Three Letter Tuesday: Volume 27

I almost forgot about today's post, because I got my days all mixed up. With yesterday being a day off of school, I spent much of today thinking it was Monday. I got back on track eventually.

Tomorrow is Wednesday. I will (hopefully) remember.

Today's first letter comes to us from Tern. He is writing this letter to me on the template called My Hobbies and Pets.

Tern is 6 years old, live in Thailand, and he wrote this letter on November 11th, 2018.

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1. Some of my hobbies are: Playing with friends & Playing games & sports 

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

3. Do you have a pet? No 

4. I would like to have as a pet: A Dog 

5. I would name my pet: Euro 

Dear Kayla, 

Hello. I am Ms. Chuanchom, an aunt of Tern. I'm writing on behalf of him because he can't write for himself. He is working on writing. His family now has one more member. His great aunt just delivered a daughter named Pukpang. She is now 2 months old. Tern had an opportunity to visit his parents who live in another province. His parents took him to the beach. He likes playing in the sea. He had a lot of fun. Do you travel often? The Christmas festival is coming. How do you prepare for Christmas? The church is preparing the children for a Christmas performance. Please pray for the preparation and for Tern's studying. May God bless you always. 

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Up next is a nice, joyful letter from Jonathan. I love hearing about how excited our Compassion kids get excited for Christmas. It's kind of fun to get these letters after Christmas and relive magic through a child's eyes. 

Jonathan is 10 years old and lives in Burkina Faso. His letter is dated December 8th, 2018. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Hello! How are you doing? I hope that you are doing well and that your family and everybody are doing very well. My family and I are doing very well, by the grace of God. I really like the story about the frog. The frog had fun after the princess kept her promises to the frog. Thank you for this funny story. I read the bible passage Luke 2:6-18 that you sent me. This verse is about the birth of Jesus Christ, our savior. The birth of Jesus is really a gift and a miracle that God sent to us. I wish you a merry Christmas! 

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Today's last letter comes from Emanise who, you guessed it, is also talking about Christmas. It's that time of year in sponsorship land. 

Emanise is 18 years old, lives in Haiti, and wrote this letter on December 23rd, 2018. 

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Dear Kayla, 

It is always a great pleasure for me every time I have the opportunity to write a letter to you. How are you and your family? How are your activities? As for me, everything is going well. I would like to let you know about my activities during this time of year. I tell you that I spent another wonderful Christmas celebration at the project. On Saturday the 15th, we had a wonderful Christmas celebration and it was amazing. We have been talking about the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Do you know about that? I will share it with many people. I thank you for your letters and your support. Please continue to pray for me and I will pray for you. Merry Christmas and happy new year 2019! 

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Three Letter Tuesday (On a Wednesday): Volume 15

Well, this week is getting away from me. I didn't even remember that yesterday was Tuesday. And it's going on 10:00 on Wednesday, but I still wanted to get this post out. I could have skipped it and started back up next week, but then my volume numbers would be off. Oh well. I made it 14 weeks without a mistake. I think that's pretty impressive. ;)

Here are three letters:

First up, a nice letter from Jhoyra, who is responding to some of the things that I've written to her.

Jhoyra is from Peru and just turned 12, though she was 11 years old when this letter was written. Her letter is dated August 23rd, 2018.

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Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I thank you for the letters and the pictures with the stories you sent me. I do know the story of Pinocchio because they told it to me when I was small child. It is a reflection story. Also the story of Jack and the Beanstalk had a nice message. Thank you for the stories you share with me. I had my school break. I traveled to San Ramon city, in the jungle, with my mom and my relatives. I also thank you for the picture of Yeidys. She looks pretty. We share some of the same things. Like her, I also go to church every Sunday. I promise I am going to pray for Yeidys. What sports does she like? I ask for your prayers for me and my family. I say goodbye with a hug. 

Jhoyra

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This next letter is from my girl Emanise. She is in her final year in secondary school and it appears that's it's all that's on her mind. I can remember my last year of high school It pretty much IS all I thought about. 

Emanise is 18 years old, lives in Haiti, and wrote this letter on August 27th, 2018. 

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Dear Kayla, 

I am so pleased every time I get to write to you. How are you, your health, and your activities? As for me, everything is going well with Jesus. I want to thank you for your support and your thoughts of me. This year, I am promoted to grade 13. Please remember to pray for me so that God will increase my intelligence and I can have a successful school year. I will be praying for you as well. Thank you for the letter and the picture you sent to me. Thanks for the story you told me. I really liked it because it contained moral lessons. 

Emanise

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Last up is a letter from one of my newbies. It is from my Raibel. He is writing to me on the My Favorite Sport template. 

Raibel is 7 years old and lives in the Dominican Republic. He wrote this letter on September 11th, 2018. 

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1. The sport I play most is: Baseball 

2. My favorite team is: Aguilas 

3. I practice my favorite sport on: A court at the park 

4. I play my favorite sport with: My friends 

5. My favorite sport player is: 

Hello Dear Kayla, 

May God bless you a lot in a special way. I write on behalf of Raibel. He is doing well, thanks a lot to you praying for him. He loves you and he prays for you and your family. Please pray that God protects him and his family. 

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Five Letter Friday: Volume 3

It's currently 11:00 p.m on Thursday night. I was going to head to bed and then I remembered that I vowed to start sharing five letters every Friday, mostly for my own sanity, but also because I think people may actually like to read them. ;)

Since I work pretty much all day, every day, I typically type up blog posts ahead of time and schedule them to post at a specific time. So I figured I couldn't just go to bed and get behind on this series, especially since this will only be the 3rd week... It's too early to fail on this plan. Here we go!

We start with a letter from Ernest. I typically don't get too many personal details from this guy, but this letter comes with the exciting news of a new sibling. Whoo hoo!

Ernest is 12 years old and he lives in Ghana. His letter is dated May 12th, 2018.

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Dear Kayla, 

Ernest says that he thanks you for your sponsorship. May God bless you. He says his mother has given birth to a baby boy. He says he loves the story that you sent him about the goats crossing the bridge. Ernest says that he wants you to pray to God for protection over his life and his family. He says he continues to pray for God to bless your family and bless your hands in your work and may He shine His face over you and your family. He shares Ephesians 6:1, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." 

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Next up is a letter from my little Tern, who recently had a photo update and is not actually so little anymore. Okay, he's still super little, age wise, but he seems to have gone through a growth spurt since his last photo. He writes this letter on the My House template. 

Tern is 5 years old, lives in Thailand, and he wrote this letter on April 24th, 2018. 

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1. In my house, I sleep on: A bed 

2. Is there electricity in my house: Yes 

3. I get food from: The market 

4. My house is made of: Half cement, half wood 

5. My house has a floor made of: Cement 

6. My house has a roof made of: Iron 

Dear Kayla, 

Hello, I am project staff writing to you on behalf of Title (Maybe another nickname? I've been given so many for him!). Now the school is closed for the holiday. He went to live with his parents in another province for the holiday. His parents took him to the ocean. He will come back again when school starts. Where are you going in the summer? Please pray for Title's studies as well. He will soon be going to 1st grade. May you be happy and may God bless you. 

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The next letter for today is from Yohannis, He seems to be quite the intelligent boy (and maybe a bit of an overachiever) in school. Good for him! 

Yohannis is 9 years old, lives in Ethiopia, and his letter is dated May 29th, 2018. 

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My Dear Beloved Kayla, 

How are you doing? Thanks to God, I am doing very well with my family. I like the song which says, "Children clap your hands and praise the Lord." Thank you very much for the Bible passage you shared with me from 1 Peter 3:15. I love you very much. I am attending my Grade 2 class well. I got 4th rank in the first semester. Now I am doing my best to score an even better result in the second semester and pass to Grade 3. I need your prayers as well. My little brother has grown now. I will send you his photo if you need it. Please pray for my education. Until my next letter, be well. Good bye. 

Yours,

Yohannis

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Now we just up a bit in age and hear from one of my young ladies. This letter from Emanise is a treasure. She asks some great questions that I am looking forward to answering. 

Emanise is 18 years old, she lives in Haiti and she wrote this letter on April 28th, 2018. 

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Dear Kayla, 

I take advantage of this opportunity to greet you. How are you, your friends, and your family doing? As for me, it is very well, thanks to God. I want to share a verse with you, from Psalm 39:14. How are Chloe and Gage? I'd like to hear about them. What's new? Do you have any new friends? May God keep you all your life long. Thank you for your support and for thinking of me. Thank you for the letters and gifts. Thank you for everything! I ask you to never forget or neglect me in your prayers. I'll pray for you as well. 

Your Friend,

Emanise

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We'll end today's post with a letter from Kwizera. This guy has certainly become chatty after all these years of us writing to each other. I have actually been hearing from him a lot lately, more than just every two months. Whoo hoo! 

Kwizera is 13 years old and he lives in Rwanda. He wrote this letter on May 17th, 2018. 

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Dear Kayla, 

I love you so much, my parent. I and my family foremost greet you in Jesus name. How are you doing? We love you so much. How is your country? Here, it is the rainy season and it is raining too heavily, destroying crops, houses, and killing people. At school, we are now in the 2nd term. I was very happy to see your photos. I was so glad to hear about the stories you've shared with me. May God bless you so much, my parent. Next year, I'll be promoted to Senior 3. I and my parents like that you write letters to send to us. I and my mother like the parable stories very much. The two parables we liked were the one about the girl who traveled to visit her grandmother and passed through a big forest, but before she left her mother warned her not to talk to anyone in the forest. I was very happy to hear that the girl did not get bitten by the wolf. I also loved the story about the 3 goats and the troll. The goats were attacked by the troll, but the big goat hit the troll with his horns. God protected the goats. 

Your Loved One, 

Kwizera

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Letters, Letters Everywhere

Just your typical run of the mill letter filled post. :)

We'll start with a letter from Marinelis, who is extra chatty in this letter. I have to admit, her dogs' names crack me up!

Marinelis is 15 years old and lives in the Dominican Republic. Her letter is dated April 4th, 2018.

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Hello Dear Friend, 

How are you? How is your family doing? I hope you're doing well. I am doing very well at school. I try to do my best effort. I don't know how to describe my dogs, but they are cute and nice. Their names are Chiquita 1 and Chiquita 2. I also have a cat named Missouri Brandilyn. 

You looked very cute and happy in your photo. I like your dress. Thank you for the pages to color you sent me. I once watched the Moana cartoon. I like the songs in Moana a lot. 

It has been awhile since we got to observe a solar eclipse in my country, like last year. They announced in the news that in order to observe the solar eclipse, you had to wear special glasses, to not harm your eyes. 

I like to wear dresses, long denim pants, and dresses. My house has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, and a dining room. The project I go to has 5 classrooms, 6 bathrooms, an office, a kitchen, a cafeteria, and a room where we hold special events. The church has two levels and it has a water plant. That's all I can describe. 

During my time off I like to talk to my friends. What makes me smile are the jokes of my friends. I liked the stories about when you were 15 years old. Especially the one about you attending camp. 

With Love,

Marinelis

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Onto a sweet letter from Kamaldine. In this letter, I get to learn more about some of the things she learns at her project. 

Kamaldine is 6 years old and lives in Burkina Faso. Her letter was written on October 7th, 2017 (I have NO idea what took it so long to arrive). 

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1. Explain what you are learning at the project: Songs like "God, God, may your name be praised." 

2. What I have learned about hygiene and good manners: Brushing teeth everyday, always wearing clean clothes, washing everyday. 

3. Two things that I have learned in the project that I practice at home: Singing and washing hands with soap before every meal. 

4. What motivates me to attend the center activities: Bible stories 

Dear Kayla, 

Hello! It is great for me to write to you. How are you doing? Everyone is well here and my family says hello. How is Zenebu in Ethiopia? I think of her. Thank you for the coloring pages that helped me improve myself. About the play, there were the roles of mother who is cooking, the father who went to the field, and the one who is selling in the market. I have never seen a solar eclipse. I hope to see one someday. See you soon! 

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Next is a letter from Emanise. I don't hear from this young woman very often, but it's always a treat when I do. 

Emanise is 18 years old, from Haiti, and she wrote this letter on January 30th, 2018. 

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Dear Kayla, 

I don't have enough words to tell you how happy I am to write to you. First of all, I want to greet you. How are you, your family, and friends? As for me, everything is going well. I now answer your questions. 1. I like wearing blue pants, white t-shirts, and black sneakers. 2. Today I have eaten spaghetti. 3. My house is made with bricks and a thin roof. It has 2 rooms. 4. My project is very beautiful. It has a school and a church. 5. If I have extra time today, I will continue to read a book that I started. 6. The most enjoyable thing for me is to spend time with friends. 7. The last party I went to was on January 19th. 8. My best friend's name is Charles. 9. My advice for young people is to go to school and church. Thank you for your pictures, letters, and gift. I used it to buy clothes. I am glad to hear from you about Nikko, Gage, Chloe, and your family. Please pray that God gives me more intelligence. I will always pray for you and your family. 

Your Friend,

Kayla

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It's onto another form letter, this time from Kelvin. He is telling me a few things about his house. It's fun to picture him inside of his house, living his day to day life. 

Kelvin is 7 years old and he is from Indonesia. His letter is dated April 3rd, 2018. 

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1. I get water from: The well 

2. The walls of my house are made of: Bricks 

3. In my house I Do have electricity. 

4. I wash my clothes in: My bathroom 

5. My house has a ceramic tile floor 

6. My house has a iron sheet roof 

Hi Kayla, 

I was so happy to get your letter. I believe that God loves me more than anything. When I miss my mother's hug, I pray to God. Kayla, thank you for being a friend in my life. I go to the project every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday on a Sunday I join in the worship service. In my village, we have our annual party in May. All the people celebrate it and gather our harvest. All are happy and thankful to God. Kayla, thank you and I hope God blesses you always. 

Love, 

Kelvin

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Now I share a very short letter from Enmanuel. Honestly, it's kind of funny how much he seems to dislike writing. Funny guy, for sure. He definitely has things he would rather be doing. 

Enmanuel is 10 years old and is from the Dominican Republic. He wrote this letter on April 4th, 2018. 

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Hello Dear Kayla, 

May God bless you. How are you? I am well, thank God. How are you spending your time? Here we are having a weather change that is causing many viruses and sicknesses. I ask you to pray for me and my family. 

Enmanuel

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Three Photo Updates: Emanise, Baraka, and Muzuro

Three mornings in a row this week I woke up to a new photo of one of my kids. It has definitely been a great week!

Emanise sure has grown up since I first started corresponding with her! I love her new photo with the professional blazer. She looks like an adult! ;) 

I think Baraka looks pretty similar to his previous photo, but he sure is handsome. Kiddos don't change too much in looks in that middle childhood range. I bet I'll see a change in him in his next photo, though! 

Looks like Muzuro ditched the school uniform in his latest photo. I love the bright blue on his shirt and the bright look in his eyes. What a great guy he is. 

Letters from the Caribbean

I have three letters to share with you today from a wonder island in the Caribbean. Yes, it's one island, but two countries. :)

The Dominican Republic and Haiti! Whoo hoo!

The first letter is from Enmanuel in the DR. A lot of my kids lately are answering questions from the latest long list of questions. I always love when my kids answer questions like this. Most are simple, but it really helps me visualize better how they live their day to day lives.

Enmanuel is 9 years old. His letter is not dated.

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Dear Kayla, 

Hello! May God bless you so much! I am very well, thanks to God. I am glad to write to you again. Regarding your questions: my favorite clothing is my school uniform. What I ate today was rice, beans, and meat. My house is made of wood and has 3 rooms. The project I attend is made of concrete blocks and has 10 classrooms and 4 restrooms. At recess time, I play. A joke makes me laugh. I ask you to pray for me and my family. 

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Now we move onto two lovely teens from Haiti. We'll start with Sevenson, who just has some basic info to tell me in this letter. 

Sevenson is 16 years old. His letter is dated August 14th, 2017. 

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Dear Kayla, 

It is a real pleasure to write this letter to you, in God's name. How are you? I think all is well, in Jesus's name. My family is fine, thanks to God. My school and my other activities are going well. Pray that I'll always be regular in the project activities. Wouldn't you like to visit Haiti? Thanks for the letter and information. Thanks for the photos. Pray that I'll always succeed at school. 

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And we'll end this post with a letter from Emanise. Over the last year, Emanise has really developed into a great letter writer. She seems very interested in topics like politics and geography. She enjoys when I tell her more about the United States. 

Emanise is 18 years old and wrote her letter on September 9th, 2017. 

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Dear Kayla,

Good morning, Kayla. How are your health doing? How is your family doing? How are your activities going? For me and my family, all is well. I am happy to read your letter with excitement and I thank you because you take care to tell me about the weather and temperature in your country. Even if I do not visit the country you live in, it enables me to have an idea about the country you live in. In my country now, it gets hot and the schools are closed. But, as I write you this letter, it is the week that the schools will open again. It is always a pleasure for me each time that I find the chance to write to you and to learn more from you. Thank you for the tree pictures and thank you so much for the letter. Thank you because you always think of me. I ask you to lift my family in your prayers and I will do the same for you. 

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From the Field Family: Haiti

To start off September, we get to read a very special letter. This letter is written by the man who runs the programs in Haiti. Haiti just happens to be the longest-running current program in Compassion. The very first country that Compassion worked in is Korea, which has long since graduated and is now a partner country! There are also other countries have have opened and closed since then. However, Haiti's program started in 1968 and is still running today. Sometimes, progress is slow, but consistent. Positive change is being made!

I currently have three children in Haiti: Emanise, Sevenson, & Veronika,

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Dear Kayla, 

My name is Guilbaud Saint-Cyr and I have been serving as the Compassion Haiti country director for 13 years now. The ministry of Compassion began in Haiti in 1968. The Lord has currently blessed us with more than 100,000 registered children in partnership with about 300 local churches. 

Guilbaud Saint-Cyr

We are so grateful for the enthusiastic and generous contribution you have provided to your sponsored children. Our committed sponsors enable children to have hope and a future and to participate in effective programs designed to shape their lives so they can become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults. 

One vivid is a young man who lived in the poverty of Solino, one of the largest and most dangerous slums in Haiti. One of five children in a family that struggled to meet their basic needs, he became a Compassion-sponsored child at an early age. Through the programs, he had access to quality education, Bible training, medical and food support, and income-generating training. Eventually he attained a bachelor's degree in administration in a prestigious university in Haiti and a master's degree in discipleship from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Today, he is ministering to children in the community where he grew up, reaching out to gang members by modeling the way. He not only meets the needs of his nuclear family and extended family, but he also chose to sponsor two little boys through Compassion - one from his former child development center and another from Colombia. 

A Slum Neighborhood in Haiti

We have several priorities for the coming year. As a strong and growing ministry in Haiti, we plan to reinforce our partnerships by equipping our church partners with new technology for timely processing and delivery of child information to sponsors, and by helping them serve more children. We are also considering partnerships with new denominations in the regions we already operate in to serve the high volume of new children we foresee in the future. 

Children in Their Compassion Classroom 

We will continue to implement our WaSH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), started a year ago, consisting of providing water, sanitation and hygiene supplies, coupled with education and awareness training. We can save lives and enhance child development through WaSH initiatives. We are completing our pilot phase with 12 centers and can already see the great impact of the strategy. Our vision is to implement WaSH in all our centers throughout the country. 

Children Learning in Their Compassion Classroom 

We are developing a new youth-development strategy to enable all our eligible high-finishing students to fulfill their inner calling and potential through higher education, and transition the current Leadership Development Program model to a broader, integrated approach under the responsibility of churches. 

We are fighting tirelessly to eradicate poverty, this evil that takes away our precious children's hope, dignity, and joy of living. We firmly believe that what happens in the life of a child ripples throughout their environment now and in the future. Each sponsor letter and word of encouragement has untold impact on a child and gives that child back hope, dignity, and joy. Please write your children as often as you can. 

A Girl Writing a Letter to Her Sponsor 

Please pray that God's wisdom will lead us to be more effective in carrying out this ministry of releasing one child at a time from poverty in Jesus' name. Changed environments may help children, but transformed children will inevitably change their environments. Let us continue to band together to make this happen for the glory of God. 

Children Playing on the Playground at Their Compassion Project 

All these great accomplishments and initiatives have been made possible because of wonderful sponsors like you. Thank you again for your partnership and for your commitment to your sponsored children; this is a battle we can't win without you. 

In Jesus,

Guilbaud Saint-Cyr

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Happy June Letters

Actually, three of these letters were received during the last days of May and only one is from this month, but let's pretend that's not the case, so my title makes sense. Just play along! 

I will start off from a letter from my sweet Maria. She is giving me a glimpse into her life and interests and I love that.

Maria is 12 years old and lives in Brazil. Her letter is dated May 2nd, 2017. I am just loving how quickly these letters are arriving. 

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Hello Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

How are you? I'm happy writing to you again. My family and I are doing okay. At school I am doing the 8th grade, with good grades. I have difficulties with mathematics but I am studying a lot to be better. I like studying geography. In my free time I like to go to the project to talk with my friends. Here I am doing computer and Bible study courses. For your meditation, read Proverbs 22:4, "Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life." I'm finishing this letter saying thanks to the Lord for you to do part of my life. May God bless you with health and peace. 

Hugs of your sponsored child, 

Maria 

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Next, I received a letter template from Bryan. I have really been hearing from him a lot lately. Much more than once every two months, that's for sure! This year, I have received letters from him in January, April, and now twice in May. I love that! However, this letter is several months old. It was one of those letters that got mixed up in the new system and is just now making it's way to me. 

This letter is written on the My Friends template. 

Bryan is 8 years old and lives in Nicaragua. He wrote this letter on December 4th, 2016. 

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1. What I like to do best with my friends is: Play 

2. My best friend's name is: Kevin 

3. My best friend is 10 years old. 

4. My best friend is special because: He plays with me 

5. I met my best friend at: School 

6. I meet with my best friend: At Home 

Hello Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

I am Bryan's tutor. The boy wants to tell you that he is happy that he is headed to 3rd grade of primary school. He says he will learn new things. He wants to know if you have a best friend. What is their name? He wants to tell you he loves you and sends you lots of kisses and hugs. Blessings! 

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Onto a letter from Emanise! This is the second letter I have received from her this month. The last letter I received from her was the result of an inquiry, as it had been almost a whole year since I heard from her. In that letter, I didn't really get any new information or good details, but today's letter is great! I have my chatty girl back, it seems! 

I love how she talks about the presidential election in her country. She seems like a very mature young lady. 

Emanise is 17 years old and lives in Haiti. This letter is dated February 20th, 2017. 

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Dear Kayla, 

I feel glad to write this letter to you. Before all, I do greet you. How are you and your whole family doing? As for me, everything is going well, thanks to God. Kayla, I have some questions for you. Why do you like to take care of children? Why do you love God? What is the name of your grandfather? Let me tell you about my country now. Last January 29th, we had the second round of the presidential election. The elected president took an oath on February 7th. His name is Jovenel Moise and he is 48 years old. He said, "My dear compatriots, the feeling that I have on this day, February 7th, is a feeling of humility." As summary, the president says that he and his team are going to try to accomplish great things. They are going to build more roads to encourage travel to the areas that were devastated by Cyclone Matthew. They also are going to build more schools. We all hope he keeps his promises. Kayla, I was glad to hear from you through your most recent letter. Please continue to pray for me to gain much more intelligence to do well in class. I pray the Lord Jesus, in his immense love, may watch over you and grant you to enjoy agreeable days. I am sharing Psalm 24:1 with you. Thank you for the Bible references. They help me to be on guard in in the Lord. Thank you, as well, for your letters. 

Emanise

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And to end, a letter from Nikko, who has always been one of my most chatty guys. I love this kiddo young man very much! This letter, like others, has been stuck in the system for a very long time. This one almost a year! 

Nikko is 18 years old and lives in the Philippines. His letter is dated Augsut 18th, 2016. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Hi! I received two letters from you, my friend. Thank you for writing to me again. Thank you for sharing Bible verses and thank you for sharing a great poem about friendship. Here, since I am talkative and friendly, I can consider that I have a lot of friends with me. Some are my neighbors. And yes, it is true that is good to have true friends. It was taught to us at the center also that we should be careful in choosing friends because it will influence us in either positive or negative ways. It is how bad company corrupts good character. I really hope that along the way, I will be able to choose good ones. I am still young and there are so many things I still have to experience and go through. I guess that would be one of my prayer requests to you. Also at the center, our previous activities were Recognition Day, summer outing, and the feeding program. I must say these activities were so much fun and memorable. How about you? What are your activities there? Thank you for all your prayers for my family. God bless you always. 

Love,

Nikko

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Type Letter, Be Happy. Repeat.

Apparently I only write in my blog on Fridays now. But seriously, I have a whole bunch of letters to share. No way I will be able to post them all in this one entry, but I can get a chunk typed up.

Do you ever just sit back and think about how happy each and every letter you get makes you? These letters bring me such joy. I love my kids so much!

First up, a letter from Emanise. I went nearly 12 full months to hear from her. Two inquiries later, here is a letter. I am not sure what the hold up was, but I am happy to have it.

Emanise is 17 years old and lives in Haiti. This letter was written on April 22nd, 2017.

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Dear Kayla, 

Nothing is greater than when I take my pen to write to you. How are you doing with your family and activities? As for me, all is going well and my activities are going well, by God's grace. Now I have some questions for you. How is your country doing? How are you church activities and your children? Also, I take this occasion to thank you for all your support towards me during this year. You give me great help and I ask God to protect you during your whole life. I thank you for your support toward me and your letters. I ask you to pray for me and for my family and for my country. I will do the same for you. 

Emanise

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Next, a letter from Rodrigo. This particular letter is on the My Hobbies and Pets template. This has been a pretty popular template lately, from various kids in various countries. I think it's a pretty fun template. 

Rodrigo is 7 years old and lives in Bolivia. He wrote this letter on his 7th birthday, which was April 16th, 2017. 

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1. The pet I have is: A dog and a cat 

2. My favorite pet is: My dog 

3. My pet's name is: Boby 

4. My favorite thing to do with my pet is: Play 

5. As a pet, I would like to have: Parrot 

Dear Kayla, 

I greet you with the peace of Lord Jesus Christ. I am the tutor. My name is Paul. Rodrigo wants to tell you that he is learning to play soccer at the Student Center. I say goodbye wishing you blessings. Please pray for his mom. 

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Onto a letter from little Daniel. He's not super little, but he's the youngest Daniel that I have. Hence, Little Daniel. He wrote this letter on the My Community template. 

Daniel is 7 years old and is from the Amazon Jungle, in Ecuador. His letter is dated February 21st, 2017. 

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1. The name of my community is: Puyo 

2. My community is located in the: Amazon Jungle 

3. The province where I live is: Pastaza 

4. I want to thank you for: Your sponsorship 

5. A common job is my community is: Laborer 

6. And it's about: Fixing and building houses 

7. A common type of transportation in my community is: Buses 

8. I also want to say: I always remember you in my prayers 

9. Please pray for: My studies 

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Onto a letter from Rebecca, who I have decided is my Super Star. All of my kids are special, of course, but I feel like Rebecca is really a star. She seems to have so many talents and the personality (and the smile) to light up an entire room. 

Rebecca is responding to me asking about her favorite food. For such a young girl, she really seems to know how to make it. I wonder if her dad helped her write this letter. :) 

Rebecca is 9 years old and lives in the Philippines. Her letter was written on April 29th, 2017. 

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Dear Ate Kayla, 

How are you and your family? It is summer here in our place. I do not know what is the coldest temperature here. There is no snow here because we only have two seasons: Wet and Dry. What's the feeling of playing in snow? The lesson I like in math class is division and learning of beautiful places in social studies. I like the food adobo, especially when my father cooks it. This is how you cook it. The ingredients are chicken (or pork), soy sauce, vinegar, oyster sauce, onion, garlic, ginger, bell pepper, salt, pepper, and sugar. First, wash the meat. Second, boil the meat with water until it's dry and then get the meat from the pan. Third, marinate the meat with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bell pepper, and pepper. Fourth, saute the garlic and onion. Fifth, pour the marinated meat and its sauce into a pan. Boil it until the meat gets tender. Flavor according to taste. Last, add the pepper leaves and sugar. Serve with rice. Thank you so much for your time in writing to me. I hope I can receive more letters from you because it is a joy to write letters to you. God bless us all. John 1:1, "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. 

Love, 

Rebecca

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Now, a letter from Acram, one of my newest sweet boys. I haven't been writing to him for very long at all and this is my very first letter from him. The letter is written on the Introduction Letter template, which is a treat because we aren't guaranteed to get this template letter from correspondent kids. 

Acram is 5 years old and lives in Tanzania. This letter was written on May 20th, 2017 (and I received it on the 22nd!). 

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1. I live: In a village 

2. My family members: Hamisi (Grandfather), Sanifa (Aunt), Saufa (Aunt)

3. My best friends are: Innocent Peter & Pendael 

4. If I could visit anywhere I would go: To the city to see the cars and the people 

5. My favorite things: 

             Subject: Math

             Food: Rice with Beans 

             Color: Black

             Game: Football 

             Bible Story: Moses 

             Song: Jesus Walked on the Water in Galilee 

Dear Kayla, 

Acram is very glad to have a sponsor. His family was also very glad and encouraged. Acram says God bless you more for the heart of love which you have shown to him. He says welcome to Tanzania! 

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I will end this long blog entry with a letter from Marinelis. This letter also got to me super quickly after it was written! The speed of which these letters are being delivered is truly blowing my mind. 

It appears that Marinelis has been sick. I do not yet know what she was diagnosed with, but I am so happy to know that she has Compassion to take care of her. 

Marinelis is 14 years old and lives in the Dominican Republic. She wrote her letter on May 16th, 2017. 

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Dear Kayla, 

How are you? How are your parents? I hope that everyone is well. Is there much snow still? I still have not turned 15, but I will on July 18th. I was sick from March 27th until April 3rd. I am receiving a treatment in Compassion. They helped me to buy pills. I have a monthly prescription. I like the photo of you ate age 15. You looked beautiful on your 15th birthday. I liked your hair very much. I would like that my mom would celebrate me, but I don't know if we are going to have a celebration. I have learned in the center about Jesus. He died for us on the cross for our sins. I am going to share a verse with you. 

Marinelis

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