Day 21: Armando's letter

A letter from Armando came today. He is my little guy in Guatemala. He says that he and his family are well, but that it's hard for him to understand what they teach him in school. (That's a cue for me to send him educational items!) He goes on to say that where he lives, there are a lot of corn fields, and fields of "habas" (similar to lima beans), "guicoyes" (local squash), and tomatillos. He asked me if I like to eat "habas" and to please pray for his family.

When the weather is rainy, Armando likes to stay in his house, because his grandmother makes him tea and bread. When the weather is sunny, he likes to go out to play soccer with his neighbors and drink a soda.

I love how specific this letter is, telling me what he likes to do and eat, and I love the comment about his grandmother making him tea!

Armando, I'll certainly be praying for you and your family! I don't much care for lima beans, but I'm willing to try them again, just to see if my tastes have changed (and just for you!).

In His peace,

Sharon

Day 14: Mail Call Monday

One of my correspondent children, Saithan, is just so cute and precious. I received a letter from her, one of the form letters, but it's still so good to hear from her!

Saithan is learning lots of things at her project! She has learned how to respect her elders and friends. She is also learning about how "God is all powerful and the father of living and non-living things".

Under "message for my sponsor", she writes:

Dear Roland and Sharon Landers, Thank you for your letter and sweet family photo. I'm fine due to God's grace. I'm proud to be your sponsoring child. Please pray for me and my family."

She drew a picture of a very colorful house...purple and blue and orange and yellow, with flowers in a pot. She wrote "bai bai" on top of the house.

In His peaceful presence,

Sharon

Mail Call!

In the mail today was a letter from our Beatriz in Brazil, thanking us for a money gift that we sent. She was able to buy two pairs of sandals, some clothes, and an umbrella. I'm trying to picture the purchase of the umbrella, wondering if the project worker urged her to buy it because she needed it, or if it was a pretty one and Beatriz just wanted it because she had some money left over. She didn't say what color it is, but I hope it's a pretty "girly" color, like pink or yellow or maybe different colors with flowers on it!

Beatriz, enjoy wearing your new sandals and clothes! I hope it rains soon so that you can use your new umbrella!

I'm linking up with Michelle at www.bloggingfromtheboonies.com on her Mail Call Monday!


In His grace,

Sharon

1st letter from Armando!

Today, I was thrilled to receive my first letter from Armando, my most recent correspondent child. Little Armando just turned 7 years old in June and lives in Guatemala.

"Dear Sponsor: Please pray for his family so that God gives them health. A greeting to my sponsor! Armando greets you, he sends hugs to you. Thank you for the sponsorship. God bless you and your beloved ones."

It was one of those form letters, but it thrilled my heart to get it! Armando drew a picture on the back. I just love receiving letters when they draw us a picture! He drew a blue truck with someone riding in it (him?), and the sun shining above.

Armando's drawing

Praying for Armando, that the Lord will watch over him and keep him healthy, happy and safe.

Have you heard from your sponsored children recently?

In His grace,

Sharon

Mail Call with www.bloggingfromtheboonies.com

Mail Call Monday!

Mail Call Monday

During the past week, I received two letters from my correspondent child, Hosea, in Tanzania. I'm always reluctant to call him a "child" because he's 20 years old, so he's really a young man. And, from his letters, which of course he writes himself, he's a very polite young man. In both letters, he seems to be so very grateful that someone cared enough to write him. Here are his letters:



Letter 1:

"I greet you in the name of Jesus. We are all doing very fine in here. I believe you are doing fine as well. I really want to thank you for your introduction to me, and how you chose me. It's incredible for sure. I am now in the mid-term holiday and I am helping my parents to do some domestic activities. I am learning masonry and brick laying. I did the first examination and when we open the school we are going to get the results. I would like to get reading in the book of John 9:4-5. Goodbye and God bless you and open the doors of blessings to you."

Letter 2:

"I greet you all in the name of Jesus Christ. I am doing very fine and my parents are doing fine too. I am so happy to hear that you are fine and I feel so special just because you have chosen me. Thank you so much. I normally attend to the project and school as well. We are in the middle of one term and I am expecting to do better in school. We are now in little to long holiday, and I will be back in school in 16 of 07 2012. I am helping my parents to do some home activities. I have a bible scripture for you in the book of Psalm 41:1-2. God bless you."

Mail Call Monday is hosted by www.bloggingfromtheboonies.com. Check it out!


In His grace,


Sharon


I welcome your comments!

Letter from Beatriz

After receiving my first letter from Andre, I was so happy to see another cream colored envelope in my mail box today! The letter was from Beatriz, our sponsored child in Brazil. She writes:

"Hello. How are you? I'm well. My mom is 5-month pregnant with a boy. I'm happy. Do you have children? Thanks for the letter. I always pray for you. May the Jesus' love be in your life. Pray for me and my family. In the project I play doll, color and run. We learn about Jesus. My teacher is so cool and I like her a lot. Thanks a lot for everything you do for me. May God bless you. Pray for me always. Hugs."

I'm glad to hear that Beatriz is happy about the arrival of her new little brother soon. I don't know how this will play into their situation. I may call the Compassion office to see if they can tell me anything about Beatriz and her mom that I'm not yet aware of, but it sounds like Beatriz is well and happy! I smiled when I read that she thinks her teacher "is so cool". I wonder what the Portuguese word is for "cool"...?


I'm not sure what to think about her question asking us if we have children. I've told her all about our family. Maybe the project worker who helped her with this letter just stuck that in there. In any case, I'm working on a small scrapbook that I'm going to send her soon, with all of our pictures in it.


She also drew us another picture. It seems that she loves to draw and color. This picture appears to be a boy and a girl with swimsuits on, standing on the beach. Beside them is a big slide that leads down into a swimming pool. I wonder if she has had the opportunity to go swimming like this or if this is just from her "wish list". She did a great job. As soon as I can find the time to sit down and scan for a while, I'll scan in some of her very wonderful artwork!


We pray for you, too, Beatriz. May God bless you today.


I'm linking up with www.bloggingfromtheboonies.com! Wonderful blog!


In His grace,


Sharon

First letter from Andre!

I was so excited to see a letter in my mailbox, and was thrilled that it is my first letter from Andre, a new correspondent child. Andre is 16, in the 10th grade and lives in Indonesia. His information indicated that he plays the guitar, but I wasn't sure if that was accurate, if it is something he would like to do, or if he really plays. Well, in his letter, he tells me that he is the guitarist in his church! I would love to find out from him if he can read music or plays by ear. If he can read music, then I'll be able to send him some sheet music!

"Thank you for being my sponsor. My name is Andreano (Andre). I am 16 years old. I live in Tondangow district with dad and mom. My best friends are Heman, Arthur and Kevin. My hobby is playing guitar. I don't have pet. My favorite colors are white and blue. My favorite food is fried rice. David is a man who's clever to play harp. And, I am also greatful for God's love and mercy to trust me in serving as guitarist in church, in this case melodist. God is good to me, and also to Roland and Sharon Landers. How old are you both now? Please pray for me because I'm going to face grade exam. That's all from me. May God bless the activity of Roland and Sharon Landers."

What a wonderful first letter! My oldest son's name is Kevin, so there's a connection. And, I play the piano, so we have music in common. I'm so excited to learn about his life and I look forward to getting to know him better.


May God bless you, Andre!


In His grace,


Sharon