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"

Tuesday's Mail Call :)

Ok, so a little more silence. Please excuse me, I know several were waiting for my letters I told you last week I knew were coming. I was in a bit of a wait for those letters too.

Saturday was was very excited to see two letters in the mailbox with my name on them! My sister and nephew had received mail in the last few weeks, but the only mail I had received were my updated photos. I was excited to see the smiling faces, but truth is, I was waiting for a letter of some sort.

I'm so happy to let you know we, yes WE, finally received a letter from Shoa. It's a thank you letter for her Christmas gift. I'm slightly disappointed there was no photo attached this year. I would probably not be disappointed at all had I not received photos from Christmas the last two years. But I'm super excited regardless as it really seems like forever since I have heard from her. And that had me a bit concerned.

She is doing well. She begins the letter "How you are you my dear guardian?" This is a unique greeting/opening to her letters. She says she celebrated the holiday at church with God's word, Gospel songs, beverages and sweets. With her Christmas gift money she bough sheets, pants, transport (maybe to the market) and in hand she had a very small amount. I guess she was allowed to keep the left over change basically :)

She mentions the African Cup of Nations is through. (I looked it up, and it's a big football or as us American's refer to it, as soccer, nationals.) She asks prayer for her family and her lessons. And ends the letter "See you in my next letter. I also pray for you. Chao!!"

I also heard from my other Ethiopian child, Tekalign, my other Ethiopian cutie!

It was one of the new form letters, and I have to say, I feel I learned quite a bit! He lives in a town. He sleeps on the floor (option was floor or bed). He gets his water from a tap and his food from the open market. His house is made from both wood and mud. The floor is mud, the roof is corrugated iron sheet. From this info, I feel I can kind of picture his house in my mind. It says he also has electricity in his home, which I would guess to be minimal with the substances his home is made of. He also tells me he washes his clothes with tap water (the other option was river.)

I really have been enjoying all the information I've received through these form letters. This is my second from Tekalign. His other letter was about his family.

Next letter was from my youngest, little Arsang in Thailand. He is only four years old, and his tutor helps him write!

This project worker really tried to make sure I knew Arsang helped write the letter. There is many mention of "Arsang told me..." I really appreciate this.  He tells me he and his family are find. And that every in his family thinks of me much. He thanks me for my letters, telling him of many stories. (Maybe Bible stories I've made mention of)  Arsang is happy to go to the project on Saturday with his friends. They celebrated National Children's day on January 14th. I also got this amazingly colorful drawing!

He's such a little cutie! And he's really growing up. His artwork has improved a lot this last few months!

I received a second Thai letter, from my sweet Duangdao. She nine years old, and writes her own letters in Thai!! I'm so impressed!!!

She is full of questions!! I think she is really coming out of her shell. She asks how I'm doing, and about my health. She asks my favorite season, and what the weather is like. She asks if I like planting flowers and if people in my country plant flowers!

She tells me about how she enjoys studying, and that she is in third grade primary school now. She tells me the weather there is cold in the morning, but always hot in the afternoon. She also tells me she planted flowers in front of her house. Many different kinds. And that's why she asked me about planting flowers. She ends her letter "Love you Much."

Last, but certainly not least, is my precious Sarah, from Uganda. She turns 18 next month, and I've always felt we have had a good bond.

She has really grown up a lot! She has always been so loving and sweet. She opens her letter "my beloved friend Heather." Just about every sentence has the words, my friend in it. It was as if we had an instant bond. She tells me how much her mother loves me also. She is the oldest of three girls, in a single mother household. She requests prayers for her to pass her exam. The end of the first page, her last sentence reads "My friend when are you planning to come to visit me my country Uganda."

My heart stopped at this question. Frozen for a moment, as this is not the first time she has asked me to come visit. She has asked me atleast one other time. And I haven't been able to bring myself to write back some sort of answer. So I leave the question unanswered.

She goes on to tell me "I know that is is long way from your home country to my home country Uganda, and there are valleys and mountains but don't worry because there is God who will make a way for you my friend." Her letter captivates me, and I would love in this instant to jump on a plane, fly to Uganda and give her the biggest hug ever!! And then go attempt to find Carolyne and Dinah and do the same. I would love to meet all my kids, but especially, my dear friend Sarah.

To make this amazing letter even better, there was a photo stapled to the top!

I'm amazed by these young people. Their letters inspire me. The increase my faith, as I watch God do things in their lives. I'm so thankful to be called their friend; their sponsor. Thank you God for blessing me through these amazing young people!

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!

YAH! For Monday

Welcome to this week's addition of Mail Call Monday! I had the pleasure of receiving letters from 2 of my Compassion International kids this week. And I was delighted to open each precious letter.


My first letter this week was from 14 year old Mwanaidi from Tanzania. I just recently received her updated photo, and was excited to hear from her also. She write frequently, but my letters are not usually filled with as many details as she provided this time. It was so nice to learn so much more about her.

She tells me she is doing well in her studies, and they "learn different types of subjects such as chemistry, geography and biology." She definitely sounds well educated, especially for a 14 year old! She also told me "we learn the Word of God from Joshua ch. 6." She also told me they take a short school break in September. And that in December they will be celebrating Christmas. She mentioned "the weather is good and we are preparing our farm for planting corn for irrigation in the month of August which goes up to November." (I think she meant they start harvesting in August, but can harvest for up until November. I know around here they put the crops in the ground early, way sooner than I would have imagine prior to talking to some seniors that use to do lots of farming.) She also drew me a simple drawing of a flower and a cross, just like last time. I do not believe art to be her best subject :) but I love that she tries. Also, Tanzania's stationary was new this time around. The heading says "Cheerful Greetings" with Phil. 4:4 on it.


My Second letter was 11 year old Pendila in Ghana. The date of the letter was October 11th and I received it Friday!! Not even 3 weeks! I can't hardly believe it! But excited none the less.

I had asked how often she goes to the project and she told me "every Saturday in the month." I had also asked why she had a green uniform in one photo, and a yellow uniform in her Christmas photo last year. She told me the green uniform was for school and the yellow uniform for the project. So in this letter she asks "Why do you like the yellow uniform for the project?" I was also informed she was promoted to primary 5, which makes me wonder why she is not back to writing her own letters. She wrote a few letters on her own, about a year ago, but ever since the project workers have been helping both her and her sister Priscilla write their letters.

Under the 'I would like to know more about' section she says "I would like to know more about what Jonathan and Nathanael are learning at church"-my nephews :) Her prayer request is for more wisdom, not only for her self, but for her twin sister also! And her memory verse is Judges 5:31 "May all your enemies die like that O Lord, but may your friends shine like the rising star." I found that to be an interesting memory verse. I'll have to ask her more about what she was learning.

Lastly I heard from 'My dear best friend Sarah' She is 17 years old and from Uganda.

She always addresses each letter 'my dear best friend Heather.' She is a young lady who came to me with a bit of a sad story. She had a sponsor many years, but because it was a company who sponsored many children, she had no one to write her letters. So she went I believe almost 9 years without ever receiving a reply to the 3 letters she wrote each year, to the sponsor she loved dearly. And so I take my job of writing her even more seriously, because I want her to understand God's love in a tangible way. She writes in english, but you can tell it is not her first language. And she writes my friend at the beginning of each sentence of this letter, making it a little hard to read, but just saturated with love! I feel blessed to be a part of this young lady's life.

She tells me her mother and sisters also send their greetings. She tells me her studies are not good and she needs prayers. So any extra prayers for her studies would be appreciated! She also tells me her family members are very happy with my letters. Which means Christ's tangible love is spilling over into her family! She tells me she has 4 goats. And in previous letters I told her about our goats, and her last letter she greets me, and my family, and prayers we are in good health and also our goats! It was cute! She also tells me she likes to read her bible all the time. She tells me that Jesus told his disciple to love your neighbor as yourself, and that "I love you my beloved friend and you know that God is my Savior and Creator." I was excited for her to actually tell me she knows Jesus as her Savior! She wrote all of the front and back of the letter this time! That is a first! I am so proud of her, and I know that if she is struggling in school, letter writing should help her academically. She told me the names of her sisters, Allen and Emily, and that it is the wet season in her country. She told me this in reply to questions I had asked her. Also, math is her favorite subject!

I had also written her telling her the meaning of her name Sarah, is Princess. And she told me she didn't know that. She also mentioned every year on October 9th Uganda celebrates their independence day. She signs her letters "Your faithful daughter, Sarah." Another thing I noticed with all her letters is the Uganda stationary has little animals down the sides of it, and she has taken the time, as a 17 year old! to color those little animals in every time!


Thanks to Michelle over at Blogging from the Boonies for the use of her handy mail call button. She posts letters every week and also uses a cool linkin feature for other Compassion International sponsors to share their letters. So check it out.

Meet My Child-Carolyne

Well today I would like to introduce you to another very special young lady, her name is Carolyne. She is 15 years old, and from Uganda. She was my fourth addition to my Compassion International family. And while I'm very sad today that she is no longer part of Compassion's program, she holds a very special place in my heart, and has an amazing story of being an over comer.

My sister and I had up until this point had twins, and girls in the same project. But we both kept browsing the photos over on the Compassion International website. If you have never looked at those precious faces, I highly suggest it. And my sister had found 2 young ladies from India and was debating between the two, when one of the girls found the other sponsor, she quickly sponsored the other girl. I had been glancing through photos for a while, and just wasn't sure which child, or if I should even add another child. But one bald 13 year old, orphaned girl from Uganda caught my attention, but I decided to think upon my decision a bit more. That night after getting off the computer, I had a dream that I met a young lady in Africa, and the  face was that of Carolyne's. So when I woke up the next morning I sponsored her. We shared almost the same birthday, 10 years and 3 days apart.

So then the anxious wait was on for her first letter. This was my first child from Africa, but Africa has been near and dear to my heart since my first mission trip in 2003. And then the arrival of the first letter! And my heart drops...she's asking me for forgiveness because she has become pregnant. At this point my heart broke so much for this 13 year old young lady. The emotions and thoughts going through her head must have been awful! So I called up Compassion to see if they were able to get any more information about this situation (plus the dread in the back of my head, makes me wonder if they might kick her out of the program, which they didn't). A few weeks later I received an email from Compassion field office Uganda that said their plans were to file charges on the man, but because he is under aged like Carolyne, that charges would have to be brought to both of the youth, and since that wasn't in her best interest, they were going to stick by her side, and help her through this time. Prior to her first letter I received her updated photo, at the time not realizing from the photo she was pregnant. Also her joyous smile was gone.

Beyond being 13 years old, pregnant, and orphaned, Carolyne also had only completed about the equivalent of the 3rd grade, probably because of all the hardships and moves she had already faced in her young life. So when it came to receiving letters, they were written by one of the project workers on her behalf. I remember getting news she had delivered a healthy baby girl!! I was so excited and proud, despite the situation not being good, I know that she needed someone on her side loving and encouraging her, and I was so glad God choose me as her sponsor. The first year I sponsored her I got strictly 3 letters. I had sent a family gift after receiving word she gave birth, figuring there were many needs for both Carolyne and her sweet daughter. I received a nice thank you letter along with this photo! Isn't she precious?!

It took some time of asking to finally get the answer to what she named her daughter...Diana. But the letter I received with this information told me she was sick, and on medicine. While in America this sounds great, but in a third world country, this is not good news. Many babies don't make it to their 5th birthday. But because letters didn't come frequently, I had to wait and pray.

The next letter came, and her daughter was doing better. She was also doing skills training through the project. She was learning salon skills, like plaiting hair. You could tell she was becoming more open with me, and that she realized that I really did love her no matter what. I wrote often, usually twice a month, because I didn't want her to ever feel she as alone. I wanted to constantly remind her of God's great love for her, no matter what.

I had sent another small gift, I believe it was only $15, but I wanted to send something else to help this young mom. She wrote back with much joy about the mattress she was able to by, and look her smile was back! That was worth it all! She looks so proud, and has her head held high.

Carolyne, with the help of the project workers over the next year wrote on average about a letter a month! Which I have heard was more than most people hear from their children in Uganda. I was so thankful, and she was proud to tell me of her progress in her skills training, and of her daughter. Carolyne despite her circumstances was determined to do something about it for her daughter! And after about 18 months, her photo updated yet again, and I was able to see an amazing young lady!

 

I don't think words could describe the bond I had with this young lady. Despite everything she had gone through, and was going to go through she could stand there with a smile of joy on her face! That takes courage and strength, given by our Creator.

Her birthday that year she bought clothes for both herself and Diana, and I got photos of them separately. I was so excited to see how big Diana was getting, and Carolyne looks like she was dressed for success.

Then spring came, and one night as I logged onto my account I noticed her picture wasn't showing up. It was Friday night, and I had to wait till Monday morning to call Compassion to see why. I kept checking through the weekend, wondering if it had been a glitch. Monday morning came, and it was not glitch. Carolyne had moved with her brother. He wasn't even the person she was originally living with, but that is not uncommon for orphans. Often times they have to move amongst family members so they do not become a burden to any one person.

When the final letter came, it was written by project staff, by their perspective, because Carolyne had already moved at this point. It was a very nice and encouraging letter, and they thanked me for all my support. They said she completed her skills training in Salon management, and Carolyne's hope was to open her own salon where she was moving. That's a big accomplishment for a single mom! And that while at the Compassion project she had professed Jesus as her Savior! Another YAH! And she has learnt how to pray and praise God. They also said they tried to convience her to come back to the project and stay living in the area, but that it wasn't a possiblity. They also promised ( I thought that was super sweet) that when she comes back they would reinstate her at the project.

I had asked Compassion about if she ever enrolled her daughter, and they told me if Carolyne mentioned her previous involvement with Compassion when she registered her daughter they would call me. But she would have to mention it or they would have no way of knowing.

And while I was super sad over my loss of such a special young lady, I continue to pray that God uses her in mighty ways. That she uses her skills and knowledge to provide for her daughter to give her a future and hope also. And it was a great example to me, while I consider these kids to be "mine" they are truly God's and in His hands. He has entrusted them to me for a predetermined time, that I have no control over. And I thank God for my many blessings!

Carolyne is one who gives me hope. Hope that we can be over comers despite our circumstances.  Hope that teenage moms can succeed when they put their trust in God, and have people standing behind them. And lastly, she gives me hope for Africa, and the new generation of young people rising up, and seeking God, and desiring to change their world!

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!