Monday's Mail

This week I heard from three out of my four boys. Those three boys do seem to write often, in which I'm grateful. Two of them are absolutely amazing artist, while the youngest I do believe will be an up and coming artist as he ages.

First letter was from 12 year old Erick in Bolivia.

He tells me everything is going well at school in his classes and he will be done on November 30th. His cat Perla will be having two or three kittens and he is looking foward to it. He also mentions his dog Dumbo is sick because he cries when he walks; he has a bad foot he says. This kid loves his pets, and has told me about them in many letters! He hopes his dog will be better soon.

He also mentions celebrating students day in September  with delicoius food and dancing.

He draws such great people and uses so much color!

Then I received a letter from my almost 17 year old Jose David in Ecuador.

David tells me he is happy because he was promoted to his last year of high school. This sentence brought both joy, and sadness. I'm very happy he is doing so well, but sad as it confirms that his will probably be his final year at Compassion. His birthday is in December, and he is scheduled for completion next year. I am truly excited to see him finish and graduate, but I will dearly miss our correspondence as we've been together for quite sometime.

He tells me he wants to continue to study at university and "be a great engineer for the honor and glory of God". Amen to that! He's also very happy as his praise group decided to record, and promoted their first CD in October. He has told me before the name of his group, I will have to see if I can find the CD online. He wants prayers to conintue to learn the piano. He asks if I like to play the piano; he'll be excited when he gets me letter talking about me learning guitar!

He often times writes scripture with his drawings.

Lastly I heard from my youngest, 5 year old Arsang in Thailand.

This was a form letter, one of the new ones that were part of the new letter guidelines. It's about his project!

On the back the project worker wrote a message for him (not the normal tutor who helps him), she mentions he's happy to participate in the project activities, and asks me to pray for him as "he is still a little child and has to learn more." I like how he said dessert is what he typically eats at his project!

I'd love to hear about your little artists!

Mail Call Monday

I am very excited to share today, as I have received quite a few letters in the last couple weeks. I was unable to post last Monday, but I'm excited to share today.

I have six letters to share, it feels almost like Christmas!

First letters is from 15 year old Mwanaidi from Tanzania.

She looks almost stern in her photo, but she is really warming up, and sharing more in each letter. She tells me she is pleased with my questions. She tells me she is doing well with her lessons, and she wants to be a teacher when she grows up. The chores she helps with are washing utensils, washing clothes and sweeping. And when asked what her favorite animal is, she tells me grazing animals like cows and goats. She also  tells me she was happy to hear I got my nursing certificate (my CNA license). This girls is smart and has tons of potential.

Then I heard from my youngest, 5 year old Arsang in Thailand.

His tutor helps him write, and she tells me he is happy to know I sent him a letter. She also says he is still a good child, and that he looks after his little sister well. She mentions she attends the activities at the project also, and if she is crying he consoles her. The last sentence reads "His mother would like to ask will you come to Thailand?" I would love to go, God willing some day I may.

He drew me a very colorful photo and I love how Thailand has the children draw on a separate sheet. I can adore his letter and drawing at the same time.

I received another Thai letter from 10 year old Duangdao.

She writes, "I am glad you wrote to me again. Your work is interesting. I think you are very happy with it. You are a very good woman because you are taking care of the patient and elderly." I thought it was neat to hear back from two of my kids in regards to my new job, and job training with my Nursing Assistant certification. She tells me "I have a story to share also. I always ride my bicycle with my friends in summer." And that was the end of her story. I love how she just lets her thoughts flow, and I hear about many topics.

Then I received a letter from my sweet 18 year old Sarah in Uganda.

It has been a little while since I have heard from her, but she begins her letter again, "my beloved friend Heather." She writes in English, but I do not believe it to be her first language, or she hasn't done very well in school. Her first question she ask, "How are you and how is your life at large?" It made me smile. She tells me about her Easter holiday, and asks for prayers. She tells me she is proud and grateful for the letters I sent her.

She asks me again, when I will visit her in her country, and tells me as she has before, "I know that it is a long way from your home country to my home country Uganda and there are valleys and mountains, but don't fear that because there is a God who will make a way for you." She wrote this almost verbatim a few months ago when she asked me to visit. I believe I did not say anything back, as I did not want to lead her to believe I was coming, as my words might come across unlike I intend. But maybe she knows something I don't know yet, and I'll be heading to Uganda. I know I would love to go!

Then I recieved two letters from 12 year old Erick in Bolivia.

The week before he wrote me about all his pets, past and present. He told me he had 2 cats, but they were sick and died. (He's my child that knows his dog is old, and is scared for him to die.) He then tells me about celebrating children's day at school and taking a field trip to trout aquarium. I think that sounds like a neat place!

Then I received this!!

He tells me his birthday was the 22nd of May, and thanks me for the gift. He was a sweat suit and sweater. He tells me his parents bought a cake, and sang him happy birthday. He also tells me about mothers day, and his mom's birthday being in May and says "May is one of the most imprtant times of the year becayse it's my mom's birthday, my birthday, and mother's day. When is your birthday?" I'm pretty sure he'll be excited to hear my birthday is also in May. He signs his letter, "Your Boy, Erick"

Meet Alex

My youngest nephew, Nathanael, has been asking for his own Compassion kid for a while. He gets quite upset when his brother receives mail, and always asks where his mail is. He knows his brother has a friend named John, and while he can't quite grasp the big picture, he does understand some, and is ready for his own adventure.

Meet Alex:

Alex is Nathanael's new friend. He's four years old, and almost exactly a year older than Nate. He has a short name that will be easy for Nate to remember, especially when praying for him, and learning to write. Alex is from Bolivia, and lives with both of his parents; not sure yet of siblings.

 

Nate study his picture as I began to tell him about his new friend. I'm ever excited to watch this adventure take flight.

Monday and Mail

I've very excited to share three letters I received this last week from Compassion. Two of them were child letters, and another is a project letter!

My first letter was from almost 16 year old, Mame Aba, from Ghana.

She thanks me for all the letters, and again for choosing her. It almost breaks my heart to read those words. Every letter she writes, she ALWAYS thanks me for choosing her. I believe God choose her for me, as I hadn't even seen her photo. I asked if they had any 16 year old girls in Ghana, and the lady told me they had one 15 year old; Mame Aba.

I sent little valentines to all my children this year. I wasn't sure how my teenager would respond, as most teenagers here wouldn't be too excited. But this is my second child to make mention. and she says"Yes!" her friends like the cards so much. She tells me she shared them with her best friend, sibling, and parents.

Next I received a letter from my 11 year old Bolivian artist, Erick.

Erick tells me he is doing well in school and is now in the 6th grade. He says his teachers are strict, and there are 39 students in his class. That is quite a few kids, but I bet there are much better behaved than students here.

He also mentions he's brother and nephew's both have birthdays coming up. And they are having a party with a clown, because Josue, his nephew, likes clowns. He says he's praying for my new job also.

The last letter was the project letter for Mwanaidi in Tanzania.

This letter I actually received indirectly from her sponsor. My friend who sponsors her (She asked me to correspond) gave me the letter along with another to read. She told me since it wasn't a specific letter from her child, I could keep it. I looked at it, and realized it was Mwanaidi's project, and I was so excited!

The gentleman who wrote it, is Nickson Yared Kilale, and he is the project facilitator for her project, and 10 others! He says he visits with projects often, when the children are in attendance.

He states that the suburb is 160 kilometers from Arusha, and how the area receives heavy rain from November to April. With the hot months being August, September, and October.

She tells how most of the economic activities are peasantry and very small irrigation schemes of padding growing. He says the average monthly income from this is 26 USD. He also mentions though the maddy crops have been good income, they are also a good activator of Malaria prevalence in the area due to the still water.

He talks about HIV being high in the area, due to people coming as laborers or buyers of rice. Witchcraft is highly practiced and girls education is not a priority to parents. So early marriage and school drop out is common.

He said that those registered compared to those unregistered is a huge difference! The registered children are in diminished frequency of poverty related illness because of their health checks, vaccines, proper and timely medication, nutritional literacy and provision and hygiene seminars. Compassion is making a difference.

One of the points I found most interesting is, there are 252 youth registered, and 202 are over the age of twelve. There is a lot of vocational training happening in this center, and I'm so glad to hear about it. What an informative letter!!

Did you hear from any of your Compassion International kids this week?

Mail Call

I always enjoy sharing my letters from my precious Compassion kids. I look forward everyday to checking my mailbox, hoping for a letter, my connection, to their world. Those letters almost seem like gold. One time I had a letter with a dirt print on it, and I told me sister that it added to the reality of knowing my child actually wrote my letter. It may have fallen from her desk first, but she held that letter contimplating what to write.

I do apologize this week for no photos of the letters, I'm still not all the way moved, and I'm not sure where everything is.

My first letter was from almost 12 year old Erick, from Bolivia.

Erick is very, very good about answering all my questions. I love his letters because he switches subjects so often, and may talk about 15 different things. He seems like he may be a busy boy.

He tells me again about his old dgo and how he wishes he could take a picture of him on his cell phone to always remember him by. But his cell phone doesn't take photos. He attends the project Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. They are not sure what the new school building will look like yet, as they haven't finished. They are only building on Saturday and Sunday. And they haven't tore his old school down, as they are still attending.

He said he doesn't get to see hsi two friends he mention by name in an earlier letter because they dont go to school with him and they are not his naighbors. Now I'm slightly confused and curious as to how he met these two boys.

Overal all, amazing letter, I always learn so much from his letters!

My next letter was from 15 year old Mame Aba, from Ghana.

Not a letter goes by where she thanks me for chooseing her. It makes me wonder about her past. It shows me she is truly greatful! She goes on to answer my question about who lives in her home. She lists: cousins, siblings, my uncle and aunties. I though her mom was in the picutre, but no I'm unsure. She goes on to tell me she is learning to use the computer, do communial labor and fix some of the local dishes. She also drew and colored a cute heart that says I love you so much!

And then I also received a letter from Sheena, thanking me for a gift I sent with another sponsor to the Philippines. There was a photo printed on computer paper. I'll post her letter later, as I'm not sure which house it is at. My sister told me it was in the car, but I couldn't find it before soccer practice tonight. It was a really sweet letter.

Have you had any gold delivered to your mailbox? :)

Meet My Child-Erick

Well, today's the day I take the opportunity to introduce you, to one of my Compassion International kiddos. My kids are such a big part of my life, and I enjoying telling others about them, whenever I get the chance. So I've choose each week to introduce you to one of these special people. My hope is that through these introductions, you are spurred to develop a deeper relationship with your sponsored children, or take up the challenge of child sponsorship yourself.







The last two week's introductions, have highlighted the lives of two young boys. So i thought I'd introduce you to the last of my boys, 11 year old Erick, from Bolivia.

 

I've been corresponding with Erick for 9 months or so, and he's quite chatty boy. He likes to change topics often in his letters. He recently told me they would be demolishing his school at the end of the school year, and they were building a new school. He seemed very excited!

I know he also has a dog that is quite older, that he's worried about dying soon. He's a very talented artist, and I always received a nice drawing on the front of his letters. There are a couple of boys in the family, but he seems to be quite respectful and well behaved. I look forward to getting to know Erick better in the years to come!

 

Here's the photo of him from last year. I love his dress shirt!

And when I asked for a previous photo, this is the cute little boy I saw!

Monday's Mail Call

For most people, Monday is probably their least favorite day of the week. Especially if it means heading back to a job, after having the weekend off.

But I have really been enjoying Monday's for a while. I absolutely love having the opportunity to share my precious letters from my Compassion International kids. And while I really could share them anytime, I have enjoyed sharing on Mondays with fellow bloggers and sponsors.

Sometimes I feel as if they are as valuable as gold. They connect me to a child living half way across the world, and let me see a glimpse of their life, their struggles, their fears, their hopes and their dreams. I treasure each letter, and reread them to see if maybe I missed something, and then when I stop to pray for them, I'm amazed at how God has chosen me to be an encouragement in their life, and I wonder if they know how much joy and encouragement they bring me. Sometimes I think they do, especially when Sheena wrote "I know you are happy right now with my letter." I love all these kids so dearly, and so I take great pride and joy sharing these little treasures from around the world, and I hope you too can enjoy a little of my treasures.

This week brought two letters, one from Sheena and one from Erick.

The first letter I tore into was from one of my more recent family members, 11 year old Erick from Bolivia.

What a handsome and talented young man who stands tall in his photo. I received another drawing, of a dog and a cat. He tells me in his letter, that his favorite animals are the dog, cat and sheep. I told him my favorite was the sheep, and it makes me smile to see he added that to his favorite list, and I wonder if I had something to do with that. He thanks me for the gift I sent him (not sure if it was birthday or his Christmas gift). He also mentions his classes will be done soon and he will be on vacation. So according to his previous letter, that means he should be on his way to a new school soon, as the construction was suppose to start after school was let out. During his break he plans to travel to Santa Cruz with his sister in law, brother and nephew.

I'm enjoying pretty frequent letters from him, and he is always full of details. I love the bit of randomness to the order of his details in his letters too.

Then I received a letter from my Filipino sister, 18 year old Sheena, whom I wrote more about last week here.

She opens the letter with "I'm always fine my dear sister." She goes on to tell me about how she shared the stickers I sent her with her Sunday school class. And how both enjoyed them very much. She also told me that most of the kids are 7 years and above in her class. She also says "I want you to know my sister that every letter you send me is valuable and you're so special to me." I pray she knows how special she is to me, and how much I treasure her letters also! She goes on to tell me that one of the bands I found from the Philippines she hadn't heard of, (It was one the few I found music for that was in English so I knew what they were actually singing about. I liked them. They're name was something like I.D.O.4.) but she would do some research and look them up.

And the last few lines of her letter say "I love you too my sister Heather." My heart melted a bit, as this is the first time she has said she loves me so directly. So I know she knows. And then right after she asks "How did you feel that you help a lady or child like me?" I'm not exactly sure what she meant by this. And maybe I read too much into it, but almost seemed like a question you'd ask as part of a goodbye.

Any suggestions as to what more specifically she may be asking?

Monday's Mail Call

I was very excited Thursday night to come home and find a Compassion envelope waiting for me with a letter. Mail the last couple weeks has been almost non existent. This time of year though, it seems there is a bit of a slow down with the Christmas season, and all that brings, both here in the US and abroad.

This week I heard from two of my boys: 11 year old Erick in Bolivia and 4 year old Arsang from Thailand!!

The first thing to catch my attention on his letter, was his articulate drawing! So much detail, and I think he may have been trying to draw me, as the hair of the girl is much lighter than his previous drawings. His other drawings had super dark, or black hair. This little boy melts me heart with his letters.

Normally I wouldn't post a whole letter, but I love how he skips from subject to subject. Plus, he had a lot of little details I wanted to share.

"I greet you with peace of the Lord. You are a very happy and perfect sponsor, and I thank to God for having you. I want to tell you that my school will be demolished and next year 2012 will be bigger and nicer. My dog Ringo is very old and it seems that he is going to die because he is 13 or 14. I am scared of it. I got good grades at school. My brother's birthday is close, in next November 6. I have 2 best friends their names are Renan and Jhonatan. I have a lot of fun playing with them. I say good bye with a lot of love and affection. Your Kid, Erick"

My heart broke when he told me about his dog, and how he's scared he's going to die. I remember as a kid how heartbreaking that is to try and contemplate. Not that is get's easier. I'm glad he's going to be getting a new nicer school next year too. And my heart melted at the beginning when he tells me I'm the perfect sponsor, then ends his letter as "Your Kid." I absolutely love my bubbly Bolivian Boy :)

Arsang is my youngest kiddo, he is actually slightly younger than my oldest nephew Jonathan by about a month. This is my 5th letter in a little better than a year.  And when I looked at the date of this letter and his last, they were both written in August. One at the beginning that I got about a month ago, then at the end of the month that I received this week.

The same project worker has helped him with the last 3 letters, and I wonder if their is relation, because they have the same last name. Will have to ask him.

He thanked me for his birthday gift (his birthday was in July) and told me he got some clothes. It was very generic so I may ask him about that too. He asks if we have a national Mother's day, and goes on to tell me about how the celebrated at their project. He told me he gave jasmines to hi mother with respect! He asks prayer for him and his family's health. And tells me they pray for me and my health.

He draws very well for a 4 year old! The stationary is the same as usual and not a template. I believe he is a child that would benefit from a template letter especially since he is so young, I think it would be easier for him to tell me more about himself. More to come with the new letter writing guidelines rolling out in the coming year.

*Button compliments of Michelle over at Blogging from the Boonies.

**I will announce the winners of the correspondent kits later, as I'm enlisting the assistance of my 2 charming nephews. Stay tuned!

Photo Updates

I don't have much time before I head to work, but I really wanted to share some updated photos of my Compassion International kids. Two in one week was a nice surprise, and it hadn't even hit the 2 year mark, so earlier is even better. I'll show you before and after.

This is 14 year old Mwandaidi from Tanzania. I correspond with her on behalf of an elderly friend of mine. She was her 3rd sponsorship, and while she loves corresponding with her kids, at her age she didn't think she could take on a 3rd child, but she fell in love with her, and so I told her I could correspond on her behalf and share all her letters and photos, so she could still be part of her life :)

March 2010

October 2011

Then I received an updated photo for 11 year old Erick in Bolivia. He is a newer addition to my Compassion family as of the beginning of the summer. I think he is just a darling young man!

March 2010

October 2011

Despite the fact that I would love to see smiles, I know a lot of things play into updating or taking a photo. Michelle over at Blogging from the Boonies wrote an excellent post on that here. But I do see hope in their faces. And Hope makes all the difference.

Mail Call

Ok, well my intentions were to try and get this blog posted yesterday, but that didn't end up happening, so here is to Mail Call Tuesday this week :)

I received 3 letters this week, one of which was waiting for me in the mail last night when I got home from work. This week from Bolivia is 11 year old Erick, from Peru is 9 year old Zaira, and from Thailand is 8 year old Duangdao. Those are most of my younger kids, and they were all really sweet letters!

First is Zaira from Peru. She has a twin sister my sister sponsors named Zarai. They lost their mother right before Christmas last year, and are living with grandparents from what Compassion was informed, but it looks from the letters they may also be staying with Uncles or Aunts. She thanks me for the extra's I sent with the most recent letter, but then goes on to say "and for all the gifts you always send me." She told me they celebrated mothers day, and that her grandparents are doing fine. She also said they won a sports competition! Not sure in what sport though. She asks "Do you have children and grandparents? If you do not have grandparents do you have a husband?" I just started laughing, not sure where the connection between not having grandparents, and having a husband, but I thought it was cute. I've been sponsoring her for 5 years, and she always seems to asked some of the same questions about kids and a husband, maybe she is being hopeful?!

Next is Duangdao from Thailand. She is a smart young lady, and very talented artist, though I did not get a drawing this time, but she wrote over a page and half by herself in Thai!! And she turns 9 next month! And her handwriting is beautiful! I had asked her previously how to write her name in time, and so on her drawings in the past she writes her name and has in English a label that says 'my name.' So I have attempted to write it on some of my letters back to her. And so she writes "You can write my name correctly. Your handwriting is very beautiful. There are 44 alphabest in the Thai language. You would like to write the word Jesus in Thai." Then the translator has it typed out it is_____ and then the Thai characters!! I was super impressed they did this for me! She then asks if "Can read it? I hope you will be able to write it." Then she goes on to tell me about a summer festival called Songkran, that is celebrated on summer vacation. And that is is the Thai new year and they celebrate with water. She also told me that St. Patrick's festival is new to her. It was one of my best letters from her!

Lastly is one of my more recent additions, Erick from Bolivia. He writes "Happy birthday to your little nephew!" Thought that was sweet, I had written about us celebrating her birthday recently. He told me he does know how to play the game catch and run. I had told him about one we played at camp this year where everybody was 'it' at the same time and how hard it was to try and not get tagged from behind. He goes on to list some games he likes to play "sun and ice", "Angel Mio", and "colores." He tells me his favorite bible verse is Psalms 119:105 "Lamp is your word to my feet and light to my path" and that "I'll never forget you! I say goodby with love." I thought it was super sweet, especially since I haven't been corresponding with him for very long yet.

Have you heard from any of your Compassion International kids recently? I'd love to hear about it!

Monday Mail Call

I enjoy sharing the letters I receive from my Compassion International kids, any chance I get. So every Monday I plan on sharing the joy of my letters from the previous week.


  Button compliments of Michelle over at Blogging from the Boonies.

This week we had an exceptional mail day Friday. Prior to Friday I hadn't received any letters, but on Friday I received 3, my sister received 3, my nephew received 1 and the youth group also received 1! So that was 8 letters total. I think that is probably close to a record, if not the record. Then another 2 letters from my boys on Saturday. So I have 5 letters in total to share today.

First was "My Holiday Plans" letter from Penidila in Ghana who is 11 years old.

My sister sponsors her twins sister Priscilla, and so 2 of the letters Friday were from Ghana. I also noticed Michelle this week received the same type letter from her Precious in Ghana. I received this letter a couple weeks back from my other girl in Ghana, Mame Aba. But she lives in a sister, which I'm sure makes for quicker transit time on her letters. Anyway, this letter is very much a form type letter, but is often times filled with lots of information. Pendila tells me at the project she is learning to operated a computer! And at home she will sweep and fetch water (this must be her chore as she has mentioned fetching water often in her letters and asked who in our house had to fetch the water. I then tried to explain the blessing of having plumbing with water into our house) and help her mother with selling. And I thought her prayer request was cute, she asked "please pray for me to be a good girl always." And this is not the first time she has asked for prayer to be a good girl. But most common of her prayer requests is for more wisdom...what a smart girl! I think she is now learning to use a ruler to draw straight lines, as her drawing is of a house with very straight lines. And a table with very straight lines.

Next was another from 14 year old Mwanaidi in Tanzania.

She writes "Thank you for the letter which you sent me. I am doing fine with my lessons at school and I like math, Swahili, history and social studies." She sounds like a very smart girl who really enjoys school. If she likes all those subjects, I wonder which ones she isn't fond of? She is 14, and so I don't always expect a drawing from my older kids (with the exception of a few), but there is a place on the back of the letter for a drawing, so I think she probably feels she must draw something. She drew a flower and a cross, but didn't color it in. I am thankful that she did decided to fill the paper in a bit more, even if that might be something she doesn't enjoy.

Then I hear from the 17 year old Sarah from Uganda.

This young lady is very dear to my heart. I had asked Compassion about her history, and she has been in the project since about age 9, and had a faithful sponsor who sent in the monthly support, but never wrote. The first letter I received from Sarah was so full of love and excitement from hearing from her sponsor. She always starts her letter "Dear my best friend..." I feel very privileged to have such a special young lady in my life. This is the second letter (out of 3) that she has mentioned this. "I have a desire to see you face to face." I would love to have this opportunity, but for fear that I may never, I haven't mentioned in any of my letters I would like to meet her to. I have heard of others who mentioned a desire and their kids thought they were coming. I would hate to disappoint this young lady. She also says "I need prayer to be promoted to grade seven." I have a feeling from her other letter she struggles some in school. And she signs her letter "Your loving daughter." This is my second child from Uganda, and I have really fallen in love with this country.

And then I received a letter from my youngest, little Arsang is 4 and from Thailand.

His project worker writes on his behalf. He writes "He feels very glad you wrote to him and told him many things about you. He would like to thank you for your admiration that he can draw well. He told me that he will try to draw better than this." That part just melted my heart. That he wanted to draw even better this time for me. He thanked me for some of the things I sent him (some Noah's ark cut outs) and told me that "his family knows and they believe and trust in the Lord and feel so warm." I'm glad he is in a Christian household, to encourage him. Here is his artwork:






Last, but certainly not least is 11 year old Erick from Bolivia.

This is only my second letter from and the first thing that caught my attention first is wow, I have another artist on my hands. Not only did he draw a very nice portrait of Jesus hugging a little girl, but he used beautiful bold colors on it too! He writes "I'm praying for you. I wish you all the best in your job. I tell you I am earning good grades at school. I'm the best of my siblings." I know there are 3 siblings, but I'm not sure of their ages. I thought this to be a cute remark. He also says "Let me tell you taht we played a famous game called "Tunca-Tungui"; we played it in the street." I have to do some more exploring into this. I asked a fellow advocate who spends quite a bit of time in Bolivia, and he said this was the first he has heard of this game. Erick also mentioned right after the game remark "When I saw my friend, she was chubby and my brothers told me that she was pregnant. I am very happy for her." I'm hoping this is a family friend, and not a school aged friend who is pregnant, but I'm not really sure by this letter. A very nice all around letter, and I'm really enjoying getting to know this young man. Here is his marvelous drawing I was bragging about :

I hope you enjoy these letters, and feel free to share any of your letters from your kids. Or if you have any questions, feel free to ask!