The first letter was from 13-year-old Predilien in Haiti. Predilien was my first correspondent child over two years ago. However, he is also the one that I feel least connected to, mainly because his letters are often very short and nearly identical to one another.
That makes this letter even more special to me. I am finally seeing some engagement from this young man and am thrilled by it. He writes: "Today Predilien says he is happy to greet you in the Lord's name. How are you? He is happy to write to you. He and his family are doing well with Jesus. He thanks you for the letter. (This is about where a typical letter would end but this one continues...) He says he is happy to learn that you have 2 dogs and a horse. He is happy that you can ride a horse. The horse's foot is white. He would like if his father got a horse too! He is now taking his exams to move on to grade 5. He asks to pray for him to do well on his exams and spend a nice summer vacation. He hopes the Lord will bless you and your family."
Although the letter was still written by Predilien's father, this is the most I have ever gotten out of this sweet boy. Clearly my pets letter earlier in the spring was a hit (all the kids have mentioned it now). I may have to send more Amerigold letters in the future since he seems enthusiastic about horses.
I'll just paraphrase the rest of the letters to keep this somewhat shorter.
The next letter was from 13-year-old Rafael in Ecuador.
Rafael's letter is a response to the letter I sent about Easter. He says that during Holy Week they "watch movies about Jesus and analyze if we are doing things correctly." Not an Easter tradition I've heard of before but ok. He also asks for prayers for his grandmother who was recently diagnosed with diabetes.
Although he is a new addition, I am quickly coming to love this funny, sweet boy and look forward to getting to know him better.
Next was 19-year-old Joan from Uganda.
Joan is another newish addition from around the same time as Rafael. She is such a sweet young woman though and I am coming to cherish her letters (especially since they are in English).
She begins with greetings, including from her older sister who acts as her guardian since their mother left them, then thanks me for letters and pictures sent. She says that at the center they are learning knitting, music, and worship skills. She also asks for prayers for upcoming exams. Joan also sent a memory verse for me: Revelation 10:10-11.
My final letter was from darling 11-year-old Marlen in El Salvador.
Marlen wrote on the topic of 'my favorites' this time. She says that she likes soccer, pink, and parakeets (although she does not have any pets of her own). Her favorite verse is Proverbs 18:10: "The name of the Lord is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high." She tells me that her mother has found a job, and asks for prayers that she will always have a job. Then my dear girl says, "I love you and I hope you com back to this country." My heart is melting and I am close to tears after reading that sweet line. Oh how I wish to be back there holding my girl in my arms once again. I can only pray that somehow our dream will come true.
I just adore these kids and cherish every letter I get from each of them! I'm pretty proud of myself too for being able to get an idea of what my Spanish kids wrote before I read the translations. (I'm trying to learn Spanish in preparation for hopefully returning to Central America for an extended amount of time.)
