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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Photo Updates: October 2018

I have received several photo updates over the last few weeks and I'm happy to share them with you today! I just love watching my kids grow up.

Anny from Guatemala

Eduarda from Brazil 

Elvis from Kenya 

Jonathan from Burkina Faso 

Kevin from El Salvador

Milkias from Ethiopia 

Five Letter Friday: Volume 21

It was a crazy, but amazingly fun week with my preschoolers. I am so blessed to be a preschool teacher. I can truly say I love every minute of my job.

Then I get to come home and receive even more blessings from kids all over the world.

Even though some days can be difficult, I never have to look far to see how much God loves me. He puts so many great children in my life.

So, now that I'm sufficiently sappy, let's share five letters.

Even though I just shared a letter from him on Tuesday, I received another letter soon after from Hillary. This time, it is written on the How I Have Fun template.

Hillary is 8 years old, lives in Kenya, and he wrote this letter on September 6th, 2018.

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

2. My favorite activity is: English 

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

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

5. One sport I like to play is: Dance 

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: Listen to music 

Dear Kayla, 

I  am happy to receive your letter and learn more about you. I enjoy school and we will be doing our exams this month. Next year I will be in the next class. Be blessed. 

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Oh my sweet kiddos in Nicaragua. They truly all write such great letters. So full of details and love. 

This letter is from Bryan, who is 9 years old. His letter is dated September 29th, 2018. 

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Hello, 

God bless you, dear sponsor Kayla. I am the teacher of Bryan Alexander. The boy says he is very happy to be able to write this letter. He says you are very important for him because God put you in his way. He says he prays for you and your family every day, for God to bless you every day. He likes to go to the beach with his family. He likes to go to school because he can play with his classmates. He says he has good grades and he is happy for that, because he is going to pass the school year. He wants to tell you that in his country, they are going to celebrate Bible Day and he's very happy about that. He says goodbye with a big hug and kiss, wishing many blessings for you and your family. 

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Up next is a letter from Jhon. Lately, his letters haven't been extremely long, as they have in the past, which is understandable considering how busy he is nowadays. But, this letter was back to being chatty and long and I love it! 

Jhon is 19 years old and he lives in Bolivia. His letter is dated September 27th, 2018. 

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Hello Dear Kayla, 

I greet you with the peace of the Lord! I give you thanks for the stories. They are interesting. I enjoyed the pictures that you sent me. I'm happy that you're taking care of children. Let me tell you that I am doing well, thank God. At the moment, I am studying graphic design at the institute. I am doing well there. In the Compassion project, all of us who are in GAP do activities, for instance, evangelism. I also learned how to make cunape (A traditional form of cheesy bread in Bolivia). My family enjoys good health, thank God. I hope your family is the same. In the mornings, from Monday to Friday, I go to my school classes. In the afternoon, I work with my dad. We work as car mechanics. I am doing my best to learn, although I can get by with the little that I already know, but I want to learn more. Let me tell you that there is going to be a camp organized by GAP. It will take place on October 28th. I say goodbye with the peace of the Lord. May God bless you and your entire family. Please pray for my health and my studies. 

With Affection, 

Jhon

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We move onto a letter from Marinelis. She seems to have Christmas on the brain. Sounds like my preschoolers. ;) 

Marinelis is 16 years old and she lives in the Dominican Republic. This letter is not dated. 

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Dear Kayla, 

How are you and your family? I hope you are all doing well. How is the weather over there? Is it cold? Thank you for the letters and pictures you send me. They are all pretty. Here in my country, Christmas is coming near. I am very happy because it is my favorite holiday and the day Jesus was born. I share a lot with my family. I want to share about a movie I watched called The 48 Wishes of Christmas. It is about a girl who hated Christmas, who lived with her brother and parents. Her dad died and she started hating Christmas. Her mom told her to decorate with her brother, but she didn't want to do it. She ended up loving Christmas at the end, but I won't tell you the whole movie because it is very long. 

With Love,

Marinelis

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Our last letter of today comes from Ayling, another one of my chatty kiddos. This whole blog post is full of long, chatty letters. 

Ayling is 12 years old, lives in Nicaragua, and she wrote her letter on September 25th, 2018. 

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Hello Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

I hope you are in very good health, with your family. I thank you for the letter you sent me. May God continue to bless you. I want to tell you that I am doing very well in class. I soon will be given a certificate of discipleship. Soon it will the Day of the Bible. I am happy about that. I want to ask you some questions. Do you have a husband? What is your favorite pet? Are you praying for me? I hope you are. I am praying for you and your family. I share Psalm 107:1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." I say goodbye. 

Your Sponsored Friend,

Ayling

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Three Letter Tuesday: Volume 20

After my failure on Friday, it's time to get back on track.

Halloween craziness is over and my preschoolers and I have started a fun Fairy Tale unit for November. It's been a ton of fun, so far!

But as today is Tuesday, it is time to share three letters!

Our first letter today comes from sweet Hillary. He wrote his letter to me on the My Medical Check-Up template.

This particular letter makes me laugh. Awhile ago, I wrote to my kids about a family event that I had. To this event, my mom and my sister just happened to wear the same sweater, without planning it. I told my kids about it and sent a photo of the two of them together, with their matching sweaters. Hillary doesn't seem all that impressed. ;)

Hillary is 8 years old, lives in Kenya, and he wrote this letter on August 21st, 2018.

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1. My last medical checkup was on: August 13th 

2. The medical checkup was done at: The Baptist project 

3. I went to my medical checkup by: Bus 

4. I went to my medical checkup with: My mother 

5. About going to my medical checkup, I felt: Good 

6. One thing that was done at my medical checkup was: A screening 

7. At my medical checkup, the doctor said: I am okay 

8. At my medical checkup, I learned: How to be clean 

I am happy to receive your letter and learn more about your family's sweater. Sometimes I wear a rain coat while going to school. I enjoy school. We will be doing our exams this month. Next year, I will be in the next class. Be blessed. 

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The next letter just so happens to be my very first letter from Romli, who is one of the kids I took over for a friend. This particular letter comes with a photo, which is a wonderful way to start a new sponsorship, if I do say so myself! 

Romli is 17 years old and lives in Tanzania. His letter is dated October 10th, 2018. 

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Kayla, 

Praise the Lord Jesus. I have a great joy to write you this letter. I hope that you will receive it while you are fine. My family and I are fine. Are you and your family fine? I am thankful to God that I am proceeding well with my school studies and here at the project. Our teachers continue to teach us the Word of God. I would like to inform you that I am studying in form three at secondary school. I live with my mother and other relatives. I would like to know more about your family so that we can get to know each other more. I would also like to thank you for the great gift you were able to send me. I managed to buy cement and clothes, so I am thankful. May the heavenly God bless you in your activities. I will continue to pray for you so that God will give you a long life with joy and blessings. I love you so much, Kayla. 

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Our last letter from today comes from Rodrigo. His letter is on the template entitled My Project Learning. 

Rodrigo is 8 years old, from Bolivia, and his letter is dated September 27th, 2018. 

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1. My tutor is: Roxana 

2. In the spiritual area, I am learning about: God gives me talents

3. In the physical area, I am learning about: Taking care of my body because it belongs to God

4. In the social-emotional area, I am learning about: God gave me emotions 

5. In the cognitive area, I am learning about: Expressing myself verbally and with body language 

Dear Kayla, 

I am Roxana, Rodrigo's tutor. He thanks you for the letters, short stories, and pictures of you with Gage and Chloe. They are too beautiful, he says. To answer your question, Rodrigo will be praying for Gage and Chloe to do well in their new house and new school. Rodrigo asks you to pray for his mother, as she is beginning to get gastritis. She is receiving treatment with medical plants. 

With Love,

Rodrigo and Roxana

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Five Letter Friday: Volume 20 (Not Found)

:)

After a week of classroom craziness; surviving what I call the week of Pre-Halloween, Halloween, and Post-Halloween, I was absolutely too exhausted to write my usual Friday post.

However, as opposed to just skipping it, I decided to write a post like this, so that I can keep up with my pattern of volume numbers. I really didn't want to get the numbers off.

So...I took a break this Friday.

I will continue writing again next week.