Five Letter Friday: Volume 19

Friday, Friday, eh?

The preschoolers wore me out today.

I came home from school and promptly fell asleep.

Now it's time to blog some sweet letters from some sweet kiddos.

We'll begin with a letter from Dagim. He didn't have too much to say, but every letter from every child is always such a gift.

Dagim is 10 years old, lives in Ethiopia, and his letter is dated September 12th, 2018.

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Dear Kayla, 

My family and I are very well. I thank you so much for your support. I'm so happy. I love your story. At the project, I learned good knowledge about obeying. I will soon start 6th grade education. Please pray for me. Thanks for the Pinocchio story. Please pray for my academic excellence. I would be happy if you write another letter. I love you so much. I wish you all the best. 

Dagim

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The next letter is from Prity. I always love when my kiddos ask me about my "activities". I think sometimes kids forget that a lot of adults don't really have "activities". I pretty much go to work and then come home. Every day. ;) 

Prity is 9 years old and lives in Indonesia. Her letter is dated September 25th, 2018. 

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Dearest Sister Kayla, 

How are you doing? I really hope that you and your family are doing well and that you're all healthy, just like me. I'd like very much for you to keep supporting me. I keep going to school and then I help my parents with cleaning after school. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I go to the project. Please keep praying for me to remain healthy and do my activities well What are your activities now? Thank you so much for your letters. I always get excited to keep in touch with you. That's all for now. May Jesus continue to bless us all. 

Much Love,

Prity

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Now we'll hear from Daniel, who lives in the jungle of Ecuador. He is writing to me on the letter template titled My Hobbies and Pets. 

Daniel is 8 years old and he wrote this letter on September 18th, 2018. 

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1. My favorite hobby is: Playing hide and seek 

2. I enjoy by hobby with: My neighbor 

3. Do you have a pet?: Yes, a dog 

4. It's name is: Chiripa 

5. I practice my hobby: Every day 

6. Please pray for: My parents and their jobs

7. I want to thank you for: My school supplies and schools 

I also want to say that I love you and the weather is warm here. I love you. 

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But wait, there's more! 

Up next, a letter from Maria. She is such a wonderful girl. I'm so glad to know her. 

Maria is 14 years and lives in Brazil. Her letter is dated September 13th, 2018. 

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Hello Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

How are you and your family? Thank God mine and I are well. There have been several interesting school projects. My tests are coming up and then high school. I'll change schools and I might not study with my friends. But I do hope to keep in touch with them. Thank you for the letter you sent to me about Jack and the Beanstalk. The pictures are so cool and help me imagine. Hugs and kisses from your sponsored child. 

Maria Eduarda 

Psalm 91:7 "A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you." 

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The last letter for today comes from my girl Agness. It appears that she will soon be taking a very important exam. I wish her all the best! 

Agness is 14 years old, lives in Tanzania, and she wrote her letter on September 29th, 2018. 

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Dear Kayla, 

My hope is that you and your family are fine. Me and my family are in good health and have peace in life. Here for us, it is summer, but we are near to entering spring. When spring reaches, I like to grow maize and beans. I am doing well in my studies I am in four form. I expect to do national exams. I request you to pray to God so I can pass my exams. I'd like to thank you for the letter you sent to me. I loved the story you wrote to me It's so good. The story taught me to love children and other people. I ask you to say hello to Chloe and Gage. I pray for them to succeed in school. God bless you. 

Yours, 

Agness

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Five Letter Friday: Volume 9

It's the last day of summer for me and the school age kids.

It's Zoo-Field-Trip Day.

It's Walk-To-The-Bakery-To-Eat-A-Cookie Day.

It's Friday.

Let's start our day with five letters.

Let's start by hearing about Veronika's latest medical checkup.

Veronika is 8 years old, lives in Haiti, and she wrote this letter on June 11th, 2018.

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1. My last medical checkup was on: March 19th, 2018

2. For my medical checkup, I went to: A mobile clinic 

3. One thing that was done at my medical checkup was: I got an examination and was given medication 

4. This person went with me to my medical checkup: A parent 

5. During my medical checkup I felt: Content, but I was sick

Veronika is happy to write to you today and to greet you in the name of our Savior. How are you and your activities? As for her, she and her family are doing well, thanks to God. She thanks you for your support to her. She will keep praying to God to bless you. She thanks you for the beautiful story of the goats and the troll. Yes, she has a good relationship with her family. No, she has not accepted Jesus as her savior yet. What about you? She shares this Bible verse with you; John 3:14. 

God bless you!

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The next letter is up is a chatty one from Daniel, who is telling me about some of his favorite things. I love learning about the things my kiddos love best. It really shows off their personalities.

Daniel is 8 years old and is from Ecuador. His letter is dated June 16th, 2018.

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Dear Sponsor, 

This time, I want to tell you about some of my favorite things. My favorite sport is soccer. My favorite color is red. My favorite meal is potatoes with chicken. My best friend's name is Juan. The animal I like most is the dog. I want to thank you for sponsoring me and for writing to me. Please pray for my studies in the next new school year. I want to tell you that we are about to finish this school year and I have good grades. 

Daniel

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The letter in the middle today comes from one of my favorite (they're all my favorite) young men. He's super busy at this point of his life and doesn't write quite as often as he used to, but that just makes each letter that much more of a treasure. 

Jhon is 19 years old, lives in Bolivia, and he wrote this letter on July 18th, 2018. 

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Hello Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

I greet you with the peace of the Lord. Thank you for the story of the Ugly Duckling. Here in my country, we call it a fairy tale. My mom told me that story when I was 8 years old. The story is nice and it made me remember old days. I want to tell you that we had a sport competition at the project. It started on a Monday and ended on a Wednesday. On the first day, children from 6 to 8 years old played again another project. After that children from 8 to 10 years old, and so on. We won some games and lost some games. There were many observers of the competition because the ones that were not part of the project were not allowed to play. It was nice and we had a nice time, at least I did. My family and I are fine and healthy, thanks to God. I want to tell you that I am studying industrial informatics at an institute. I am in the first semester and I'm doing fine, for now. Please pray for my family and for any sick people. I say goodbye with the peace of the Lord. May God keep you and always take care of you. 

Jhon

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This next letter is from a lovely, young lady from Colombia; Yeidys. This letter makes me chuckle a bit because I get the impression that she has had some bad behavior in school, by the way she talks about her current behavior. I can certainly relate to that. ;) 

Yeidys is 13 years old and her letter is dated July 3rd, 2018. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Hello. How are you? May God bless you. I want to tell you about my dreams. I want you to know that someday I would like to go to New York. I would like to travel by plane to Paris. I also would like you to know that I want to be like Karol Sevilla, my favorite actress and singer. I would like to meet you someday and talk to you and know more about you. I also want to thank you in person for choosing me as your sponsored child and I want to give you a kiss and a hug. When I get older, I want to be a civil engineer. I want to help my family with my job because they always support and encourage me and they give me good advice. I also want you to know that I am healthy. Thanks to God, I am doing well in school and I'm behaving myself in school, thanks to God. I want to ask you to pray for me, as I have done for you. Thank you for the letters and pictures you send to me. You look so pretty and your mother too. To say goodbye, I want to share a Bible verse from Proverbs 31:10. 

Yeidys

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I end today's list of letters with a letter that comes with fabulous artwork. This letter comes from my girl Rujikorn. If you've been following my blog, you already know that Rujikorn's letters always come with amazing drawings. She really is quite talented. I just love when she draws landscapes of where she lives, which she did in this letter. 

Rujikorn is 14 years old, lives in Thailand, and her letter is dated July 13th, 2018. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Hello. I am thankful to you for the letter and photo I received from you. I like your storytelling so much. I am really interested in it. My family and I are doing well. I hope that you and everyone in your family are also doing well. I have fun going to school. I have done many entertainment activities with the project. There are sports too. Sometimes my friends and I attend the sports competitions against other projects. It is a lot of fun. I always attend activities at the project. I have learned different things; both in vocational training and spiritual training. It's very useful to me. I go to church every Sunday. My friends and I help lead the church service to give glory to God. I like your stories so much. Thank you for your love and for sharing everything with me. I like every story and the pictures that go along with them. I read them and they make me excited. I am thankful to God for meeting you. You are a person who gives me encouragement. You always pray for me. I would like to ask you to pray for my schooling and my parents' work. I keep you in my prayers always. May God protect you and give you strength always. 

With Love and Regards in Jesus Christ,

Rujikorn

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From the Field Friday: EC-271

It took us half a year, but we are in the home stretch of this From the Field series. I have just two letters remaining. Then what will I do on Fridays? I guess I'll find something. ;)

Today's letter is from project EC-271, which is the project that my boy Daniel attends in Ecuador. This project is in a jungle community and some of the details in this letter were really interesting to me.

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Dear Kayla,

It's a blessing to greet you in the name of Jesus. I am Bolivar Oswaldo Orejuela Reinoso, pastor of the church "Nazareno de Pindo" located in the Amazon Jungle of Ecuador. I also pastor the Compassion Child Development Center, "Horeb", ministering to Daniel. 

I immensely appreciate your kindness and sensitivity with the children. Your sponsorship of Daniel is very important. Although you don't feel it directly, you are already part of the life and development of Compassion children. Although you are not physically present, you live in the hearts of these children. 

The biggest challenge in our community is the preservation of families. Today there are many divorces, which directly affect children. Likewise, another of our challenges is fight against evil influences surrounding youth, which make them make bad decisions and rely on vices. The church takes up the challenge to rescue those lives and give them the opportunity to live better with guidance and hope. We work to train a new generation of children and youth in the service of God, which promotes a change in children and adolescents. One day, they will be presented to society as individuals, undamaged, with strong values and principles. 

I can see great changes in the young people at the Center. We work in their emotional and cognitive development and health care. For them it is very important to feel our concern and attention, this way we plant inside them security and recognition of God. Even despite some hostile family environments, they project themselves as servants of God, and excellent professionals serving community. All this we get thanks to volunteer church members who share this mission. The change in them is also seen in that they even carry their Bibles elsewhere, recognized as role models. For young people, the praise is the language by which they thank God. They also participate in all the activities we do together with families. These consist of contests, games, camping, festivals of talent, etc. 

The letters from sponsors are so important to the children. Through them they take the opportunity to share their achievements, dreams, and desires. The responses they receive are indispensable. They know they have a family figure on whom they can count, besides having someone who loves them and cares about their life. I have seen the face of happiness they have when they receive sponsor letters. However, I am also able to witness distressed faces when they don't. For this reason, I ask that you correspond with Daniel often. 

Our vision is that whole families come to know life through God and instill this in their children. So I want to invite you to become part of this dream of having healthy children in body, soul, and spirit. Young people who impact society, restore, integrate, and strengthen families. We fight every day to keep a nice, safe home for children. We do all of this with your help, through your prayers and mine. We hope to influence the lives and development of Compassion children, providing a secure future in Christ. 

I am very thankful to God that he has allowed me to share my dream with you, especially knowing that there are people who also love children, so I don't feel alone in this fight. Thanks for helping to create a healthy generation. 

With Deep Affection,

Pastor Bolivar Orejuela 

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Attempt Catch Up #1 (Template Letters)

I have been such a slacker when it comes to my blog, lately! I've received so many letters that need to be blogged, but I just keep forgetting.

This post is attempt #1 of me trying to catch up. There will probably be several of these posts. I plan to post one a day until all of my recent letters are posted. March has been a record month for letters!

Without further ado, let's begin:

I received a letter from Tern, written on the My Family template. There is just something so special about this little guy and his family. I hope that his financial sponsor is in it for the long-term. I would love to get to know Tern as he grows.

Tern is 5 years old and lives in Thailand. His letter is dated February 2nd, 2018.

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1. My family lives in: Rural region 

2. In my family, I spend most of my time with: My grandparents 

3. My favorite activity with my family is: Watching television 

4. My favorite way to help my family is: Cleaning the house 

5. My family's faith background is: Buddhism 

Dear Kayla, 

Hello. My name is Chuanchom, his aunt. He can't write by himself. Thank you for the letter. The project celebrated Children's Day on January 13th. There were many toys, games, Q&A, and performances. Does your country have Children's Day? Please pray for his studies. May God bless you with happiness. 

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The next letter is from Jonathan, written on the My Project Learning template. It sounds like he is learning quite a lot! 

Jonathan is 8 years old and from Burkina Faso. His letter is dated December 15th, 2017. 

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1. Explain what you are learning in the project: I learn to know the word of God. I learn activities such as football and speed races. 

2. What I have learned about hygiene and good manners: To sweep the house and keep it clean by cleaning it. I wash my clothes and I do the dishes for my mom. 

3. Two things I have learned in the project that I practice at home: I help mom do the cooking. I go and fetch water from the fountain for mom. 

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

Dear Kayla, 

Hi on behalf of Jonathan! He greets your whole family. He is taking exams right now and he finds them a little difficult. But he hopes to succeed by the grace of God. He thanks you for your letter, which comforted him so much. Goodbye! 

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Out next template letters is from Tamire. She wrote to me on the My Community template.

Tamire is 7 years old and from Ethiopia. This letter was written on November 15th, 2017.

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1. My community/village is called: Srti Town 

2. My community is located in: Oromia Region 

3. The population of my community is: 3,00 people 

4. A common job is my community is: Farming and Trade

5. A common type of transportation in my community is: Cart & Mule/Horse

6. People in my community speak: Afan Oromo 

Please pray for my studies and my health. I am very happy and thankful for your letter. I would like to thank you a lot for your support. Here the weather is hot. 

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The next sweet letter is written on the My Dreams template. It is written by my cute jungle boy, Daniel. 

Daniel is 8 years old and lives in Ecuador. He wrote this letter on January 8th, 2018. 

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1. I would like to travel to: The United States 

2. I would like to meet you because: I want to meet you and give you a hug

3. Someday I would like to be like: My parents 

4. When I grow up, I would like to a: Teacher

5. I want to thank you for: Always writing to me 

6. Please pray for: My parents and siblings 

7. I also want to say: I am studying. I am doing well. I go to the CDC. 

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This next letter is from Rodrigo and is written on the My Christian Learning template. He really shared a lot of greats details and filled up all the space. Go Rodrigo! 

Rodrigo is 7 years old and is from Bolivia. His letter is dated February 16th, 2018. 

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1. My favorite Bible story is: Adam & Eve

2. My favorite Bible person is: Jesus 

3. My favorite song to sing at my project is: We are Little Soldiers 

4. In my project I am learning: To sing and to paint Bible stories 

5. In my project I learned to pray: Before eating and before sleeping 

6. I learned about Jesus: He loves children and he died for us. 

Hello Dear Kayla, 

We greet you with the love of our great God. I am Jose, Rodrigo's tutor. We would like to thank you so much for your nice letters and photos. Answering some of your questions; Rodrigo is doing well and had a nice Christmas together with his family, exploding firecrackers and eating baked chicken. Cornucopia liked to listen to your letters about the cornucopia and about the big trees. Rodrigo is back to school and is glad to meet more friends. His prayer request is for his mom and dad to do well at their jobs. 

With Love and Affection, 

Rodrigo and Jose 

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If you can believe it, we still have three more template letters to go. I told you this was going to be a big attempt at catching up! Then I need to go respond to all these letters! 

This next letter is from Dedilhomme and is written on the About Me template. 

Dedilhomme is 6 years old and lives in Haiti. His letter was written on January 30th, 2018. 

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1. I was born in a locality called: Dupuy 

2. When I grow up, I would like to be a: Child Monitor 

3. The color of my hair is: Black 

4. The color of my eyes are: Black and white 

5. I am the 5th child out of 5 in my family. 

6. Currently I am living with: My father 

Dedilhomme is very happy to write to you. He says his school started in September and it is almost the same as last year. He goes to school from Monday to Friday. On Sunday he goes to the project. He is happy because he and Chloe have almost the same school schedule, except he gets to school at 8:00 and it ends at 12:50. He asks you to keep praying for him. 

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This next letter is from Nico and it's actually my very first letter from him! Whoo hoo! 

He wrote on the My Favorites template and included a long personal message at the end! 

Nico is 6 years old and lives in Indonesia. His letter is dated February 5th, 2018. 

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1. My favorite sport is: Soccer 

2. My favorite activity is: Playing 

3. My favorite way to help my family is: Making my bed 

4. My favorite Bible story is: Daniel 

Dear Sister Kayla, 

Greetings in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am so happy that I could reply to your letter. How are you and your family doing? I hope that you and your family are healthy and happy. My family and I are healthy. We thank you for sharing your stories with us, through your letters that you have sent to us. We are so happy to read your letters. Thank you for the gift you have sent us. We have used it buy rice and cabinets. Once again, thank you for sharing your blessings with our family. I hope that God will return your kindness with blessings to you and your family. 

Sister Kayla, I am in the 1st grade in elementary school. I can read now. I love to learn to read and draw. I also love to watch TV at home and ride bicycles with my friends. My favorite foods are rice, friend chicken, and french fries. I live with my mom named Vitha, my dad named Merko, my sister Casey, my grandma Diana, and my grandpa Fery. They love me very much. 

I am glad to know that I have a new friend, Lenin. Please say my greetings to Lenin. I pray for Lenin and his family too. My God always bless Lenin and his family. I am glad to be his friend. 

I want to ask you some questions. Do you work until night? Do you have a day off to go out with your family? 

That's all for now. I am kindly waiting for your reply letter. I hope that you will always be blessed and guided by God. Please pray for me and my family to be healthy and successful. I hope to make my parents proud. Thank you. 

Love,

Nico

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The last letter of this post is from Kamaldine. In this letter, she is telling me about the Festivals and Holidays in her country. 

Kamaldine is 6 years old and lives in Burkina Faso. Her letter is dated January 13th, 2018. 

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1. Our main National festivals and holidays are: Christmas, Tabaski, Easter, and Ramadan. 

2. My favorite holiday is Tabaski because we eat well. 

3. What do you enjoy doing on your favorite celebration day?: I wear nice clothes and shoes and play with my friends. 

4. The main events in my region are: Fair with exhibitions and games 

5. Tell how you celebrate Christmas in your project: We prepare some songs that we sing. 

Dear Kayla, 

I am very pleased to write you this letter. I received your letter and thank you for your wishes. I hope that you had a nice celebration. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Here, we resumed classes and I would like you to pray for me to have good success at school. Have a happy new year! 

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Daniel's Updated Photo: 2018

My boy seems to have really grown! And his face has really matured. They sure do change a lot in two years, don't they?

You can click on the photo to enlarge it, if you'd like to.

Template Letters for Miles!

In the past, I never used to write entire posts dedicated to template letters. I think it's probably because I've never had as many little kiddos as I do now. My ranks of kids under 8 sure have grown! Making whole posts for just template form letters seems to be a great way to stay organized. I have quite a few of them to share with you today, so here goes nothing!

Let's begin with a letter from Tern, who is from Thailand. His letter is written on the About Me template. The letter is dated September 30th, 2017. Tern is 5 years old.

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1. I am the only child in my family. 
2. My name was given to me by my: Grandparents
3. I am 107 cm tall. 
4. I weigh 16.6 kg
5. I am: Right-handed 
6. One thing I do really well is: Playing Sports 

Hello, 

I am Ms. Sabaiporn, a project staff member. I am writing to you on behalf of Tern. Tern would like to thank you for your letter. I'm now at his house. He most likes to wear an army outfit. He ate rice and grilled chicken today. His house is a two story house, in which the first floor is made of cement and the second floor is wood. In his spare time, he likes to go to the rice field and pretend to go fishing with his friend Tonkla. The project he's been attending is a church in which the second floor is used as a worship place and the bottom floor is used as classrooms for the children. Tern says he's never seen a solar eclipse before, but there have been eclipses in Thailand. The last party Tern went to was his distant cousin Bonus' birthday party. His grandmother would like to ask you to please pray for him as he often plays out in the rain. It's been raining here every day. Tern would like to ask what you do for a living. He also thanks you for supporting him. 

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Next is a letter from my little guy Dedilhomme (who I totally wish went by his middle name Antoine, for the sake of easy pronunciation), who lives in Haiti. This letter is all about his Typical Week.

Dedilhomme is 5 years old and he wrote this letter on September 25th, 2017.

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1. I typically get up at: 6:00 a.m

2. After waking up, the first thing I do is: Brush my teeth 

3. My favorite day of the week is: Saturday because I go to the project. 

4. In the afternoon, I typically: Study 

5. The days I go to the project are: Friday & Saturday

6. On Sunday, I typically: Go to church 

7. I typically go to sleep at: 7:00 p.m

Dedilhomme is glad to greet you in the name of the Living God. He is doing well and he hopes that you are too. He says he most likes to wear black clothes. He ate some rice today. The house where he lives has the shape of a triangle and it has three rooms. His project is under construction. They are building some new classrooms. It has an office too. There are now 5 classrooms. Dedilhomme says he likes to read in his spare time. He laughs with joy when he gets a new pair of shoes. The last time he attended a party was in June. His best friend's name is Makendy. The advice he gives to younger children is to not be unruly. May God bless you! Dedilhomme lives with his father and mother. He attends school Monday-Friday. His teacher is good because she is patient and tolerant. 

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Up next, a letter from Daniel, who is 7 years old and lives in Ecuador. He wrote about his Project Learning. His letter was written on September 9th, 2017.

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1. In my project, I'm learning about: The life of Jesus, his father God, and want he wants of me. 

2. On how to take care of my body, I've learned: Take a bath, brush my teeth, and not deal with strangers. 

3. I also want to say: Classes started and I trust in God. 

4. My tutor's name is: Rocio 

5. And she always teaches us: To pray, sing praises, and Bible verses 

6. My favorite activity that I've learned in the project is: To Paint

7. I ask you to pray for: My studies

8. I thank you for: Your letter and school supplies 

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Onto a letter from Tamire, who lives in Ethiopia. In her letter, she is telling me about her Hopes for the Future. Her letter is dated October 1st, 2017. 

On another note, I just do not understand the Ethiopian calendar. Somebody tried to explain to me why Ethiopia is six years behind the rest of the world, but I have no idea. 

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1. In the future, I hope to learn about: Teaching

2. In the future, I want to support: My family 

3. In the future, I hope to visit: A zoo/park 

4. When I grow up, I want to be: A teacher 

5. In the future, I hope to meet: My grandparent 

6. A skill I want to learn is: Knitting 

She asks for you to pray for her health and school. She is grateful for all your support. She is happy that the Ethiopian year 2010 has started. 

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This next letter is from Tumbu and is written on the My School template. I've received these letters from most of my Kenyan boys now and I just love the information that is included in it.

Tumbu is 6 years old and the letter is dated November 8th, 2017.

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Dear Kayla, 

1. I am in: Nursery school

2. My school is 3 km away from my home. 

3. The name of my school is: Muimi Primary School

4. I go to school by: Foot

5. The color of my uniform is: Sky blue shirt and blue shorts

6. My class teacher's name is: Mrs. Katheka 

7. My best friend is: Mbali 

8. The games we play in school are: Soccer & Singing Games 

9. The other activities this term are: Hide and Seek 

10. What I like the best about the school is: The building 

11. My favorite school subject is: Math 

12. After school I like to: Play with my friends 

Hello my dear friend Kayla. Tumbu salutes you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is very proud to write to you again. He informs you that he is doing well. He tells you that schools have closed for November/December holiday. His favorite clothes is a tracksuit. He loves you and prays for you and wishes you God's blessing. 

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Now we get to learn about Kamaldine's favorite things! Whoo hoo! She then answered a lot of my questions! 

Kamaldine is 5 years old and lives in Burkina Faso. Her letter is dated August 31st, 2017. 

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1. My favorite food is: Rice with sauce 

2. My favorite color is: Red

3. My favorite game/activity is: Jump Rope 

4. My best friend is: Alima

5. My favorite Bible hero is: David 

Dear Kayla, 

Hello. This letter is given to you to have my news. By the grace of your prayers, I have an average of 80, to pass in school. I'm in great joy to thank you for sending me a birthday gift. I bought a box of spaghetti, a box of oil, some milk, plus I opened a savings account. I ask the God Almighty to widen your limits. I'm going to answer your questions: 

1. I enjoy wearing t-shirts and skirts.

2. Today I have eaten some rice with sauce. Have you too? 

3. My house is made of cement. It has one bedroom and a living room. 

4. We plan to have a house with three bedrooms, a living room, plus a shower inside. 

5. At free time, I like to play with friends. 

6. I laugh when I watch cartoons. 

7. During my break this time, I traveled. On the bus, I saw nature so green because it is the rainy season. I saw merchants push around the bus when it stopped for a police check. There was so much noise. When I arrived, I met new friends and played. My maternal grandmother gave me gifts and cherished me. 

8. I took part in a celebration of marriage at home. My had joyful faces. 

9. My best friend is Alima. 

10. I will say to a younger child to not quarrel and to not insult siblings and to respect old people. 

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And lastly, a letter from Veronika, who is telling me about her Typical Week, just like Dedilhomme, which makes sense, since they are both from the same country, Haiti. 

Veronika is 7 years old and she wrote this letter on September 22nd, 2017. 

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1. I typically get up at: 6:00 a.m

2. After waking up, the first thing I do is: Pray to the Lord

3. My favorite day of the week is: Friday, because I go to school and to the project

4. In the afternoon, I typically: Study and do homework

5. The days I go to the project are: Friday & Saturday

6. On Sunday, I typically: Go to church 

7. I typically go to sleep at: 9:00 p.m

Dear Kayla, 

Veronika is very happy to write you this letter in the name of our Savior. How are you doing with your activities? She is doing very well with her activities. She thanks you for your support and prayers for her to be successful in everything that she does. She is praying for God to bless you. She wants to share this Bible verse with you: Genesis 1:1. It is very cold because we are in winter. She hopes God will bless you. 

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More Letters with Pretty Artwork

There is just something extra special about a drawing created by the work of my sponsored children's hands. I just love them so much.

First up, a letter from Ayling, who is 11 years old and lives in Nicaragua. She always writes letters with such great details about her life. She also always asks questions, which makes replying to her letters, and carrying on a conversation, very easy.

I am really in love with this letter, especially the drawing. There are studies done among young children and they have been done all over the world. There is a common among children, regardless of gender, socio-economic status, language, or country. Children that are healthy and well-adjusted commonly draw the same thing when given free space to draw. The draw a basic house, a tree, and a sun in the sky. Children that have been displaced or come from war-torn nations don't draw these things. 

Seriously. Look it up! It's amazing. 

Her letter is dated August 7th, 2017.

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Hello Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

I am happy to be in the project, and for having you as a sponsor, and also for your letters. My family and I are doing well. I also do well at school, In the afternoons, when I do not have classes at the project, I play with my friends and cousins. I enjoy learning Bible stories and I share them with my friends. I went to Salvador Allende Park with my mother in Managua. That place has changed a lot. How is your health? How are you? I wish you the best. I always pray for God to pour his blessings on you. Please pray for me and send more pictures. I say goodbye with love, hugs, and kisses. 

Fondly,

Ayling

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As others have sent me recently, I have received a My Typical Week letter template from another one of my Kenyan cuties. This time, from Baraka. He is 8 years old.

His letter is dated August 10th, 2017.

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1. I usually wake up at: 7:00 a.m

2. In the morning, I normally: Pray 

3. The days I attend school are: Monday-Friday

4. The name of my school is: Ndungumi Primary School

5. In the afternoon, I usually: Do my homework 

6. In the evening, I normally: Help my Parents  

7. I go to the project on: Saturday 

8. I typically go to sleep at: 7:00 p.m 

9. My favorite day of the week is: Saturday because I attend the project program.

10. The day I go to church is: Sunday 

11. The name of my church is: Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA)

Baraka greets you in the name of Jesus. He says he is doing well and appreciates your letter. He thanks you for your support. He wishes you God's blessing. 

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Remember when I talked about drawings of happy children (sure you do, it just happened)? Well, here is another one. :) 

It absolutely warms my heart to see my Daniel draw such a happy drawing. He even included a rainbow! Combined with his description of life, my heart is melting. 

Daniel is 7 years old and lives in Ecuador. His letter is dated June 22nd, 2017. 

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Dear Kayla, 

The weather currently where I live is sunny. My favorite weather is rainy because it's a happy day. On my birthday, the weather usually gets hot. I want to thank you for everything you do for me. At Christmas time, the weather is usually sunny. I also want to say that life is beautiful and there is love. I love you. Please pray for me, my siblings, and my mom and dad. 

Written By,

Daniel

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To end, a wonderfully long letter from Celeste. Since I first sponsored her, she has drawn me butterflies in every letter. Even though she has grown into a young lady now, it's good to see some things stay consistent. 

Celeste is 15 years old and is from Honduras. She wrote her letter on August 10th, 2017.

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Hello Dear and Beautiful Sponsor Kayla, 

I hope you and your family are doing well. It is a pleasure that your children have finished their school year and they are on vacation. They can learn many new things. Your children look very beautiful in the photos. They are very cute. I thank God that Chloe can celebrate another year of life. I wish her to have many more years filled with blessings. I hope you have good weather for them to play. I tell you that I am in 8th grade and the educational system in my country works like this: 3 years of preschool, elementary is from 1st-9th grade, and then high school is three years, 10th-12th. After that is University. I will pray the Lord that you can move to a new and better place. I haven't had the habit of saving money yet, but I will do it when I can work. One of my goals is to have success in the school year. My older sister graduated from University and is now working. My brother is studying for a Bachelor's. Your verse is very pretty. One of the greatest surprises I have is to have all of my family gathered together. I say goodbye with many hugs and kisses, though distance, with much love. 

Celeste 

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