dislike the most about my country is: The heat 

3. My favorite traditional dessert is: Coconut candy 

4. My flag is special because it has: Beautiful colors 

Dear Kayla, 

May God bless you very much. Carolin feels very grateful that you love her and feel appreciation for her, also for watching out for her. Pray for her family, her friends, and her. 

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