Letters and Spring! Letters and Spring!

Woo hoo! It's spring, it's spring! Today it's almost 50 degrees! Snow is melting everywhere! I found four letters in my mailbox!

I'm just a little bit excited.

:)

I'll go ahead and just post the letters now. From youngest to oldest.

First up, a letter from Sadiya. She is 11 years old and lives in India. This letter was written on January 22nd, 2015.

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Dear Sponsor Kayla,

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ. Me and my family are good. I hope you are also fine. I received your letters and beautiful picture. I am very happy to know about you. The weather here is very cold. My studies are going well. I did not attend any weddings recently. Thank you for the stickers, I like them very much. In our project, everything is going well and also in this month, we have a sports day. I am going to participate in it. In the next month, we will go to a picnic from our project. I received Christmas gifts from our project: one cup, bed sheets, and casserole. Thank you very much. Please pray for my studies. I also pray for you. 

Yours Lovingly,

Sadiya

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Now I will share a letter from Sagitaria. She is 11 years old and lives in Indonesia. This letter is dated January 20th, 2015. 

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Dear Mama Kayla,

Shalom to you, mama Kayla. How are you? I hope you are fine. My family and I are fine. I thank you for sending me a letter. I am glad to write you a letter and meet you through a letter. I always go to the project and to Sunday school. Mama, please pray for my coming exams. Please pray that I pass and continue schooling. I hope after passing all school, I can help my parents financially. Mama, please pray that my parents will have a long life and blessings. Thanks. May God bless you. I love you. 

Sagitaria

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Next up, another letter from Florenc. He sure is on a writing kick, which I can't say I hate, haha. In a recent letter, I sent a letter to my kids asking them some fun questions, to get them thinking a little bit. I think if you look back a few months, you'd find the letter. In this letter, Florenc answers the questions. You can tell by his answers what the question is, so I won't type out what I asked.

Florenc is 15 years old and lives in Albania. He didn't date this letter.

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Hello! 

Your questions were really funny and I enjoyed reading them. I thought over these questions and here are the answers I wrote: 

1. If I could be invisible, I would do anything! Firstly, I would come and meet you. Secondly, I would help people in need, which is something I desire. 

2. The law that I would pass for my country would be to forbid people using harmful substances. 

3. To be honest with you, I don't think that I have any particular skill that would differ me from others, so I haven't ever won an award. 

4. I found out that you were my sponsor because World Vision told me. 

5. I like flowers, so if I had a garden, it would be full of multicolored flowers. 

6. I don't read too much, but I do like a book entitled, "Without Family". 

I hope you enjoy reading my responses as I enjoyed writing them. 

I love you very much too! 

From Your Friend,

Florenc

P.S Please write me back soon! I am curious to see what you are going to write back this time! Hahahaha! 

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Lastly, a short, but sweet, letter from Enatenesh. She is 17 years old and lives in Ethiopia. She wrote this letter on January 3rd, 2015. 

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Dear Kayla, 

How are you doing? I am doing fine. I hope that you are too. I wish you a happy birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ. I got clothes and shoes with your Christmas gift. I am attending class properly. I became a grade 7 student. I got shoes with your birthday gift. I have two brothers. The first one is a driver and the other one is a student. Thank you so much for your support. Until our next letter. Bye bye. I love you. 

Enatenesh 

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Another Wintry Day (Are you sick of hearing that yet?)

Today, my city awoke to lots and lots of ice. Basically the whole town shut down, all schools were closed and even State Farm (the biggest/most popular work location in town) had a late start, not opening until 9 a.m. I ended up with the day off, so that was exciting, I suppose.

But! I received two letters today!

First up, a letter from Xhuliano. For those of you that don't know, I work as nanny. I have tried to explain this to my kids, but most of them don't seem to understand what it means. In this letter, Xhuliano mentions the boy that I take care of as "your son." I think a lot of my sponsored kids think that G & C are my son and daughter. The sure are going to be surprised when they both start school and I no longer take care of them. Oh well!

I wrote to Xhuliano about attending G's 3rd birthday, which was at Chuck E. Cheese. He's responding to the games and the birthday crown.

Xhuliano is 14 years old and lives in Albania. He did not date his letter, but it must have been written sometime before December 25th.

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My Dear Friend, 

I'm very happy and glad that you, my friend, are part of my life. I'm very happy you share with me things of your life, like telling me about your son, G. I hope G is always happy in his life. All the games are very entertaining and I think G will understand better in the future, like I do now. When I saw the photo, the thing that impressed me the most was the crown that G was holding. It was very special. I hope I will have a nice day on December 28th (Xhuliano's Birthday), just like G. And I hope this year, my parents makes my wish come true. Christmas is getting closer and so is the new year. Our traditional dish for New Year's Eve is turkey, different kinds of sweets, and drinks. I'm ending this letter and I hope you will write to me soon. God bless you. I wish you good luck. 

With Love,

Xhuliano

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Then, I also received a letter from Eric. This letter game with an extra picture, just because, I think! It seems that his financial sponsor did send him some extra money, so perhaps the uniform Eric is wearing in this picture is what was purchased with the money, though it doesn't say that in the letter. 

When I first started corresponding with Eric, he was really struggling with school. At 16 years old, he was still in lower primary school with really low skills in writing and comprehension. He has really made leaps and bounds. He has about 2.5 years left in the program and his goal is to graduate from 8th grade. He seems he's going to make his goal! 

Eric is 19 years old and lives in Uganda. This letter was written on February 4th, 2015. 

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Dear Kayla, 

I thank you for giving some money to help me and my family. My mother is saying thank you from her and my brother Moses. How are you doing these days in 2015? How is your mother and your sister and her family? I was in holiday and had fun with my friends. Thank you so much for loving me and paying my school fees. My mother has eye problems and she can not see very well. Pray for her. I am promoted to Primary 6 this year. How is your life? Last year, our school took us to Kampala, which is the capital city. Do you know Kampala? What is the name of your president? Our president is His Excellency President Museveni Yoweri. How is your job of teaching? How is your church doing? I am happy to receive your letter, dear Kayla. I love you so much. May God bless you. 

Eric 

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Wintry Weekend Letters

In the wake of another winter storm (hopefully the last one!), I received two letters on Saturday. Yay!

First up, a letter from Fongwin. I laugh at this letter because every time Fongwin receives a financial gift, he always tells me that he bought "stuff" with the money. No elaboration whatsoever. Boys, eh?

Fongwin is 11 years old and lives in Thailand. He wrote this letter on November 3rd, 2014.

Side note, he's due for a new photo any day now!

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Dear Kayla, 

Hello sir (?). I am very glad to write to you again. Thank you so much for your kindness to me and my family. Thank you so much for sending me the birthday gift. I spent it on household stuff. My family and I are fine. How are you and your family? My second semester is going to start soon. My school performance is fair. I will study hard. My friends are fine. On the first semester's school vacation, my friends always visit me and we play together. The study in your country is almost the same as mine. I like to study Thai language. Have schools in your country started yet? In my hometown, it is winter. At night, the weather is cold. In the morning, it is foggy. Please kindly pray  for my study and my parents' work. May God bless you and your family forever. 

Love in Christ, 

Fongwin

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Then, I received a letter from Florenc. This is the 4th letter from Florenc this year and it's only been two months! In 2014, I only received four letters from Florenc, total, so this year is shaping up quite well, already. 

Florenc is 15 years old and lives in Albania. This letter is dated January 17th, 2015. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Hello, dear friend! My family and I are very happy to have you in our family. I hope everything goes well in the place you live in. My mum wishes you health and happiness, as well as many blessings for your family and friends. Best regards from all my family! 

On December 25th, my family and I went to my uncle's house, who lives in the city. We spent Christmas there. My uncle gave me a book to read as a Christmas present. He had prepared many delicious things for Christmas. My parents bought me a new jacket to wear to school. These were my gifts. 

I'm closing this letter now wishing you all the best. 

Looking forward to hearing from you soon! 

Florenc

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I Love Seeing Them Mature

Look at this handsome guy! My Chintada's photo updated yesterday! I love that you can really see how much he matures from photo to photo. Plus, I think pale purple might be his color.

You can click on the picture to make it much larger.

Midwest Winter: What They Don't Tell You

This post is not related to sponsoring children, or children in any way, for that matter. But, I planned it up and liked it and couldn't think of anywhere else to post it.

The other day, I got a letter from one of my pen pals, who happens to live in California (the warm part). She said something along the lines of "The winter here is getting bad because I had to wear a jacket outside and sweatpants to bed." I wanted to send her back a howler (happy potter fans?). Don't worry, I'm not really mad at her, I just came to realize that people that have lived in warmer climates their entire lives really don't know what winter is like. They picture winter as pretty snow, romantic fires, and hot chocolate. Sure, winter includes those things, but it turns out, life actually goes on during winter and there are several things we have to put up with that aren't exactly mentioned in the "Dream Winter Scenario".

1. Wind Chill

I wouldn't be a proper Midwesterner if I didn't mention wind chill. It is literally the bane of people's existence around here. We call the wind chill the "feels like" temperature. This is the temperature that your skin feels when it goes outside. It can be pretty ridiculous. For instance, I woke up this morning to this:

Oh, but look, the sun is out! That makes it so much better, right? Keep in mind, they don't cancel school around here until is gets to be around -25 wind chill. 

2. Car Parts

Did you know that parts of your car may actually not work in the extreme cold? Going out to your car, starting it up, and driving away sounds like one of the easiest jobs ever. However, in the cold, it's not that simple, on occasion. For example, when it's -18 degrees windchill, your engine has to run for a little while to work properly. I think I use half of my gas in the winter just letting my car run in the parking lot. On top of that, windshield washer fluid is only guaranteed to work until a certain temperature. For your information, -18 degrees is too cold. Lastly, do you remember, a long time ago, to high school chemistry class, when you learned that warm air moves into the area with cold air? Well, that happens with your tires too...

3. Ice Scraper

If, by some miracle, you get your car started and ready to go in the morning, chances are, you'll have to scrape the windows. This is basically an every morning thing. Some mornings are easier than others, depending on how heavy the frost was, but your ice scraper is pretty much your best friend in the winter. Don't waste time on the $1 ones. Spring for the one with the long hand and the snow brush.

4. Snow is Ugly! 

I know, I know, I'm popping the winter dream bubble. But, I live in a city. Snow is only pretty while it's falling. Then, people start driving around and it gets disgusting. This is what snow really looks like most of the winter: 

5. Black Ice

Such a fun part of winter! Black ice is a term for when a very thin layer of ice forms on the roads. It's so thin that it's basically impossible for drivers to see. However, it is just thick enough to prevent your car tires from gripping the road, causing your car to slide in pretty much any direction it feels like. If you've never experienced sliding sideways through a stop sign, then you probably don't live in the Midwest. 

6. Road Damage

Thankfully, I live in a city with an excellent snow removal team. That is one thing that I don't mind paying taxes for! The snow plow drivers in my town, after a snow storm, get out onto the roads around 2 a.m, so the roads are basically clear when it's time for everyone to commute to work. The snow plows use pounds and pounds and pounds of rock salt to melt ice and snow off the roads. Rock salt is amazing! However, the combination of the rock salt and the heavy plows, destroy the roads. The roads in the winter become riddled with pot holes. That's why you hear that joke "The Midwest has two seasons: Winter and Construction." 

7. Filthy Cars! 

Rock salt not only destroys roads, it makes your car filthy! You can pretty much expect your car to look awful from the day the first snow falls until the day it's warm enough to get a car wash. Usually, from about November to March, your car looks like this: 

8. Winter Road Conditions

Luckily, the great state of Illinois, and I'm sure other states in the Midwest, have a winter road conditions map. This becomes something people check often. It tells you exactly what to expect when it comes to driving somewhere. When the map is green, you don't have to leave early to go to work, as there is no snow and ice to worry about. 

Hooray! The roads where I live are clear! 

Well, I hope you enjoyed my little winter rant. It's all in good fun. It's off to work for me! 

Winter Blues Made Better

Today, under the threat of yet another snowstorm, I am officially fed up with winter. We've had ice, snow, freezing rain, and too many below zero days to count and I'm sick of it. We will most likely get another three or so inches of snow tonight, for me to scrape off my car in the morning. Blech!

But, my grouchy mood was elevated a bit when I found two letters in my mailbox. Letters and love from two sweet kids.

I'll first share my letter from Sadiya. She is 10 years old and lives in India. She wrote this letter on November 21st, 2014.

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Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ. I received your letter. I like to read your letters. Thank you very much for your photos. I received them. My studies are going well. My best subject is Hindi. This month my project provided me a school sweater. Christmas season is going to come. In our project, Christmas dance program practice is going on. I will participate in dance program. Pray for my family members. I also pray for your family. Thank you. 

Your Loving Sadiya

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I also got a letter from Derrick. It sure hasn't taken him long to get chatty in his letters. 

Derrick is 12 years old and lives in Uganda. He wrote this letter on January 12th, 2015. 

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Dear Kayla, 

I greet you in the name of Christ our Lord. I hope this letter will find you well. I am doing well now. We have holidays until early February. I am happy for the letter you wrote to me. I was happy to learn what is done in your area when a child loses a tooth. In our area when a child loses one of their teeth, he is told to put it where a rat will come and take it and put money in its place. The child keeps checking until he finds money and is very happy. 

How was your Christmas season? I had mine with my family members and on that day we went out as a family to watch some presenters. 

At my project I am in the football club. I am also in the hair dressing class where I am learning how to cut and trim hair. My teacher at the project taught us how to keep our bodies clean and about life skills to help us make good choices in life. 

My bible verse to share with you is Psalms 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." 

I thank you for being my friend and please keep on praying for me to be successful in my studies and to stay healthy. May God bless you for all your support and love. Happy new year. 

Derrick

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Weekend Letters

Good ol' President's Day. A mail holiday. Booo... Haha. But, I do also have a day off from work, so I figured I may as well post the three letters that I received on Saturday.

First up, I got a letter from Kwizera Yves. He lives in Rwanda and is 9 years old. This letter was written on November 17th, 2014.

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Dear Kayla, 

Beloved parent, I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. How are you doing? For me, I am well an my family is also well and they love you very much. At school, this previous term, I managed to obtain 78% marks and next year I will be joining Primary Five. My favorite subject in class is English. In Rwanda now, it is raining in plenty and due to this, our kitchen has collapsed so pray with us as to get another kitchen. Thank you and God bless you. I an my family thank you for the letter you recently sent to us. I send you greetings from my family too. I would like to thank you for the verses you sent me. We are now in holidays and God bless you. 

Yours Lovingly, 

Yves

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After that letter, I received two letters from East India, one from each of my kids there. I'll share Nandini's first. 

Nandini is 9 years old. She wrote this letter on December 10th, 2014. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Greetings to you in the sweet name of our our Lord Jesus. I am fine here. Thank you very much for your regular love, prayer, and support. I have given the half yearly exam. Please pray that a good result with come. Thank you very much for contacting me through letters. I am positioned in grade 3. I like to study more. I like to play the game hide and seek. I like to make pictures. My favorite bible verse is, "I am the way, truth, and life." Please pray for my bright future. 

Your Loving Child, 

Nandini

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Now, the letter from Chintada. Chintada is 18 years old. He wrote this letter on December 17th, 2014. 

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Dear Kayla, 

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ. I and my family are doing well by the great God. I hope and pray that everything will be going well with you. 

We will have a pre-Christmas program at the project, so we are preparing a new dance, songs, suits, and bible verse. We are decorating the stage colorfully. Do you prepare for this program? 

We had a competition at the project. I participated and learned many more things from this competition. It was very nice for me. (I wonder what kind of competition it was). 

Now, the weather is very cold here. What is the weather feeling like in you area? 

Please pray for me and my family. I am praying for you every day. 

Thanks. In Christ's Love,

Chintada

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It's Xhuliano's Turn!

Yesterday, I shared my two letters from Florenc and today, it is time to share the two letters that I received from Xhuliano.

Xhuliano is 14 years old and lives in Albania. His letters were not dated, but I think I am posting them in the correct order.

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Dear friend, 

I received your letter and it pleased me so much to hear from you. Here in my country it is too cold. 

In December, we celebrate the new year with fireworks. As a traditional food, we have turkey and baklava. On November 28-29 it was the Independence Day. We celebrated this day with the Albanians of Albania and the Albanians of Kosovo. And you? How do you celebrate the Christmas and the New Year? With who do you celebrate them? I celebrate them with my family. Here in my country it is too cold. What about there where you live? How is the weather there? I wish you good luck. 

Love, 

Xhuliano

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Hi my friend Kayla, 

How have you been? These days I am taking the holidays of the New Year. I will celebrate the New Year with my family. And you? How are you going to celebrate them? 

I hope you enjoyed Kristin's wedding. I liked your photos a lot. They look really nice. 

I wish to you and your family "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year." My birthday is on December 28th and I will celebrate it at my uncle's house. 

I'm ending this letter with so much love. 

Xhuliano

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Two Lovely Letters from Florenc

Today I received two letters each, from both of my Albanian young men. It is always so exciting to see that WV orange in my mailbox.

I always enjoy hearing from Florenc, but at the same time, his letters are typically heartbreaking, as well. He and his family really do go through a lot of struggle, especially with his mother's failing health. I really feel for Florenc, who is deeply affected by it all.

Florenc is 15 years old. This first letter was written on December 4th, 2014.

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Greetings my dear friend, 

I was very happy to receive two letters from you on the same day. I opened them and read them two times. Then I showed them to my parents who were very happy to hear from you. I know that my parents make the best efforts to give me the possibility to finish high school, so I'm very thankful to them. I'm doing my best to learn English at school. In this way, I'll be able to find a better job in the future and help my family. As for me, I'm in good health, but one day when I came home from school, I found my mother sick and I was really worried to see my mother laying in bed. My brother was there, staying near her, while my father had gone to call the doctor. So before the doctor came I did some chores and cleaned the house. My mom was very please and she asked me not to worry because she was going to be fine. The doctor came and gave her some injections and left. 

The weather is changing here and is getting colder. We have had some rainy days and some sunny days. I'm closing this letter with the best regards from me and my family. 

Lots of love from,

Florenc

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This next, short, letter was written on December 22nd, 2014. 

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My dear friend Kayla,

I was very happy to receive your letter and I was even happier when I opened and read it. After reading it, I showed it to my parents. After they read it they told me to write a letter back to you at once. 

I was glad to hear about G's birthday and my family and I wish him "Happy Birthday" and a long life! 

G's photo where he was eating his birthday cake was very nice. 

I'll write again soon, my friend. 

Lots of love,

Florenci 

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Great Info from my Colombian Boys

My two sweet Colombian boys, Caleb and Daniel, both attend the same project. Caleb writes on the form templates still and Daniel does not. However, they both are directed to write on the same basic topics, to start before they are allowed to write their own message.

This time, they shared what they like to do in their free time, a future goal, their favorite animals, and a pet they would like to have. I loved learning these things about my boys!

First up, Caleb's letter. He is 7 years old. He wrote this letter on December 2nd, 2014.

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Dear Sponsor Kayla, 

Cordial greetings to you from your friend. 

In my free time: I hang out with my family and my best friends

Someday I would like to: Speak and write English

My favorite animals are: the tiger, the horse, and the puma

I would like to have a dog as a pet. I would name it Motas. 

I am doing very well, thanks to God. I feel very happy for having you as my sponsor. I want you to know that we are currently on school holidays. What I like the most about my school is learning mathematics. I also want you to know that they bought a delicious cake and a beautiful present for my birthday. When is your birthday? I want to tell you that we will go to a farm located in Guayabetal to visit my dear family. My family sends their regards to you and my mom says that she prays a lot for you. We dedicate the following bible verse to you: Isaiah 58:11. 

Jonatan Caleb 

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Next up, a letter from Daniel. All of my sponsored kiddos are intelligent and have their own set of talents. However, I call Daniel my genius boy. He's currently in 3rd grade and is performing above average. He writes BRILLIANT letters. He describes himself eloquently and seems to love everything about learning. In this letter, I learned that his father is a musician and that really explains a lot to me. Children that are exposed to music have great starts in life. 

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Dear Kayla, 

My dear sponsor, I say hi to you affectionately. I am doing very well and I feel very happy for having you has my sponsor, thanks to God. I share my spare time with my family. I would like to learn how to pilot and airplane one day. My favorite animals are parrots, elephants, eagles, and birds. I would like to have a pet parrot and its name would be Rayo. I want to express my gratitude to you because you always want to know how I am doing at school. I feel very happy because I will go to fourth grade in elementary school next year. We are taking the following subjects at school: Spanish, mathematics, IT, natural science, social studies, art, religion, as well as English. The subject I like most is mathematics. I want to tell you that the church I am currently attending is organizing a musical project and the children will be able to learn how to play musical instruments, such as the guitar, the violin, the flute, the drums, the tambourine, and "El Charrasco". The best thing is that my father is going to teach the children attending this course. I would like to learn how to play the violin and the drums. Please pray a lot for this course to be completed. My family sends a lot of hugs and kisses to you. I would like to dedicate a precious bible verse to you, Psalm 27:1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, whom shall I fear?" Do you have a prayer request for me? I will pray for you. 

Juan Daniel

For those that are curious: El Charrasco

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