An Informative Letter from Sadiya

I was surprised to receive a letter from Sadiya on Friday because it hasn't even been two months since I last heard from her. I love that she likes to write so often because it is definitely good to hear from her.

Sadiya doesn't write her own letters yet, so a tutor writes for her. I think the tutor writes very well and he does a great job sharing details about Sadiya's life.

________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Sponsor Kayla,

I, with Sadiya, greet you in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, who is our Lord. By the grace of God, through your prayers, Sadiya and her family are doing good here in India (New Delhi). Also hoping same about you. They were living in rental house for last five years in one place. But now, due to some reason the owner has told them to vacate the place, so they have gone to different place, a little farther from our project and they are doing good. She got pass in class 2nd and is not promoted to class 3rd. Sadiya is very good and regular in the project. She got medical checkup, like blood test. She also got some routine injections. 

She is very much fond of winter season, because here in India, there is no snowfall in North Delhi. And it's good to have some hot drinks and snacks. She doesn't like summer season because in North Delhi it's very hot. It goes to 48 degrees Celcius. (That's hot! 118 degrees F.)

Her school will remain off from second week of May - June last. 

Please do remember her and her family that they may grow in God. We do always praying for your love and support towards Sadiya. 

Yours in Christ Jesus

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

The First Letter from Khushi!

It's been a long time waiting for this letter. Just over 6 months. I became Khushi's correspondent sponsor on December 26th and I received her letter on Friday, July 5th.

Let me tell you, as far as first letters go, this one is absolutely wonderful. Khushi writes all in English and has pretty impeccable handwriting, spelling, and grammar. I wouldn't suspect that English is her second language at all. I learned in this letter that she is in 6th grade. She's only 9! That definitely explains why she writes so well.

In this letter, she also answers my questions for the letter I send to all of my new sponsor/correspondent children. I ask them all a list of questions about their home, community, school, and project. Khushi wrote two pages in this letter!

This letter was written on April 24th, so it took a little over 2 months to get to me. Not bad!

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Dear Sponsor Kayla,

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope you and your family is well. I am also fine with my family and my school is going well. Now I am in 6th grade in my school. I want to thank you very much for your letter. I received your letters and I learnt a lot from you. I enjoyed learning from you. I liked very much the story of Daniel that you shared with me. (I wrote about Daniel in the Lion's Den). Indeed, God is faithful and can do anything that seems impossible for us. 

I go to the project regularly. We are learning about how much God loves us. We also learn songs, bible stories, and activities. We just heard the story of creation and Noah from our project teacher.

Here, weather is beautiful. We live in a mountain village, so we don't have much heat, even in the summer. This is April. It has been raining for a couple of days. People in our village are collecting wheat crop. 

Here are answers for some of your questions asked to me on January 23rd, 2013. Yes, I do wear a uniform to my school. I stay at my school from 7:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. I get to my school by walking. It takes just 10 minutes for me to reach my school. I like all the subjects but my favorite is Hindi. My house is made of stones. I sleep on a bed. We get water in our community by hand pump and water tank. People travel in our community by walking. They also drive and some adults ride bikes. 162 children attend our Compassion project. 

Once again, thank you very much for sponsoring me. Thank you for your prayers. 

Yours,
Khushi

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Birthday Brothers from Two Different Countries

Today, I have two very special young men on my heart.

July 6th marks the birthday of two of my sponsored children. Both of these boys are 14 today.

14 years ago, on this day, two baby boys were born. They were born into two very different worlds. Karanja was born in Kenya. Florenc was born in Albania. Different countries, different cultures, different families, different religions even. Though, both of them share something.. They are both living in poverty. It turns out, poverty like this looks pretty similar all over the world.

Albania

Kenya

Fortunately, Florenc and Karnaja also share something else (besides a birth date). They are both sponsored children. A wonderful organization, working in the name of Jesus, came into their communities, and helped to begin turning things around. Now, these boys are able to receive the things they need to succeed in life. Physically, emotionally, educationally, and spiritually, they are being helped. 

I am so grateful for both World Vision and Compassion International for helping to give me the opportunity to be in these boys' lives. I thank God each day that he lead me to this special young men. 

Happy birthday, boys! I love you very much! 

39 Days!

Yes, you read that right, 39 days.

39 days until I drive to Chicago at 2 a.m.

39 days until I get on a plane to Miami.

39 days until I meet a group of Compassion sponsors.

39 days until I see my friend Brandilyn for the first time in person.

39 days until I board a plane to Honduras.

39 days until I step off a plane in Honduras.

39 days and I'll be one step closer to my precious girl, Celeste.

On this day:

- I have all of the gifts from friends who sponsor children in Honduras packed up in my suitcase

- I have decided that I am done buying gifts for Celeste. Her gifts are also packed into my suitcase. 

- I have panicked about my suitcase being over the weight limit. 

- I have imagined a scene in the airport where I am dumping things out of my suitcase to get it back under the weight limit. 

- I have convinced myself that my suitcase will not be over the weight limit. 

- I have not weighed my suitcase yet. 

Today, I also received my 2nd email from my trip leader. The 1st email came with a packing list and a list of things to bring along to play with the kids and help them do some crafts. Today's email, though, made everything feel so real. I saw a list of all of the sponsors that are going on the trip, I officially have a roommate (Brandilyn!), and I saw a list of all of the children being visited on child visit day. 

I just want to jump up and down for joy! 

Three Princesses from India Need Sponsors!

Along with the three precious Kenyan girls I shared with you a few days ago, I also have the packets for three sweet girls from India.

These girls have all been waiting over 10 months for a sponsor! 

If you want to sponsor any of these girls, please email me at Groth.Kayla@mail.ic.edu and let me know!

 

Isn't she so precious?!

This is Shreyashi. She is 6 years old. Her birthday is December 23rd. 

She lives with her father, mother, and 1 sibling. Her parents are both sometimes employed as laborers. Shreyashi helps at home by running errands. Playing house and playing with dolls are her favorite acitivities. In kindergarten, her performance is average and she also regularly attends church activities. 

  

This girlie's name is Monisha. She is 5 years old. She will turn 6 on July 14th. 

Monisha lives with her mother, who is sometimes employed as a laborer. Monisha helps her mother at home by running errands. For fun, she enjoys playing house and playing with dolls. She attends church activities regularly and is in primary school where her performance is average. 

 

This beautiful little girl is Mahalaxmi. She is 5 years old. Her birthday is September 21st. 

Mahalaxmi makes her home with her father, mother, and 2 siblings. Her parents are both sometimes employed as laborers. She helps at home by running errands and cleaning. As part of Compassion ministry, Mahalaxmi participates in church activities. She is also in preschool where her performance is average. Playing with dolls, hide-and-seek, and playing group games are her favorite activities. 

Jhon's Update: New Photo and Information

If you're like me, as a sponsor, you long for any new information and photos of your sponsored children. With Compassion, photos and information update between 18 and 24 months. When it hits the 18 month mark, I start stalking my account daily, hoping for that update.

Well, a few weeks ago, Jhon's photo updated and today, so did his information (the information always takes longer than the photo). Now, I share with you.

Jhon's photos: Age 10, 12, and now, 14

Close-Up of This Handsome Guy!

Jhon is now in 9th grade and has average performance. 

He now has a graduation date set: October 1st, 2017.

His family duties consist of running errands, making beds, and cleaning. 

His hobbies include soccer, volleyball, group games, and singing. 

He is still living with both of his parents. His father is still working as an electrician and his mother still maintains the home. 

I am glad to hear that Jhon is doing well and that he is succeeding in school. 

Sweet Little Kenyan Girls Need a Sponsor

As a Compassion advocate, I love that I am able to receive packets from Compassion of children who need loving sponsors. Every couple of months or so, I ask to receive new packets in the mail. Last week, I got the packets of these sweet little girls.

I ask you to prayerfully consider sponsoring one of these little girls. If you are interested in sponsoring one of them, you can email me at Groth.Kayla@mail.ic.edu and I will lead you through the process of sponsoring. Also feel free to email me if you have any questions about sponsoring. I love to answer questions!

 

This little girl is named Teresia. She is 3 years old. Her birthday is September 15th. 

She lives with her father, mother, and 3 siblings. Her father is sometimes employed as a farmer and her mother maintains the home. In her home, Teresia helps by helping in the kitchen. As part of Compassion ministry, Teresia participates in church activities. She is also in preschool where her performance is average. Playing ball games is her favorite activity. 

She has been waiting 8 months for a sponsor

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How cute is she?! 

This is Marrion. She is 4 years old. Her birthday is August 26th. Marrion lives with her father, mother, and 3 siblings. Her father is sometimes employed as a farmer and her mother maintains the home. Marrion's duties at home include helping in the kitchen. For fun, Marrion enjoys playing ball games. She attends church activities regularly and is in kindergarten where her performance is average. 

She has been waiting 8 months for a sponsor

 

This angel in white is Jesca. She is 6 years old. Her birthday is April 6th. 

Jesca lives with her father, mother, and 8 siblings. Her father is sometimes employed as a farmer and her mother maintains the home. At home, Jesca helps by caring for animals. Playing ball games is her favorite activity. In preschool her performance is average and she also attends church activities. 

She has been waiting 9 months for a sponsor

Happy Birthday September Babies!

In my sponsorship family, I have three children with birthdays in September. My latest correspondent child, Nikko, has his birthday in September, but due to him being a brand new member of my family, I decided to forgo sending him a package (until I can find out his interests) and I sent him an email instead.

The other two children with September birthdays are Khushi and Gemechu.

(Sorry for the blurry photo!)

My pal Gemechu, from Ethiopia, will turn 12 on September 12th. The dot-to-dot and the maze are probably too young for him, but I think they are pretty cool and I'm 24, so that has to count for something. I think he's really going to like the car coloring page. 

My Indian princess, Khushi, will turn 10 on September 24th. I decided to send her some princess themed items. I think the color page is so cute. The castle maze is pretty complicated, so I hope she enjoys it. The little sticker cards are from a Dover book that I took apart. Khushi can dress Cinderella in the sticker clothes. 

I think putting together little birthday packages is a really fun thing to do. I always like to choose a theme for each child, each year. 

Do any of your sponsored children have birthdays in September? 

Tales of Child Sponsorship Facebook Page!

Like I said, I now have a facebook page!

Check it out! Tales of Child Sponsorship Page.

I created this page for a few reasons. One reason was to get to know my blog readers. Let's be real, it's fun to see how many views my blog has each day, but, it's no fun to not get to know who's reading. Unless people leave a comment, I have no idea who has stopped by for a visit. I want to know you guys!

Another reason was to get my blog readers. Yes, I know this may sound like a selfish goal, but it's really not. The more people that read my blog, the more people get to hear about the great things that Compassion does. I want the whole world to know about how wonderful sponsoring children is!

Yet another reason for this page is for everyone to have a singular place to get together. A place to talk, to interact, to share their love of sponsoring children, to meet new friends. If you're like me, you don't have any friends "in real life" who sponsor children and anybody you try to talk to it about seems put off or unsure that it's a good idea or a worthy cause. It's always nice to talk to somebody who feels the same way as you do about something, especially when it's a common passion for Compassion.

Lastly, and probably the most important reason I created a Facebook page is to get more children sponsored. Anytime I receive a packet from Compassion, I will post the pictures and information of the child in my "Children Needing Sponsors" photo album. I'm hoping to see many children sponsored through my page! It would be amazing to see God move through this page.

Currently, I have 6 children posted in this album of children who need sponsors. All of these children have been waiting 8-10 months for a sponsor. I encourage you to visit the album and pray for these children. Maybe you're even meant to sponsor one of them!

I hope to see you on my page!

Touching Thursday

It's been quite a long time since I did a Touching Thursday post. There have just been too many other things to post about. However, I have not stopped being touched by the beautiful children on the Compassion page.

In particular, these three children have touched my heart a lot:

This first little boy is making my heart break out of my chest. If there was a way I could sponsor him, he would absolutely be mine. I love his almost grin and he's wearing a Monster shirt! Plus, his orange tinted hair is a sure sign of malnutrition. He looks like such a fun kid and his home/school situation is pretty difficult.

Name: Mail

Age: 9

Birthday: February 24th, 2004

Country: Indonesia

Guardian: Grandfather

# of Siblings: None

Chores: Gathering Firewood

Hobbies: Soccer

School Performance: Not Attending School

Compassion Activities: Church Activities 

He has been waiting 475 day for a sponsor

You can sponsor Mail here

Does it get any cuter than this? I think not! Her plain dress makes her face even more beautiful! 

Name: Yamini

Age: 5

Birthday: July 28th, 2007

Country: India 

Guardians: Father and Mother

# of Siblings: 1

Chores: Buying & Selling in the Market

Hobbies: Hide-and-Seek

School Performance: Average in Primary School

Compassion Activities: Church Activities

She has been waiting 291 days for a sponsor

You can sponsor Yamini here

Don't you just love his eyes? How expressive!

Name: Steven

Age: 6

Birthday: September 11th, 2006

Country: Honduras

Guardians: Father & Mother

# of Siblings: 3

Chores: Carrying Water, Gathering Firewood, & Running Errands

Hobbies: Soccer, Playing with Cars, Playing Group Games

School Performance: Average in Kindergarten

Compassion Activities: Church Activities

He has been waiting 291 to be sponsored

You can sponsor Steven here