Meet My Child-Nuru

In the past I've done introductions of my current Compassion kids, with a few past kids also. Today I'd like to introduce to you Nuru.

He was my third addition to my correspondence kids. He was 17  and from Tanzania. I was introduced to him back in 2009 or so. And wrote faithfully and frequently. I know he enjoyed soccer, and his studies were about average.

I wrote Nuru for about 9 months. After a few months of not hearing from him, I became a little worried. I prayed even more, and wrote even more frequently. I thought maybe as a teenage boy, he needed me to earn his trust before he'd open up or want to write.

I think it was probably after 7 months of not hearing from him, I called Compassion to see if they could look into why I hadn't heard from him. I believe it took close to another 2 months to hear back.

At this point I was told he had gone off to college, but not returned home or to the project. The staff tried to track him done, but were unsuccessful. And due to the length of time that had elapsed he was no longer part of the project.

Honestly, my heart sunk. I wondered why all this time I'd tirelessly worked on heartfelt letters to send this young man. Had he received ANY of them? Probably not.

But then I started thinking about all the project staff that saw those letters. How they watched the stack of letters grow for this young many, a young man who may never have received many or any letters before. And as that stack grew, I'm sure their desire to search out this young man grew.

All those letters would need to have been translated also. Maybe one of those translators need to hear those words within on of those letters. Those words I intended for Nuru, God could have intended for one of them.

God has a way of doing things that don't always make sense to us, but they do have a purpose.

This week Nuru has been on my heart. My prayer is that he is serving God where ever he is, and he remembers the love of those in his Compassion project. Even if he never knew of me I pray he knows the love of God. And I pray for those words written, to whomever God intended, I pray they reach their ears, even years later.

"So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." Galatians 6:9

Meet My Child-Karabukirwa

Today I have the pleasure of introducing my oldest Compassion child to you. She is the most recent addition, though she's been with me over 8 months.

Karabukirwa is 19 years old, soon to be 20 on the 14th of April. I had been watching a few kids on the Compassion website, praying for sponsors. There was four of them at one point in time. I had no intention of sponsoring them. The weeks went by, I believe 3 to be exact, and Karabukirwa was still sitting there starring at my. She was the oldest or second to oldest In total on the site. I use to love watching the older children, but don't often venture to the website much now, as I know I'm at my max kids. I had even gone as far as to email Compassion asking about a graduation date. Then, between jobs I heard God tell me I needed to sponsor her.

It all sounded a bit crazy, as I was having a hard time as it was, and struggling for a new job. But I love God's timing. That night after sponsoring Karabukirwa, I received the call about a job. And God reassured me He was in control. And I've absolutely fell in love with this amazing young lady!

If you haven't been following my blog long, over on the left side, if you click on Rwanda, my mail calls with her letters should show up. Her latest letter was very long, and so full of details. Her bright, sweet spirit shinning through!

She lives with only her mother. I'm not sure about her father, but wonder if he might have been one of the many lost during the horrific genoicide. She would have been young at the time, and she does live near to the tragic site. She has another sibling, I'm pretty sure a sister.

She also mentioned in a letter the government was requiring her mother to revovate their home. While I wasn't able to send a very big gift, I did send a family gift and I'm a little anxious to see how it was used!
And while on the down side, I won't have the opportunity for her to be "mine" long, I do treasure the time I do have with her! And do not regret sponsoring an older child.

Thinking about child sponsorship, but maybe the length of the commitment is a little intimidating. Consider sponsor an older child. Not only is the commitment shorter, but these older teenagers usually have so much to say. And are extremely greatful for all your letters and the sponsorship

Meet My Child-Mame Aba

I'm a day later than planned for my, but I'd still like to introduce you to another of my precious Compassion kids.




This week brings you the introduction of 15 year old Sarah Mame Aba from Ghana.

Mame Aba, as she likes to be referred to by entered my life last spring when I found out my precious Carolyne moved with her daughter to a different area where Compassion doesn't work. I had been scouring the Compassion webpage looking for "the child." I had been watching a few other kids previously, but when I found out Carolyne was gone I just couldn't seem to find the right child.

 While on the phone with Compassion, I asked if they had already sent a packet out, and they hadn't but she would love to help me find another child. She searched their database of available kids, and looked in Carolyne's project in Uganda for me, but no teenage girls. So then I asked her to look at any older teenage girls in Ghana, I know there isn't many because Compassion hasn't been in Ghana very long, but ever so often a 15 year old girl will pop up on the website. She said I have one.

She read me Mame Aba's details, and I really started to consider her, but asked she send her packet out, as I had to see her first to know. The next I i know her name is on my online account with the question accept next to her name. No photo, just her name and number and option to take on her sponsorship. It haunted me almost two weeks, not know what she looked like. Then I made a call to see if there was any way to see her photo. The lady on the phone almost chuckled, as if she too understood. She told me I could hit the except button to see her photo, and if I wasn't interested she could take her off my account.

I hit accept, waiting for the page to load. Then I saw her and shreaked yes! The rep I could tell was smiling at this point and she tells me I wish everyone was as enthusiastic as you.

And that's how she joined me. She enjoys drawing, and is part of the bible club at her school. She wants to be a graphic designer when she gets older, and has been learning computer skills at the project. From the sounds of it, learning to use programs like paint, ect.

Here's her first photo I received prior to sponsoring her. I noticed an updated photo, but I'm waiting to get the digital copy of it.

Meet My Child-Sarah

Sarah is 17 years old and lives in Uganda. Sarah joined me shortly before the loss of Carolyne, my other Ugandan child. This country was already dear to me, but this young lady stole my heart!



Sara was one of my few kids that I did ask for her Compassion history. Depending on the phone rep, they may or may not give you much past history, but they did tell me a little about Sarah. She had the same sponsor for the last nine years. They were very faithful to her; she never experienced the loss of a sponsor like most kids. But the sad part was, she never once received a letter. She was faithful to write her required three letters a year to her sponsor, but I'm sure she wondered why she never received one back. Because of this I wrote faithfully, frequently, and filled my letters with love, hoping she would give me a chance in return.

 

I remember the day her first letter came, I was so excited, and I could tell she was too! The salutation read "dear best friend miss Heather." and it's been continual loved poured out through all her letters since then!

 

Sarah comes from a single mother household, with two younger sisters. She's not the best in school, but she isn't the bottom of her class. She strives to always do well in her studies.

 

I love all my kids, but I truly feel blessed to have such an amazing young lady in my life! She blesses me and I pray I can bless her as much as she blesses me!

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!

Meet My Child-Arsang

This week I'd like to introduce you to the youngest of my Compassion kids; four year old Arsang from Thailand.

I've been corresponding with this adorable little one for about a year.

I do have to admit, the day I saw Arsang on my account I was slightly disappointed. Not because of his cutness, but his photo was in place of my 18 year old Thai boy, whom I had grown to dearly love. I also have truely grown to love corresponding with teenagers, and Arsang was a bit of a shock.

I do have to say I have grow to love this lively little boy as his tutor refers to him. I do know this little guy's favorite color is red, and he was very excited last Christmas that the envelope to his Christmas card was red. So for his birthday i picked out an Elmo card, also with a red envelope.

I haven't received too any letters from this little guy, but I have noticed a change in this trend, and I am enjoying it.

He has a younger brother, who he enjoys helping his mom care for. And he recently started school. His tutor describes him as an obedient and lively little boy. His photo is due to update this year, and I hope to see a bit more of his liveliness in his new photo.

His artwork is improving and he draws some cute little characters, though I'm not exactly sure if they are people or what.

I look forward to many more years with this little guy, and the ablitity of knowing him for a good portion of his life.

Meet My Child-Tekalign

Today I would like to introduce you to another of my Compassion International kids. His name is Tekalign, he is 7 years old and live in the country of Ethiopia.

I have to be honest, I really don't know too much about this little man. I think of all my kids he's probably the one I know the least about. I've been corresponding with this young man for about 9 months. and while i know they are in the process of revamping the letter writing process, as of now I haven't heard very frequently with him.

But this is what I know. He enjoys spending time helping his mom. He has 3 siblings, but I'm not entirely sure if they are brothers or sisters. He recelty lost his father, I'm not sure the circumstances, but I do feel a bit closer to him knowing her cared enough to share this information with me. He lives in a village and my guess is he is a complete Tom boy, as I've noticed from his previous and current photo he appears to have been playing in the dirt. A boy after my own heart.

And even though I don't know him well yet, I do look forward to the time ahead of us, and his coming letters. And I pray he grows up to be a man after God's own heart.

Meet My Child-Sheena

I would normally post my child introduction on Thursday, but since my opportunity to post yesterday was from my phone on my break at work, and I didn't have all my pictures I like to share available, I decided I would wait and post today. Because for me, pictures make a difference, especially on this type of post.







So today I'd like to introduce you to a young lady you may have already started to get to know through her many letters I've posted on my Mail Call Mondays. Her name is Sheena, and she is 18 years old, and from the Philippines.

This is Sheena's current photo, taken last year. I have been corresponding with this precious young lady since September 2010. I had requested an older girl, because I had fallen in love with my current older children, plus I know other may not be as excited to be partnered with an older child. I had no experience with the Philippines previous to Sheena, but her correspondence has given me a great love for her country and people, and in turn opened a door, for my nephew to sponsor John from the Philippines, who lives in the same city as Sheena.

Sheena lives with her grandmother and aunt, along with some of her cousins. Her grandmother is older, with poor vision. And her aunt is a teacher. Sheena use to want to be a teacher also, but recently told me she was switching degrees to computer programing.


I do feel I've become quite close to Sheena, and I know her frequent letters have helped. We both refer to each other as sisters. She is a college student, and recently mentioned she was choose as a youth leader in her church.

This is the first photo I have of her, taken prior to my corresponding with her, but I love to look at how much they have grown up.

And this was her current photo when I started corresponding with her. I absolutely love her smile!! Isn't it contagious?!

She is probably by far, my best letter writer. I usually hear from her about once a month. Her letters are always full of so much love, and lately have been full of news, about her schooling, meeting new friends, and and about her church.

The only down side to falling in love with an older child, is you have less time to spend with them. Her purposed graduation date, is 2014. While she will only be 20 at the time and her plans can change, I will be very sad to no long have this special young lady in my life.

On a bright note though, my church on a state level has partnered with several of our churches in the Philippines, as several members from some of our churches are from the Philippines. And they take yearly missions trips over there to do building projects, and I've got an open invite, and I'm praying that maybe next year or even the year after I would be able to travel with them, and in turn get the opportunity to this special young lady. I would love to meet all of my Compassion kids, and while I understand that the reality is I probably won't, I would jump for joy to meet Sheena.

Will you join me in prayer for God's will on going, and when?

Meet My Child-Mwanaidi

So glad to be getting back to some what normal. It's Thursday, and I'd like to introduce you to 14 year old Mwanaidi from Tanzania. She is one of my relatively newer kids, and I am her correspondent. But one of the neatest things about this young lady is, I know her sponsor!

I actually had her packet as an advocate and showed it to an elderly friend, who already sponsored 2 girls. I had share her packet with her, thinking she may share it with a another friend who has showed some interest in our sponsored kids, but does not sponsor her self. Miss M (as I'll refer to her by) called me aside later, and pointed out Mwanaidi's packet and said I want to adopt her too! She shared how she really was wanting to give more, especially since she isn't involved in a church so much anymore. But corresponding with her two girls was enough for her. And asked if someone might be able to write to her girl, as she understands the importance of letters. I told her I would love to! And I would share every letter with her.

And it's really worked out wonderfully. She even gives me a little extra money to help with stickers and goodies to send to her (I would write her regardless and treat her the same as any of my kids, but I think it's amazing that a financial sponsor things so highly of her girl). And it was due to her age that she didn't feel she could take on the responsibility of writing another child. But she loves her still the same. Another example to me, that finacial sponsors who opt to have correspondent sponsors are anything but heartless people. I believe it takes even more love to be able to ask someone else to write on their behalf, forgetting in most cases the precious letters they would receive.

I have received about 3 of 4 letters from her, and they haven't been filled with many details, but as I mentioned earlier in the week, she seems to be a very brilliant girl who loves school. I think she may be a bit shy, as she does ask me to pray for her exams, and her family, but doesn't give many details...except school, like the subjects she enjoys.

When she first joined my family I asked for her previous photo, and this was what I received:

She hasn't shown a smile in any of her photos, but she almost looked down right mad in this photo.

This was her photo when Miss M started sponsoring her:

She reminds me of Cinderella in her blue dress! She has come a long way, but I really pray we do someday see a smile on her beautiful face. They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Meet My Child-Duangdao

Ok, so maybe you thought I had introduce all my kids, or maybe just forgot. What originally was a weekly introduction to my kids, has happened the last couple weeks, as I was typically doing them on Thursdays, and thanksgiving through me off. I have really enjoyed introducing my Compassion International kids to you, and I hope you enjoy as well. Feel free to use my button on your blog, if you decide to do any introductions yourself.





So today I'd like to introduce you to a special 9 year old from Thailand, Duangdao. She join me in February of 2010. And from the start of letters, I felt I had a little bit different bond with this young lady. There was something special.

Such a cute, tiny little girl. I quickly learned she would join my group of amazing artists!! Every letter, there was a new drawing. And while she was too young to write her own letters at first, she always wrote her name in Thai on the back.

Her pictures were a bit simple at first, but I could tell she took much joy in drawing them. And they were always on a separate piece of paper from her letters. On common thing I've noticed from her letters early on, is she always asks for prayer for her friends at the project. Makes me wonder if there are many without sponsors. Though I did ask her once if her project friends had sponsors who wrote letters to them, and she did tell me yes.

She is a middle child; her older sister is only about a year older. And her baby brother is probably about 2 or close to 3 years old now. She is one of my few kids that is blessed to be living with both parents, though she never mentions her parents much. Her tutor always mentions she is glad to receive my letters, and in one of the first few letters she writes back "She's very happy to know I writing you again."

She tells me her favorite color is green! And how she loves to play dolls and "shopping" with her sister. She also enjoys swimming in the brook by her house.

She loves to ask questions like: What's my favorite season? What's my favorite flower? What's my favorite fruit? And last Christmas asked if people go caroling where I live.

I remember I was so excited when I received her update photo. She has grown up so much!

 And while she has no smile, I imagine this young lady to be quite the joyful girl. I know her letters always bring me much joy! She has even tried to teach me to write in Thai! She has taught me to write her name, and how to write Jesus. To read more about my trials, go here and read My Thai.

I do see this girl with much potential. Not to say all children don't have potential, because they all do. And I know they all have great dreams, they want to fulfill. But I see much hope for a bright future in the life of Duangdao. And excited to see where her dreams will take her!

Meet My Child-Pendila

At the point Pendila and Priscilla join both mine and my sister's Compassion families, we were not looking to add anybody else. I was "just looking" when I noticed in Ghana (a country that had just recently sparked my attention at this point) a set of twin girls...but wait, could it really be! There were red hearts on the corner's of their photos to indicate they had been waiting six months or longer. And at this point there were 9 years old. Which means they had a previous sponsor, yet both girls were available and sitting there right next to each other on the web page. I yelled from the back room at my sister to hurry come look!!!

As we sat there and looked at these gorgeous girls, we just asked each other, which name do you want? As their pictures were practically identical. And as it went, she wanted Priscilla and I wanted Pendila. We didn't think twice, just went and got our wallets, and added them to the family.

Little did we know what was in store from these lovely ladies. At this point OurCompassion was just starting out, or hadn't be launched yet, I can't remember. So all the information about letters and frequency was all still a bit of a mystery. After a few months, letters just started coming and coming from these two young ladies. It might range in frequency, but it wasn't unusual to get at least two letters a month! And while the girls were not writing their own letters yet, the project staff was really good about helping with letters. And good about trying to personalize the letters to each child. We told the girls right off we were sisters sponsoring sisters, and the health worker was good about giving a little bit of different information within the letters, which gave us a bigger picture of our two girls even quicker.

Pendila's first photo

When Pendila grows up, she wants to be a soldier in the Ghanian army, because she wants to protect her country she says. I'd even asked her this question again later on, to see what she might say, and again she told me a soldier. I believe her sister Priscilla wants to be a nurse. The have 3 older siblings, two sisters and a brother, and one young sister also. Their father repairs watches for a living! 

And for their first birthday, my sister and I had each sent money, and were quite surprised to see the returned photo we got with their thank you letter. What a surprise to see all their friends!!

 

Everyone seemed quite excited! My sister and I each received copies of these photos, labeled with our respective child's name. Priscilla is on the left and Pendila is on the right. Quite the party they had!

Their letter are always full of love, and especially now as they are getting old, great questions! They are always wanting to learn more about my nephews, their school, church, my work. Anything I might mention, they will ask to know more about. 

They will be 12 years old this spring, and have recently been promoted to Primary 5. We have received a few letters written by themselves, but they still predominantly have help writing. Though one time my sister received a letter from Priscilla and stapled to it was a letter on a plain white sheet of paper with my name and Pendila's name on it. And it simple said, "I love you. And I always pray for you." The simplest letter I've ever received, but one of the most powerful!

Here they are last Christmas. Can you tell which is Priscilla and which is Pendila? I'll give you a hint, their names are on their bags. :)

Last spring I received an updated photo, and I couldn't' believe how tall she had grown. It had seemed such a short time to have grown up so much. There was no smile, but I tell myself she is practicing for her military career :)

Ghana is a country I've really fallen in love with. Well, I could probably say that about most all the countries I have Compassion International children in. But there is something a little extra special about Ghana. Don't believe me, check out JD's posts about her trip, where she is currently in Ghana, speaking up for children who can't speak for themselves. And if you ask others who sponsor there too, they will tell you the same thing...there's something about Ghana.

Have you blogged introductions on your blog for any of you Compassion children? I love learning about other's children and their experiences. Feel free to link up with my post any of your child introductions :)

One of those Phone Calls

Well, as I was online writing to my Compassion International kids today, I noticed I had a name missing from my list of correspondent kids. My first thought was, a financial sponsor dropped a kid. Ok, well a quick review of names shows that my dear Shoa from Ethiopia is the missing name :(

So I got on the phone to call Compassion (knowing if I waited I would hear from them, either by phone or via the mail), because I really wanted to know what happened. Well, just as I suspected, the sponsor decided to no longer continue with sponsorship. The kind gentleman on the phone, then asked if I was in a position to pick up the sponsorship. I regrettably had to say, no as my current part time job, it really not making ends meet at this current time. But I asked how long I had to make the decision, because I really wanted the opportunity to maybe find someone, with whom I could share her story with that could either be her financial sponsor, or a sponsor that will faithfully write and support her.

So I guess I will let you Meet My Child-Shoa







I have been her correspondent for over 2 years. When first assigned to her, I had asked a little about her past, to find out her mother passed away in 2004. She was a sweet girl, but she did take a bit of time to open up. And with the current letter writing system, letters only come out of Ethiopia about 3 times a year, which does make it a bit more difficult to make a connection with a child. That system is soon changing.

She is the youngest of 5 siblings, I believe they are all grown, or maybe 17 or 18 years old would be the next youngest. Shoa herself is 14 years old. She will turn 15 on April 12th this year. About 18 months ago I received a saddening letter from her stating her father died after being attached by a cow. If you have ever seen photos of cows from Africa...they have some long horns, I can only imagine that terrible death, for both her father and her. She is currently living with a brother, and from the picture I received for her birthday last year I would guess his wife and kids.

Her and her father, Christmas 2009

 

Current family photo

She does pretty well in school, and wants to be a nurse when she grows up. My guess is that she wants to do more for those she loves, instead of losing them. She's very grateful and full of questions. She always asks many questions, and not just shallow questions, but you can tell she really wants to know more :)

She really has grown in the time I have know her. Here is her fist photo I had received.

 And here is her second photo

With her current photo up top

Please join me in praying for her new sponsor. If you know of anyone who may be interested in being a financial sponsor, I would love to continue to correspond on their behalf and share her letters and photos, or if you know of someone who wants to sponsor an older girl, and make the commitment of writing frequently to her and telling her how much this orphan is loved, please let me know. I have until December 7th to let Compassion know. Thanks for your prayers!

Meet My Child-Jose David

Well, in my series of introducing my Compassion International children to you, I've pretty much introduced them in the order they have entered my life, but there is a couple of boys (one graduated, one was a correspondent who lost a sponsor) who are not currently part of my family, so I'm going to move on to dear young man, Jose David, from Ecuador.

 This was the first photo I received of the then 13 year old boy...or rather young man. I had many first thoughts and preconceived notions. I thought ok, soccer or rather futbol will be a bit hit, he looks like he's even wearing a jersey. Wrong, he's not really the sports type. And two, I thought a young man probably isn't too big on writing letters, especially one his age. Wrong again. He's probably one of my best letter writers, and one of my more affectionate kids.

 With his birthday gift last year

I wrote many letters, and while it took a few months for me to receive my first letter, David's letters really started coming pretty frequently. If I look back at all his letter over the last 2 plus years, I average about 12 or 14 letters a year. And while most months I receive a letter from him, sometimes I get 2 or even 3 in a month, and may miss a month of letters.

I've also learned a lot about this young man who has opened up to me. First off, he's not the sporty kid I had first envisioned. He is artsy. He's an absolute amazing artist! (I almost feel that an understatement) and an extremely talented musician. I believe he can play 10 plus instruments including many Andean instruments native to his country. He is involved in his church's praise band, and from the information in the pastor letter this is no small feet for a church of 700!

And while he is a very upbeat child, who falls second to last in the birth order of 7 kids, he has his moments that I see a vulnerable teenage boy, who earnestly want to seek after God's will for his life. He is very transparent in his letters, I truly love that about him. And when shared more with him about my parents not being Christians, and the struggles I had as a teenager, he tells me how thankful he is that his parents serve the Lord. He also told me, it is because of his involvement in Compassion International's child development center in his local church, that his parents started coming to church and gave their lives to Christ. What a testimony...his parents seeing the good and hope in their son, inspiring them to action.

That's really what Compassion International is all about. Instilling hope in young people, where poverty has ripped it away. If we can help place hope in the lives of child, here and around the world, hope will birth dreams, and grow them to reality. Rising up a generation of young people, ready to change their world.

David's current photo as of Oct. 2010