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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Five Letter (Almost Not) Friday: Volume 11

It is nearly 11 p.m as I begin to type this. I am not sure how I forgot about posting this. I blame the fact that I worked for hours and hours and hours this week getting everything ready in my preschool classroom. Last night was Open House and I met 24 beautiful new 3 year olds who I get the pleasure of teaching this year. Then I came home and collapsed in exhaustion. Then today, I worked at the daycare and completely forgot that it was even Friday.

So, let's see if I can type up 5 letters before it's midnight and it's no longer Friday.

Today's first letter comes from Jonathan who just seems to be responding to a few letters I wrote.

Jonathan is 9 years old, lives in Burkina Faso, and he wrote this letter on August 2nd, 2018.

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Hi Dear Kayla, 

How are you? What about your family? I am happy that your family members have good health. I hope they have that forever. I am fine with my family, thanks to God. I've moved up to the 4th grade. I am on vacation now. Thank you for the story of Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks. They are good advice. Thank you for the drawings and Bible verses. My favorite food is spaghetti. I like playing ball with my friends. Thank you for the letters. Goodbye! 

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The next letter is from another "J" boy. :)

Joseph is writing to me on a template titled "My Hopes for the Future." Little dreams for a little dreamer. I love that.

Joseph is 7 years old, is from Guatemala, and his letter is dated July 2nd, 2018.

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1. The sport I would like to practice is: Soccer 

2. I would like to travel to: Canada 

3. I would like to meet: Jesus Adrian Romero (Research tells me he's a Pastor and Christian music singer). 

4. The instrument I would like to play is: Drums 

Dear Sponsor, 

Your friend Joseph sends greetings and hopes you are in good health. He is very happy about being able to send you this letter. He hopes that you will like it once you read it. He wants to know what your favorite color is. Joseph says goodbye with joy, love, kisses, and hugs. 

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The letter in the middle of the party today is from sweet Celeste. She has such big dreams for the future. I just am so looking forward to how God will use her in the future. 

Celeste is 16 years old, is from Honduras, and she wrote this letter on July 31st, 2018. 

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Hello Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

It fills me with great joy to write you this letter. I hope that you and your beautiful family are in good health. I am very happy to write and draw for you. I really like the story of the Ugly Duckling. It is well known here too. I read it and it is very beautiful and I liked it a lot, as well as the drawings. Thank you very much! I want to tell you that I am doing very well in school and in a short time we will finish. I will continue with my studies to be a great person in the future. My great dream is to visit France. I am working hard to realize my biggest dream. Have you ever visited other countries? Which ones? Which countries would you like to visit? I want to ask you to always pray for me. I always pray for you. I say goodbye with lots of love and many hugs and kisses to you and your family. God bless you. I love you! 

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The next letter of the day is from Zenebu. Her letter template is titled "My House." 

Zenebu is 7 years old, lives in Ethiopia, and she wrote this letter on July 26th, 2018. 

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1. I live in a: Town 

2. In my house I sleep: In my bed 

3. I get water from: The tap 

4. My house is made of: Wood 

5. My house has a floor made of: Mud 

6. My house has a roof made of: Iron Sheets 

7. Do I have electricity in my house?: Yes 

Please pray for my mother and I to live together. I received your letter. I like the drawing and the story. I'm glad you started following Jesus when you were 15 years old. I thank God because my mother came back home. 

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Today's last letter comes to us from Maria. 

Maria is 13 years old and she lives in Brazil. Her letter is dated July 12th, 2018. 

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Hello Dear Sponsor, 

How are you? My family and I are fine. I'm on vacation now. I enjoy my days at home. There are also times that I hang out with my friends. We had a field trip to SESC and it was nice. Thank you for the letters that you sent to me. You asked me about my grades. Thanks to God, my grades are great in every single subject! Here is a verse for your meditation - John 14:6. I'll pray for you and your students. Please pray for my family. 

Love,

Maria

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Another Slew of Photo Updates!

Last month, I wrote a post of a ton of photo updates. I am completely shocked and extremely happy to be able to write another post like it this month. I've received so many photo updates lately! It's pretty wonderful.

Dagim from Ethiopia

Faith from Kenya

Joseph from Guatemala

Jhonrex from Philippines 

Jule from Rwanda

Kamaldine from Burkina Faso

Marilyn from El Salvador

Sandra from Uganda

Shakilla from Rwanda

Tern from Thailand

Tumbu from Kenya

Yeidys from Colombia 

Assorted Template Letters from Little Boys

Yesterday I posted a bunch of letters from some of my wonderful girls. Today I was going to post letters from just boys, in general. However, I have so many boys that I am going to split the letters in half. Little boys today and older guys in a few days. I am certainly blessed with so many letters! I will be responding to all of these recent letters this week. It'll be a big, but fun undertaking!

Let's start this adventure with a little from little Hassan, who is writing to me on the template titled "My Friends." 

Hassan is 5 years old, lives in Tanzania, and wrote this letter on April 14th, 2018. 

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1. Some of my friends are: Samuel, Michael, and Samson

2. Activities I do with my friends are: Play football and drive toy cars

3. Do your friends go to school with you?: No 

4. My best friend is: Michael 

5. My best friend is special because: He teaches me how to ride a bicycle and he gives me toy cars to drive. 

6. Does your best friend go to the project with you?: No 

Hassan greets you so much and he and his family are doing well. He says he is quite happy to have a friend like you. He is now in the Kindergarten class and is learning to read and write. He says he is now able to pray and he prays for you. He says that at the project center they read Bible story. His favorite story is David and Goliath. He asks you, "Do you know any Bible stories?" He asks you to pray for him. 

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Next is a letter from little guy is his traditional colorful outfit; Jacque! In this letter, he telling me about his family. Love these letter templates. There is just something so special about learning my kids' family members' names.

Jacque is 4 years years old and is from Togo. His letter is dated April 13th, 2018.

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1. My siblings from oldest to youngest are: Souvenir, Josue, Assisse

2. In my family I spend the most time with: My mother

3. Extended family members that live with me are: Zougoudou & Amavi

4. My family lives in a: Rural region

5. My food is prepared by: My mother 

6. My favorite ways to help my family is: Washing dishes & sweeping the floor

7. Please pray for me for the following needs: Spiritual and financial 

Thank you for choosing me. Please pray for me to be healthy. 

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We're onto a letter from Cedrick, who is writing to me on the My Typical Week template. He seems like a busy little guy, doesn't he? :) 

Cedrick is 7 years old and lives in Rwanda. His letter is dated April 23rd, 2018. 

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1. I typically get up at: 6:00 a.m 

2. In the morning I typically: Drink porridge and take a shower 

3. In the evening I typically: Fetch water and go to bed 

4. I typically go to sleep at: 8:00 p.m 

5. My favorite day of the week is: Sunday because I go to church with my family 

Cedrick's family greets you in the name of Jesus Christ. We are thankful for the gift you sent to us. It made us happy and we were able to buy a goat. He was happy to read the story about the goats. He is happy every time they read it for him. In our country we are in the heavy rainy season and our crops are still healthy. We had a wonderful Easter. May God bless you. 

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Up next is a letter from Joseph, who is writing to me on the My Favorites template. He also sent a lovely picture of him with his mother, simply because I asked him to send a family photo, if he could. I always love asking for family photos. Usually, it doesn't pan out, but when it does, it's oh so wonderful!

Joseph is 6 years old, from Guatemala, and he wrote this letter on February 27th, 2018.

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1. My favorite food is: Beans, Eggs, Noodles

2. My favorite drink is: Milk, Water, Coffee 

3. My favorite color is: Blue & Yellow 

4. My favorite Bible character is: Noah & Jonah 

Dear Sponsor, 

Joseph sends his greetings. He hopes you are doing well. He has been doing well. He likes playing soccer. He had a great Christmas with lots of great food. He wishes you can pray for his relatives and for him so that God blesses them all. Hugs!

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The last letter for today comes from Rodrigo. He is telling me about his most recent dental checkup. Thank God that Compassion cares for our kids' medical care. I am so grateful to them for that. 

Rodrigo is 8 years old, lives in Bolivia, and he wrote this letter on March 22nd, 2018. 

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1. My last dental checkup was in: September 2017 

2. For my dental checkup I went to: A health center 

3. The following people went to my dental checkup with me: My mom 

4. At my dental checkup, I needed treatment in: 3 teeth 

5. At my dental checkup I learned: To brush my teeth after I eat and not eat too much candy 

Dear Kayla, 

In answer to your question, I am doing well. I am studying hard. I spent Christmas with my family. At the Compassion project I learned about Jesus and I'm doing well at memorizing Bible verses. My parents are Catholic. I will pray for you. I say goodbye with much affection. I ask you to pray for my parents, my uncles, and my aunts. Also for me that I will do well in my studies. 

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End of 2017 Letters: Part 3

I just realized, on the third and what I thought would be the final post of my letters for the year, and then I remembered that 2017 actually does not end after Christmas, haha, but December still has a week until it ends. I very well could get letters before the end of the year. Oh well...I tried, haha.

But, if I don't receive more letters before the end of the year, this will be my final letter post of 2017. It'll be a mystery, haha.

Let's start today's post with a letter from Marinelis. She is another child that I had an instant connection with. It's hard to explain because I love all of my Compassion kids so much, but there are those few that I just feel a special connection to. If you're a Compassion sponsor, I think you understand.

Marinelis is 15 years old and lives in the Dominican Republic. Her letter is dated October 30th, 2017.

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Dear Kayla, 

How are you and your family? I hope you're fine. How is the weather over there? I started a beauty course and I'm doing really well, thanks to God. At the project, they help me to pay for it, and at school, I'm doing well. I hope that you pray for me as I pray for you. My mom is going to start a business where I live, if it's God's will. How is Brandilyn? Brandilyn got married? How are the kids you take care of? Thank you for all the letters you have sent me. 

With Love,

Marinelis 

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Now a letter from a little guy; Joseph. He is telling me a little bit more about what he does at school. 

Joseph is 6 years old and lives in Guatemala. His letter is dated November 29th, 2017. 

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1. Do I got to school? Yes 

2. At school I learn how to: Sing

3. At recess time I like to: Play 

4. At break time I like to eat: Juice 

Dear Sponsor,

Joseph greets you with much love. He thanks you for the letters. He enjoyed the pictures very much and he now gives answers to your questions. Yes, he has seen a sun eclipse. Weather here is warm and most of the year we have hot days. He likes to place he lives because there are some ruins and some lakes. His mother's name is Yesenia. His grandfather's name is Jose and his father's name is Edgar. 

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Next, a letter from Nikko, who I've just watched grow and change immensely over the years. I'm so proud of all he's accomplished! 

Nikko is 18 years old and from the Philippines. His letter is dated October 10th, 2017. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Hello my friend! I'm glad to receive a letter from you again. I hope you are having a wonderful day. By the way, about your questions. First, I like to wear my favorite shoes and shirt. This morning, I ate bread and coffee for breakfast. We have a small house with only one room. Our project is a wide lot with trees all around it. It has three rooms made of wood and a small office for staff, made of concrete. It has a basketball court that is beside our church. Our church is made of wood. If I were given a free hour today, I would like to play with my friends. My family makes me laugh. My siblings and friends too. There are too many funny things that happen to me, I can't choose just one. I last attended a recognition party from the project. It was held at a local hotel here in the city. My best friend is also a student in our project. We are also neighbors. We grow together. The advice I give to younger children is to be a good person. Thank you for all your questions. What are your plans for this coming Christmas? Please continue to pray for me and my family to have good health. God bless! 

Love, 

Nikko 

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Now we get to hear from Jonathan and learn about some of his favorite things. :) 

Jonathan is 8 years old and lives in Burkina Faso. He wrote this letter on November 25th, 2017. 

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1. My favorite food is: Salad 

2. The color I like best is: Green

3. My favorite sport is: Soccer 

4. My best friend is: Donald 

5. My favorite Bible hero is: Abraham 

Dear Kayla, 

It is on behalf of Jonathan that I'm writing this letter to you. He is very happy because he received letters and a gift too. Please pray for his little sister who is sick. She has wounds in her mouth. He wishes you a merry Christmas 2017. Goodbye. 

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Two more letters to go! Whew! 

This next letter is from Mariela. Her and I are coming up on our one-year anniversary together. :) I'm so grateful to know her. 

Mariela is 12 years old and lives in El Salvador. Her letter was written on November 28th, 2017. 

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Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

Greetings and blessings to you. How have you been? I hope with all my heart that when you read this letter, you will be enjoying many blessings from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I want to tell you that you are always in each of my prayers, for God to keep you safe and bless you always. I want to tell you a bit about my learning at the project. At the project, I am in a math reinforcement class and I have also learned courtesy habits, such as greeting others on sight. They have also taught me to believe in Jesus , to go to church, and to love my family. I want to thank you for what you do for me and for the letter you sent me. I ask you to always pray for God to keep me safe and to bless me. Good bye with much love. 

With Much Love,

Mariela

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And we have reached the end of the letter blogging marathon. We end this series of posts with a letter from Jhon. The two of us go way back and I just recently found out that his graduation from the project has been extended, so we get to keep writing to each other. Whoo hoo! 

Jhon is 18 years old and is from Bolivia. His letter is dated November 17th, 2017. 

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Hello Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

I greet you with the peace of our Lord. My family and I are in good health. I have just arrived home from my trip to Chile. I visited my aunts and cousins. I also worked. I did well in my work. I was living with my aunt. Every Saturday, I helped my aunt sell things at the fair. I enjoyed Chile's climate. It is very hot here in Santa Cruz. It is not very hot there in Pica. The weather is cool. I met my father's sister. It was a lovely reunion. I met my cousins that I did not know. I had a great time with my cousins. I am going to apply for the GAP program at the project. I will celebrate Christmas and New Year's Day here with my family. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Blessings. My prayer request is for my family, for me, and for those that don't have anything to eat or drink. I say goodbye for now with the peace of our Lord. 

Love,

Jhon

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Letter Blogging Purge

September was another banner month for letters! It's not really surprising when you write to as many kids as I do, of course, but taking on the task of blogging every letter sure takes a lot more work. I love having all of my letters in one place, though, so the show must go on!

We'll see how many letters I can blog. My goal is five, so if you read five letters, I succeeded. If I got tired of typing or got distracted, you'll see less than five.

The first letter of this blog just so happens to be a first letter from my boy Anju, who I was assigned to in the summer. It's a pretty great first letter, as far as letters go. I did take quite awhile to get to me, though.

You can tell when it's been awhile, if ever, since a child has received a letter, when they start off their very first letter by saying "I love you."

Anju is 13 years old and lives in Indonesia. His letter is dated July 31st, 2017.

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Shalom Kayla, 

I love you. How are you? I just recovered from an illness. I got a high fever for a week and suffered from Dengue Fever. I went to the doctor and took medicine regularly. I am better now. Today, I started going back to school. I have graduated from primary school and I am now in 7th grade. I am happy to go to a new school. I study at Valentine Private Middle School. I am happy to meet many new friends. My seatmate is Riki. He is a good friend. Do you have a good friend, Kayla? Please write me back. Please pray for me. 

Love, 

Edwin Anju

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Now, a letter from little Joseph. In this letter, I learned more about his most recent medical checkup. He is also answering one of my latest questions, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" in just about the cutest way he possibly could. 

Joseph is 6 years old and lives in Guatemala. He wrote this letter on August 24th, 2017. 

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1. My last medical checkup was on: May 20th, 2017 

2. My last medical checkup was held at: The project 

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

4. At my project, I learn about: How to wash my hands, how to brush my teeth, and how to take a bath. 

Dear Sponsor, 

Joseph sends greetings with a lot of love. He is happy about sending this letter. He wants to thank you for what you sent him. He says that he really liked it! To answers your questions: he says that he likes living with his parents and does not want to grow big. In school, he likes coloring and drawing. He wants to know if you are in good health. 

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This next letter got to me super fast, in just about one week from the day it was written. Pretty amazing, if I do say so myself. 

This letter is from Gary who has quickly grown to have my heart. From his first letter, he has been so open and great at sharing details. It makes writing back to him so easy as we have so many things to talk about. These teenagers sure do write great letters. 

Gary is 16 years old and lives in Nicaragua. His letter is dated September 11th, 2017. 

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Hi Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

I say thanks for your sponsorship. I say thanks for your letters and prayers. I loved knowing about your country. I loved to know about the eagle and football. It's fascinating to know about your culture and the different animals. Congratulations because of Independence Day! I am so glad to know that you have a new job that you love. I am glad to know that Gage and Chloe are studying hard in school. I hope to hear more about them. I want to tell you that their are many volcanoes and lakes in my country. There is the Xolotlan Lake, one of the largest lakes in Central America. The national bird of my country is the guardabarranco. Our national flag has two colors; white and blue. There is a crest in the center of flag; there are five volcanoes on it. They represent the five countries of Central America. We celebrate Independence Day on September 15th. I ask you to pray for my family. I will be praying for you. I say goodbye with so much love. 

Gary

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Let's move onto letters from some young ladies, shall we? Balance out the testosterone a bit, haha. 

This letter is from Agness. She is answering one of my question list letters with her own list. Gotta love that. 

Agness is 14 years old and lives in Tanzania. Her letter is dated September 11th, 2017. 

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Dear Kayla, 

I'm happy to hear that you are fine. I would like to answer your questions, as follows: 

1. Yes, I can draw. 

2. I have seen the Lord being the hope in times of sorrow. 

3. I like wearing a track suit and rubber shoes. I like eating rice and meat. 

4. Our house has big grounds. We have mango trees and five rooms for family usage. Our center is going on well and we are being taught many things. Now, I know how to sew my own skirts. 

5. I can use the verses for meditation

6. Anything that is playable I can play (Not sure what that means)

7. I have won a medal for being the first place in a racing competition. 

8. The last day of school was August 5th, 2017. 

9. My best friend is Juma Mustapha. 

10. My advice is to know God and make him the leader of your life. 

11. Yes, I will pray so that he obeys because obeying is better than sacrifice. And in Ephesians 6:1, is says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." 

My plan is to become a lawyer. Please tell Gage and Chloe that I love them and miss them. 

Yours,

Agness 

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Oh look, I made it to five letters! Go me! 

We end with a letter from Jhayra. It's a super long letter and will wrap up this blog post quite nicely, I think! 

Jhayra is 10 years old and lives in Peru. She wrote this letter on August 24th, 2017. 

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Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

I greet you in the name of Jesus. I thank you for the letter you sent to me. Thank you for the pictures, drawings, and the map of your country. I like everything you tell me about your life. We celebrate Children's Day on August 20th in Peru. Some children go out with their families and some go to camps. My mom's name is Raquel, my dad's name is Jhon. We also celebrate Valentine's Day on the same day as you. Boyfriends and girlfriends give gifts to each other and they walk around holding hands. Jesus died because he loves us. Huancayo is the province that I live it and we did not have mudslides. Lima had strong mudslides, which is the capital of my country. I am doing well in my community and Jesus makes me happy. It makes me happy when my mom hugs me and gives me a kiss. I am afraid of the dark. I can play the drums. If I am being honest, I look more like my father. When I get older, I would like to be a gynecologist and obstetrician. I am right handed. I help my mom cook, clean the kitchen, sweep, and wash clothes. I like to play volleyball and do crafts. My favorite animal is the kangaroo, the cat, and the dog. My favorite color is violet. My favorite food is Chinese rice. I say goodbye with a strong hug and kiss. With love. 

Your Sponsored Child,
Jhayra

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