tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48585310604225964512024-03-14T07:41:48.150-02:30The Path of the Carpenter"We will follow the steps of Jesus, where'er they go."Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-53522038239587498212019-04-08T15:02:00.000-02:302019-04-08T15:02:20.764-02:30Please Won't You Be My Neighbor? <br />
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i>"So
let's make the most of this beautiful day</i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i>Since
we're together, we might as well say</i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i>Would
you be mine,</i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i>Could
you be mine,</i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i>Won't
you be my neighbor?"</i></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i>~Mr.
Rogers' Neighborhood theme</i></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I
think if each of us was to pick a childhood television show that made
an impact on the way we see the world around us, that taught us about
loving people no matter what they might look like or what different
abilities they might have, most of us might name Mr. Rogers'
Neighborhood.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8YOf5WeUYvc2VN8Uxs25N2Enwgw2rTK1amLXCE_yrldyULUUDEAxz6h5QVkyt66iD_klvtD11bdDm9-3xeotrCMzrrRKLM4jQr6Rj2e755ytgAXDrBw5RpxUy2Jnw7z4ybgEr7z_bM4/s1600/DivaMan_as_Officer_Clemmons.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8YOf5WeUYvc2VN8Uxs25N2Enwgw2rTK1amLXCE_yrldyULUUDEAxz6h5QVkyt66iD_klvtD11bdDm9-3xeotrCMzrrRKLM4jQr6Rj2e755ytgAXDrBw5RpxUy2Jnw7z4ybgEr7z_bM4/s320/DivaMan_as_Officer_Clemmons.png" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Rogers and Officer Clemmons share a dip in a wading pool. Wikimedia Commons image.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">As
an adult, I still find myself looking up a few old episodes for
nostalgia's sake. And each time I do, I am amazing at how
forward-thinking Fred Rogers was for his time. In a time of hate and
racial discrimination, a time when people disabilities were often
institutionalized and seen as something to be afraid of, Mr. Rogers
welcomed people with differences as friends and neighbors. Whether it
was sharing a wading pool with a policeman of a different race, or
asking a child to demonstrate how to use an electric wheelchair, how
often did we hear him say those iconic words, "I love you, and
I'm proud of you"? Mr. Rogers certainly followed Jesus' command
to "love your neighbor as yourself."</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">I
often think, what would our world be like if we all acted a little
more like Mr. Rogers? If we shared our love with everyone we came in
contact with, if we did our best to say something positive about
everyone, and if instead of seeing differences, we saw "neighbors"?</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Today,
right now, we have the opportunity to be good neighbors to someone in
need. Here in Canada, mosquito bites are an annoying (and itchy) but
normal part of summer. In Awassa Tanzania, however, mosquito bites
can be fatal. <i>Every day</i>, 3,000 children (that's almost the
population of my community!) die from malaria; a disease that is both
curable AND easily preventable! With insecticide-treated mosquito
nets, children and their families can sleep safely and comfortably
knowing that they will be protected from disease carrying pests. </span>
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">In
2010, there were an estimated 655,000 deaths from malaria. To put
that in perspective, that's almost <i>six times </i>the population of
our capital city of St. John's! In one year! </span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyBcZQGTU-DToCLkVkTeiwbbi5O0jsKsRGvDGS7bQSrihuu6Y75lfONPGBtL2oxywZ7jZk_3GfmrzINpMtvZGUh0Mq8rS9M288Bq65m-e6Kr6WVbId-TrQjVpF-bNLVChpFD7xo8rIoU/s1600/fund-malaria-smiling-boy-in-net_M.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="450" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyBcZQGTU-DToCLkVkTeiwbbi5O0jsKsRGvDGS7bQSrihuu6Y75lfONPGBtL2oxywZ7jZk_3GfmrzINpMtvZGUh0Mq8rS9M288Bq65m-e6Kr6WVbId-TrQjVpF-bNLVChpFD7xo8rIoU/s320/fund-malaria-smiling-boy-in-net_M.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A boy smiles from behind a mosquito net. Copyright Compassion International</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">For
only 18 dollars, you can provide a child with a mosquito net and
life-saving malarial treatment. To learn more, please visit </span><a href="https://www.compassion.com/malaria-intervention.htm?referer=129880" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Compassion: Malaria Intervention</a></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">"(And
Jesus said) Which of these three seems to you to have been a neighbor
of the one having fallen among the robbers? </span></i></span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">And
he (the teacher of the law) said, "The </span></i></span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">one</span></i></span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">having
shown compassion toward him." Then Jesus said to him, "You
go and do likewise."</span></i></span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><i>
</i></span></span>
</div>
<br />Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-78792635753426392192018-02-18T21:51:00.000-03:302018-02-18T21:51:45.355-03:30Pleased To Meet You: Isimbi<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Welcome
to the fourth installment of my series, "Pleased To Meet You!" I
haven't done one for a while, but I am so excited to introduce a
very special young lady to you all! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Name:
</b>Isimbi</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Age:
</b>14</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Birthday:
</b>August 8</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Country:
</b>Rwanda</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3__xBSEOdEwEez4fTbSqId1hDY5ZPrxz3cYerxXueWAsEM2OPrSMkA9S3gcDmF0rLRTbFovnyhqFs9zrrW-oYgF7iWCWecGJ935SKmO9OTQHhZRDRNdaN3Tu0T6iHhlWkS1sv-pknF20/s1600/Isimbi%2527s+first+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="794" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3__xBSEOdEwEez4fTbSqId1hDY5ZPrxz3cYerxXueWAsEM2OPrSMkA9S3gcDmF0rLRTbFovnyhqFs9zrrW-oYgF7iWCWecGJ935SKmO9OTQHhZRDRNdaN3Tu0T6iHhlWkS1sv-pknF20/s400/Isimbi%2527s+first+picture.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isimbi's very first Compassion photo at age 7!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">OUR
RELATIONSHIP: </b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Isimbi will
always be special to me, since she was my very first Compassion
child! At the time, the leaders of the youth group I was attending
had traveled several times to Rwanda. Since they had a heart for that
country, they suggested that we, as a group, sponsor a child there.
They called Compassion Canada and requested a child from Rwanda. The
packet arrived, and on it, the sweetest, shyest-looking little
7-year-old girl. The youth group has since dissolved, but the former
leaders continue to sponsor Isimbi, and they have given her over to
me as a correspondent. What a blessing it has been to know this sweet
girl in the five years she's been a part of my life!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5g440pqP9dgEGGKdYtQjR3yzHwX1DKy-klMTZgIrvPqEEz-cczfEHKQnFCItabl_hG478F40QI53GIOBneLAhrm1PqjLAK55U2h0aQOy-5y8tcdXn2ni3aSk7fJKtC8724j3qKTXNdI/s1600/Isimbi%2527s+second+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="797" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5g440pqP9dgEGGKdYtQjR3yzHwX1DKy-klMTZgIrvPqEEz-cczfEHKQnFCItabl_hG478F40QI53GIOBneLAhrm1PqjLAK55U2h0aQOy-5y8tcdXn2ni3aSk7fJKtC8724j3qKTXNdI/s400/Isimbi%2527s+second+picture.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isimbi's second Compassion photo; 9 years old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">ABOUT
ISIMBI: </b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Isimbi lives in the
southern part of Rwanda with her grandmother, mother, and younger
brother. Her mother often works away from home, and often Isimbi and
her brother stay with just their grandmother. Isimbi is a very
studious girl who enjoys school and really focuses on her grades. She
is a very quiet, polite , and thoughtful girl, always careful to
express appreciation for each and every item and letter that is sent.
She has a sense of humour and enjoys funny things and spending time
with her friends.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>EXTRA
PHOTOS: </b>I am blessed to have
several extra photos of Isimbi! When she was nine years old, a church
team visited Rwanda and sent back some lovely photos! In the photo
below, Isimbi (far left in the pink dress) and her brother (beside
her in the white shirt) pose with some of their neighborhood friends.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLrK_gSaIADs6WJ4i5gl4T71IiOyZojTDeqYk7SRb7nDKCV446NGCKfEQj_nw5FuESYMWCmUw3xLNNgsxOGd3piS95RFzduO_kh61dXL205NgYhRhFyPyuIroZPhHtZJ2e6EdJVnL4nk/s1600/Isimbi+and+friends.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLrK_gSaIADs6WJ4i5gl4T71IiOyZojTDeqYk7SRb7nDKCV446NGCKfEQj_nw5FuESYMWCmUw3xLNNgsxOGd3piS95RFzduO_kh61dXL205NgYhRhFyPyuIroZPhHtZJ2e6EdJVnL4nk/s400/Isimbi+and+friends.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In
2015, a good friend of mine also traveled to Rwanda and was able to
meet Isimbi. In the photo below, Isimbi displays her beautiful smile
and excitement at having a guest come to see her and her project! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLoHeeIm5mOTJSDGg-29p8Kj6lewwBE0aK3N16YbK3_3DZL4IABD8OmiI2G1GL7FLlwylb9QAHZ6-cxsMwpk0HJ8RXFSOIM4C980I8sM6JMuXWVXEC2pvuo0enzOrGzrvZ76qGmNNy1I/s1600/12168724_10153025669236541_835251010_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1279" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLoHeeIm5mOTJSDGg-29p8Kj6lewwBE0aK3N16YbK3_3DZL4IABD8OmiI2G1GL7FLlwylb9QAHZ6-cxsMwpk0HJ8RXFSOIM4C980I8sM6JMuXWVXEC2pvuo0enzOrGzrvZ76qGmNNy1I/s320/12168724_10153025669236541_835251010_o.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>LETTER
EXCERPTS:</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
thank God you choosed me among all the other people."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"Thank
you so much for the letter you sent me and the birthday card. Thank
you for caring."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"Thank
you for being a good parent to me and may God bless you."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"Send
our best regards to your complete family and we love you all so
much!"</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
like funny things."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"When
will you come to visit me?"</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"My
brother and my grandmother love you so much, and so do I!"</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
sat for my National Exams that end the Primary classes, please pray
for me so that I may pass and go to high school."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"Are
you doing well? I believe that you are also doing fine and the
family. We are in holidays and planting sorghum and beans."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH80UFm8gApMjBB99S671qVc3mjZeF7OC4lNUFKD9lzultKWuALOLCJ5aL69YArd9tnqxFhVnGgG0MEpsKHBUueG9pdjowFhCqEvuJJs-AG3GNcvik3b3EECwMYa1qpY1HRkTKixlsZwE/s1600/Isimbi%2527s+third+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="759" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH80UFm8gApMjBB99S671qVc3mjZeF7OC4lNUFKD9lzultKWuALOLCJ5aL69YArd9tnqxFhVnGgG0MEpsKHBUueG9pdjowFhCqEvuJJs-AG3GNcvik3b3EECwMYa1qpY1HRkTKixlsZwE/s400/Isimbi%2527s+third+picture.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isimbi's third Compassion photo, age 10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
thank you for the letter you sent to me and Bible Verses. They
inspired me so much. I was happy because God knows my name."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
would like to thank you for having sent your friend to see me, I was
indeed very touched and happy."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
am helping my parent with some work at home like sweeping, fetching
water, and different activities. In Rwanda, we are now experiencing a
dry season. For you, which weather are you experiencing?"</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
thank you for the letters you sent to me, they pleased me very much,
they contain beautiful photos and nice stickers."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"We
are preparing for commemoration period for our fellows who died in
genocide in 1994.I wish you a happy Easter. I love you so much."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
loved the calendar you sent me."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"It
is rainy here in Rwanda, it is so cold, how is weather over there?
I'm doing well in school and I hope to pass well this term. I know
you pray for me. I always pray for you to be protected by God with
your whole family."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
know a bit English which I learned from school. My best friend is M.
and we attend together at the project Compassion. My role model is my
grandmother and in the Bible my role model is Hannah because she
endured the temptation."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"We
had happy holidays and we will celebrate Christmas in the month of 12
and we have Christmas tree, I was glad to hear that you are
volunteering by helping some children and may God continue to help
you."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
thank you for the way you take care of me and may God bless you."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"Thank
you for the lovely letter you sent to me, I was so happy because of
the questions you asked me. I love you and my parents love you too.
Thank you so much.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vAtSWxREEdm54tbZMyjDIk1m39-YmbmeH65DlSXkue9Wl2yjqsy5gC5B_T1gE5AIAojCYd7wK99bqLyX39B3V13O_IYzozWlZ2EEyILlhyo40Kn4auX9mbqQOgpUsxBrBUCtGjSNefQ/s1600/Isimbi%2527s+fourth+picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vAtSWxREEdm54tbZMyjDIk1m39-YmbmeH65DlSXkue9Wl2yjqsy5gC5B_T1gE5AIAojCYd7wK99bqLyX39B3V13O_IYzozWlZ2EEyILlhyo40Kn4auX9mbqQOgpUsxBrBUCtGjSNefQ/s400/Isimbi%2527s+fourth+picture2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isimbi's most recent photo, age 12</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-42860240881908619682018-02-17T18:46:00.000-03:302018-02-17T18:46:31.095-03:30Letters From The Newest Three<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">What
is it they say about the best of intentions?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Well,
I'm not going to give anybody any long excuses for how long I've been
absent from this blog... I can only promise with all sincerity that I
<i>WILL</i> try to do better in the future!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
recently realized that although I've shared many letters from my kids
since I've started my blog, I haven't shared any of the letters from
my newest correspondent kids! That will change today!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjige8xW-X_2D7w2nzvs62nTUHoLMi9C07zdbnYAD3Gz9kf1_Ht_GozbAEJktAFoxlsG_f2E8EqRU7zaiGo0FiQeGl6qcm6TWIh2pTjZekevKrgz_HCqu873ywB6A1sKWCWAVtizj9Vw/s1600/pizap.com15189052896001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="577" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjige8xW-X_2D7w2nzvs62nTUHoLMi9C07zdbnYAD3Gz9kf1_Ht_GozbAEJktAFoxlsG_f2E8EqRU7zaiGo0FiQeGl6qcm6TWIh2pTjZekevKrgz_HCqu873ywB6A1sKWCWAVtizj9Vw/s320/pizap.com15189052896001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Let's
start off with Elijah in Kenya, who was assigned to me in February of
last year. It took a while for the letters to get flowing back and
forth, but I've received 4 of them so far! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In
his most recent letter, he says: </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">"<i>First
and foremost I greet you in Jesus' Name. How is you with your family?
I am doing well, in my studies I was promoted to the next class. Pray
for me next year I will be candidate for national exam. I hope you
are doing well in all activities. How is the weather in your country?
In our country the weather is cool and wet. How is your holiday? Mine
is good. I hope to see you in future. Thank you for your support. May
God blessed you and reward your work. Have a blessed Christmas and a
happy New Year.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Elijah
also drew me this great picture of a ball, house, and tree!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6bEgN2qARpFA4qjamoYuXzuk16rOzxRYK-Am9cH-9OmtBXwAX2luVlodjfvMM6tS_JzrDCYRh2muOO0vd9-Qnhyphenhyphen32F-8QvsPBoEunYIrJpUiKX6cfr7wYEKpjSyTaTqIuQt2aG1iq6c/s1600/elijahdrawing3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6bEgN2qARpFA4qjamoYuXzuk16rOzxRYK-Am9cH-9OmtBXwAX2luVlodjfvMM6tS_JzrDCYRh2muOO0vd9-Qnhyphenhyphen32F-8QvsPBoEunYIrJpUiKX6cfr7wYEKpjSyTaTqIuQt2aG1iq6c/s320/elijahdrawing3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Next
up we have Gifty in Uganda! Gifty has been a fun one to get to
know... she has great tutors who help her answer all of my questions,
and I have even gotten a personal letter written by the project
director on her behalf, telling me all about her!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2wC14GdFB1HpczQ3tAwk32VIMXOKfNrwH40YfIBTT5fdn2UVhJIAUGP7HcXoEGrpqZP_ypuRubjnN7ZrvZTaadn4hZMAJqB-rBsrWCr4lEFd6ePD2_mZfSaDGs6jL_sMpXpcVL-5fEg/s1600/giftycrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="577" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2wC14GdFB1HpczQ3tAwk32VIMXOKfNrwH40YfIBTT5fdn2UVhJIAUGP7HcXoEGrpqZP_ypuRubjnN7ZrvZTaadn4hZMAJqB-rBsrWCr4lEFd6ePD2_mZfSaDGs6jL_sMpXpcVL-5fEg/s320/giftycrop.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This
letter was on the "What I Like Best" template. She says:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>What
I like to do best with my family is: </b>I
sweep the house, fetch water and wash dishes.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>What
I like to do best with my friends is: </b>Fetching
water and playing skipping rope.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>What
I like best about the project is: </b>Food,
prayers and singing.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>The
teacher I like best in school is: </b>Teacher
D. because she loves me and teaches well.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>The
place I like best to visit is: </b>The
United States of America.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Hello
my special sponsor Hannah. I am fine and my families are doing good.
I had a wonderful Christmas this year. Yes in Uganda we have turkeys.
</i>(I
had told her about eating turkey at Christmas, and asked if they have
turkeys in Uganda.) <i>I
am thankful for taking time to pray for my father. God bless you. I
have not heard about Luke in Bible but I'm happy that you told me
about him now. I love the photos you send for me. You and your
parents looks wonderful. I think you look like your mother. I also
look like my mother. </i>(I
sent her a picture of my parents and asked her which parent I looked
most like, and then asked her which family member she looks most
like.) <i>You did a
great work to award me with special certificate. </i>(A
"good job for showing love to others" award.) <i>You
are the best. Thanks I love you.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Gifty
also drew this picture for me, labeled, "This is me wearing my
best outfit."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SSgsUwdlH7F5LrCtVTNmlficHH4zptWLOBkCw4oNwBGhbxTQ-mTxlrXIucU2u8SYE9YB1nPUPwkoDLvWRMhnC9aZPqLuqws0Os42H45f0G8Wjhy1qWsbHUBe2a-nCioAD6oQq3_cwxE/s1600/imagesg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SSgsUwdlH7F5LrCtVTNmlficHH4zptWLOBkCw4oNwBGhbxTQ-mTxlrXIucU2u8SYE9YB1nPUPwkoDLvWRMhnC9aZPqLuqws0Os42H45f0G8Wjhy1qWsbHUBe2a-nCioAD6oQq3_cwxE/s320/imagesg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Last
but of course not least, we have a letter from Jessica in Ghana! I
have received two letters from Jessica. Her second one was written by
a project worker since she was unable to be present on letter-writing
day, so I will just share the first one with you! Ghanaian letters
are also written on a type of form letter, so I will type it out as
it's written.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><i>Dear:
</i></b><i>Hannah</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><i>Thank
you message for sponsor: </i></b><i>I'm
thanking you for your sponsorship. God richly bless you and your
family.</i> </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>Child's
new experiences at project/home/school/community, etc: </b>I'm
now promoted to J.H.S. two now and I'm the class prefect in my class.
And I'm still the elderly sister in my family house. </i></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>Child's
response to sponsor's questions: </b>My
friend's names are R., E., and C. Things I enjoy doing together with
them are reading some storybooks and singing together with them. I'm
in J.H.S. two now.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>Prayer
request from child: </b>I want you
to pray for me to understand whatever they teach me in my class and
project too.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>Prayer
for my sponsor: </b>I pray that God
should give you the understanding and the knowledge to understand
whatever you are doing. </i></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><b>Memory
Verse: </b>Psalm 103. Praise the
Lord, my soul! All my being, praise his holy name! </i></span></span></span>
</div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
Jessica drew this beautiful flower for me! </span></span></span>
</div>
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I'm
so thankful to be hearing from my precious children! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-61674757573566188632017-08-07T15:12:00.000-02:302017-08-07T15:12:04.433-02:30Pleased To Meet You: Basomingera<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Welcome
to the third installment of my series "Pleased to Meet You!"
I'm really enjoying being able to introduce my sponsored and
correspondent kids to you!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Today
I want to introduce you to my second correspondent child!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Name:
</b>Basomingera Ada</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Age:
</b>13</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Birthday:
</b>September 10</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Country:
</b>Rwanda</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcjBePsdTcWnu4ujfTM5X5kfkrqJiBYXSAw43JoyS_9OEEgNnvvKQjaGTgMoMpdBJOPnImCEVFH-erDIlsCihM18EVWla75EgSyDnId8c2maE0Avryvy_MC8VjFTUbZZSr0lyRofp30w/s1600/Basomingera+age+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcjBePsdTcWnu4ujfTM5X5kfkrqJiBYXSAw43JoyS_9OEEgNnvvKQjaGTgMoMpdBJOPnImCEVFH-erDIlsCihM18EVWla75EgSyDnId8c2maE0Avryvy_MC8VjFTUbZZSr0lyRofp30w/s400/Basomingera+age+9.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first photo of Ada that I received! 8 years old.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">OUR
RELATIONSHIP: </b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Basomingera came
to me in a very special way. At the time, I only had one
correspondent child that I was writing to on behalf of our youth
group (Isimbi). I really wanted another little girl from Rwanda,
someone close to Isimbi in age, so they could be friends if I ever
had the opportunity to travel to meet them. I had requested for my
name to be put on the correspondent waiting list for a child (any
age, any gender) from Rwanda, but as the months dragged by and there
was no response, I began to fear that my name had somehow gotten
removed from the list ( it had). Several of my friends had gotten
assigned new correspondent children, and I mentioned that I had been
waiting a very long time for a child in Rwanda. Imagine my surprise
when I received a private message from a friend saying that she had
just gotten assigned a girl from Rwanda, and would I like to have her
instead? She assured me that she didn't mind at all going back on the
list for a child from any country, but perhaps I would like to have
this little one? Of course I immediately said yes! Although the only
things I knew about her were her name, her age (9, exactly one month
younger than Isimbi!) and that she lived with her mother, I somehow
knew that this child was going to become very special to me. And
indeed she is my "heart child." I love all of my children,
but Ada has connected with me in a very close and very special way.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzUN5YFIGNLm90auYNng6QUKqN58avO7k06v10wLKyO2UfLlgMZgNLMygI8JhfMjkTacAg43sTbTrF0m2i8PdC7gaicLJh4upI65CNzrYrEpybcDQHZkrnsqNLiuS26ioYo8uG7UL5m0/s1600/Basomingera+age+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzUN5YFIGNLm90auYNng6QUKqN58avO7k06v10wLKyO2UfLlgMZgNLMygI8JhfMjkTacAg43sTbTrF0m2i8PdC7gaicLJh4upI65CNzrYrEpybcDQHZkrnsqNLiuS26ioYo8uG7UL5m0/s400/Basomingera+age+10.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ada, age 10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>ABOUT
BASOMINGERA: </b>Ada lives in the
eastern part of Rwanda with her mother, her two older sisters Anitha
and Amina, and her brother Olivier. Her father is deceased. Ada is an
above-average student in school who loves mathematics and dreams of
being a doctor one day. She loves to write letters and crams as many
words as she can into the space she is given! I call her my little chatterbox! She loves stickers and
photos, the color yellow, and helping her mum with the garden. She is
very affectionate in her letters and always thanks me repeatedly for
the little things I send her. She is a young lady with some big
dreams and big hopes for her future! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>EXTRA
PHOTOS: </b>In April of 2013, a
sponsor visiting Rwanda from the US offered to take a quart-sized
baggie to Ada with some little gifts and toys from me! Several months
later, I got this beautiful photo of her holding the little stuffed
dog that I had sent her! Her big brown eyes never fail to melt my
heart!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTa7uzWYXvZ5dUVJm5YuPI-Ou4yDrOdRqrHt3WI7MZP0Yp1AhS8slmqPuFo2Jx3rIeha5C3o1SLQS1qYtwjOeuvOHSLSE7t4UOdX-8I21Waj3rLwun3ireFIApmfUWoEFOwzI-p80QD4/s1600/Ada+with+puppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTa7uzWYXvZ5dUVJm5YuPI-Ou4yDrOdRqrHt3WI7MZP0Yp1AhS8slmqPuFo2Jx3rIeha5C3o1SLQS1qYtwjOeuvOHSLSE7t4UOdX-8I21Waj3rLwun3ireFIApmfUWoEFOwzI-p80QD4/s400/Ada+with+puppy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>LETTER
EXCERPTS:</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
have my best friends, we share food and play different games
together. My best friend is Sandrine."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
miss you, I love you and I keep you in my prayers."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
thank you for the nice letter you wrote me and many other letters you
keep sending me and tell me that Jesus is a Friend who can never
forsake me."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
first of all greet you, wishing you the peace of God and thank you so
much for your having accepted to be my sponsor. It reminds me of how
Jesus loved me and accepted to be my sponsor."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
am so glad to hear from you and know that I am part of your family."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOadAf1I0l1tj44H6kjBeukP4VxNRnwCOFvFNlywYMQ99DQxTdh0eA1f4-EyzuDII0LtVavOHeDfLLw-_DKdGz6x7iGRO0gpStIcQuOrwwdJJ8_-Zo84-dz_N97eeEuOkO0BnTwrjxr2E/s1600/Basomigera+age+7-ish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="769" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOadAf1I0l1tj44H6kjBeukP4VxNRnwCOFvFNlywYMQ99DQxTdh0eA1f4-EyzuDII0LtVavOHeDfLLw-_DKdGz6x7iGRO0gpStIcQuOrwwdJJ8_-Zo84-dz_N97eeEuOkO0BnTwrjxr2E/s400/Basomigera+age+7-ish.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ada's very first Compassion photo at age 6</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"My
name Basomingera means to go deep in water."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"Have
peace from God and a Merry Christmas. I thank God Who connected us.
Me and my family there is no one sick. Continue having a Merry
Christmas. I wish that you show me your father and mother and I wish
them a Merry Christmas. I wish to be a doctor and I wish to see you.
Merry Christmas."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
thank you for being a good parent and i was happy for the good things
you always do to me. I believe to have a better future."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"Thank
you so much for taking care of me in my daily life. Thank you for
keeping me in your prayers."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"i
appreciate your letter and the photos that were many! And it was so
nice. I wonder when did God give you such a love that you show me?"</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
am thankful to you for your letter, I am glad you love me. Here I
have your three letters with encouraging words and giving hope to my
soul and hope for a better life. A Compassion worker is the one who
took this photograph of mine, which you sent back with stars and
cakes which is good and it has given me hope."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
always feel so glad to see photos which you send to me. I wish to see
that church which you pray from."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"In
the last semester I got good marks, 61%. I keep on praying for good
marks. Please keep me in your prayers to improve on my marks. I
continue to pray for you too, and may God bless you and family."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
thank you so much for your letter you wrote me with all the beautiful
touching words. In Rwanda, we do not have a Christmas tree. I also
thank you for the decorations you sent me. I had a wonderful
Christmas and my family was all well."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"How
are you doing there? Am also doing well with my family no problem.
Thanks for praying for me and I do pray for you as well."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
thank you for the letter you sent me. I was so happy to hear that you
receive my letters, and that your parents are doing well in Alberta.
I liked your picture in a heart style. It shows how much you love me
and that picture will always be a remembrance in my life. Thanks!" </i></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBSm-cMSfPi20R5OrnVbbmAvYNh1bmHsL7YOeJ5vmxcI6o82CsmJMZosDS7ZEmee0rood7GhszYr6oeTGDPiXtvphFtzKUoidVdQdfq7SU1-FbIF6MVxvvTZktM2W57GDYb7xrHu8k5w/s1600/Basomingera+age+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBSm-cMSfPi20R5OrnVbbmAvYNh1bmHsL7YOeJ5vmxcI6o82CsmJMZosDS7ZEmee0rood7GhszYr6oeTGDPiXtvphFtzKUoidVdQdfq7SU1-FbIF6MVxvvTZktM2W57GDYb7xrHu8k5w/s400/Basomingera+age+12.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ada's most recent Compassion photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-59496080006082191662017-07-17T21:52:00.002-02:302017-07-20T11:20:41.419-02:30When God Says Yes<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There
is a saying that you may have heard me repeat from time to time. It's
just this... when God says Yes, don't say no! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">What
this means to me is, when God decides that He has a "mission",
or something that He wants you to accomplish, He will make sure that
you do it! There's no point in saying "No", or "Not
now Lord", or "I can't afford it", or "it's too
difficult"... believe me, God will find a way of gently nudging
you (or hitting you with a thunderbolt, whichever you prefer). </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I'm
sure He chuckles at us.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Anyways,
I have felt for a long time (more than five years, in fact) that God
was calling me to sponsor in Ghana. And it just didn't happen right
away for whatever reason... I ended up taking over the financial
sponsorship of a couple of my correspondent children, and then
requested other correspondent children from different countries, and
Ghana just kept getting overlooked for whatever reason. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A
few of my friends sponsor in Ghana, and some of them have had
difficulties in building a close relationship with their children
there... one of my friends has gotten the exact same drawing from her
child over 20 times! I'll admit, that saddened me a bit. I'm a
relational person... I'm <i>all </i>about the personal relationships.
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"But
God," </i>I argued. <i>"I have children in Kenya and
Indonesia that write me amazing letters. The need is so great in so
many countries. I have friends in Rwanda. I speak some of their
language. I feel connected to my kids there. Why Ghana? I don't know
anybody in Ghana. I don't know anything about the culture. Why
Ghana?"</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
my heart continued to be broken as I read about how common the
practice of child slavery is in Ghana, and as I saw how rampant the
poverty and how dire the need. During this time, my heart was really
moved by the account of another Compassion sponsor who has traveled
to Ghana several times to meet her children and raise funds for a
library in her children's community... here's the link if you want to
read for yourself. <a href="http://compassioncan.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Compassion Can ~ Beyond Measure</a></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
still I felt God wanted me to sponsor, or correspond, with a child in
Ghana. <i>"I'm having a hard time coming up with letter ideas
now," </i>I told God. <i>"I have already replaced the two
of my children that are graduating with new correspondents. Surely
You don't want me to go back on the waiting list again?" </i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">And
I put it off yet again.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
then, I checked my Compassion account to see if there were any
letters on the way to me... and I saw a new face!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fJvJ2ww9XZP5dFPHh4AEKyQ71p9iSNWDqyHFhdCvdZbxbuR4wOZ91KtjIsgvY4AkFLTYSotMK6tfwnOb3PfWDFJHOMN2RhY9RmM6igBXdw4Rud2U9D_lYPqogQYyTE0iPnzH3paxPuc/s1600/pizap.com15003345235071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="767" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fJvJ2ww9XZP5dFPHh4AEKyQ71p9iSNWDqyHFhdCvdZbxbuR4wOZ91KtjIsgvY4AkFLTYSotMK6tfwnOb3PfWDFJHOMN2RhY9RmM6igBXdw4Rud2U9D_lYPqogQYyTE0iPnzH3paxPuc/s400/pizap.com15003345235071.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A
15-year-old girl. From Ghana.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Wait
a minute... I wasn't even on the waiting list! Then it must be a
mistake... she must be meant for someone else. </i></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
refused to get excited. The office was already closed for the day, so
I had to wait until the following day to find out if she was actually
my child and if I could actually keep her. I told myself I wouldn't
get attached to her... she may have been assigned to me by accident,
maybe through a computer glitch or someone entering the wrong account
number, and perhaps she already had a loving sponsor who wanted to
write to her themselves. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
as I continued to tell myself I wouldn't get attached to her, I tried
to ignore the fact that I had already fallen head over heel in love
with her sweet, patient face. That night was a difficult one... I got about two hours of sleep as I tossed and turned, trying to convince myself that she might have been assigned by accident and knowing I would be heartbroken if she wasn't mine. I have never spent a more restless night in my life!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Of
course, you already know that the news turned out to be good, or I
wouldn't be writing this post! She was indeed mine... after my last
child, Gifty, had been assigned back in March, someone simply forgot
to remove my name from the waiting list. And of course, they were
overjoyed when I <i>begged</i>
(yes, I was desperate at this point lol!) to keep her!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So,
I have my long-awaited child in Ghana... who has had only one sponsor
for her entire time in the program and has <i><b>never</b></i><b>
</b>received a letter or
gift. That has already changed, of course!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So
without further ado, please meet Jessica, who sometimes goes by the
nickname "Sister" at home. I have all of her photos since
she was registered in the program.... isn't she precious? </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Welcome
home Jessica! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2v9quNIdSd1KUZma_SCPPK2Ze8Xvh0nS9-w3xws1FDWl7lfF9_4T3wQrsfrWfnWa7yna8UOwjhq5MkRIwqL-GBdRhsMJRyoSO9GRwy_tgUqZabqGzbg6E5JpwrjV4cmvw_2Kjfgd62k/s1600/pizap.com14992910950101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1023" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2v9quNIdSd1KUZma_SCPPK2Ze8Xvh0nS9-w3xws1FDWl7lfF9_4T3wQrsfrWfnWa7yna8UOwjhq5MkRIwqL-GBdRhsMJRyoSO9GRwy_tgUqZabqGzbg6E5JpwrjV4cmvw_2Kjfgd62k/s400/pizap.com14992910950101.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-385447828754254822017-07-16T19:36:00.001-02:302017-07-16T19:36:57.387-02:30Passing The Torch<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Those
of you who have followed my sponsorship journey for a while, know
that I place a big emphasis on discipleship. I long for my children
to grow into men and women of God, and who become adults with a
passion for learning and a passion for helping others. I love sending
letters with a moral or lesson that they can apply in their everyday
lives.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6k4B6sP84on4na8TyucyamGpwyhp6R7CiG3CE4k9UHO8u1HMOpPB8HcY10tmMHtfRLc66cGGmNseZBbr2bPuRbMtABUMlkROoPdL9ZPeBxGiefjB0ZdSdNsaaEhz2MXE8N3m4LwLTS7M/s1600/pizap.com14941970706761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1023" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6k4B6sP84on4na8TyucyamGpwyhp6R7CiG3CE4k9UHO8u1HMOpPB8HcY10tmMHtfRLc66cGGmNseZBbr2bPuRbMtABUMlkROoPdL9ZPeBxGiefjB0ZdSdNsaaEhz2MXE8N3m4LwLTS7M/s320/pizap.com14941970706761.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">With
this in mind, I recently sent a letter to all of my children, telling
them the famous "Starfish Story" and including the graphic above. If you are not familiar with this story, you can easily do a
web search for it! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Along
with the Starfish Story, I included this paragraph:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">"</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
lesson behind this story is that every person has been gifted with
the ability to make a difference in the world. Maybe your gift is
telling others about Jesus. Maybe your gift is teaching and mentoring
children. Maybe your gift is caring for the sick, or praying for
others, or encouraging leaders (pastors, teachers, and others) or
maybe your gift is making friends with people who have no friends at
all. No matter what your gift is, I hope you know that no one is too
small to make a big change in the world! </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
love you and I am so proud of you! God has big plans for your life!"</span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Of
course, as many sponsors do, we tend to wonder if our children are
grasping the lessons we try to teach; if we are making an impact at
all.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
yesterday, I received this letter from my young man Papi, in
Indonesia.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
sponsored Papi when he was 19... he is now 22 and preparing to
graduate, if indeed he hasn't already. I am expecting to see him
disappear off my account any day now, which is why I was so thrilled
to receive a new letter from him! Papi was my first child to ask if
he could call me sister, and we share a love of sunsets, the ocean,
long walks on the beach, and the Newsboys. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qQL-zXxxYk2CWhEusG1J1vnl18mdJAdB2tU6N4Qd0AHaePdcl17wTCTr7sHgXKqNzRCsttgE8Qj7Z-MxqeqBptd6N_Hu6IlpoKmQpRTonVC38QUNoxPclaO6BVS8hJHeZ2MbKRy7TQ8/s1600/Jefereson_March2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qQL-zXxxYk2CWhEusG1J1vnl18mdJAdB2tU6N4Qd0AHaePdcl17wTCTr7sHgXKqNzRCsttgE8Qj7Z-MxqeqBptd6N_Hu6IlpoKmQpRTonVC38QUNoxPclaO6BVS8hJHeZ2MbKRy7TQ8/s400/Jefereson_March2017.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
am always excited to hear from my Papi... but </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>this
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">letter,
brought me to tears. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dear
Hannah,</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Shalom.
I am thankful for writing my sister again. I am blessed with your
letter told me about the starfish. I see starfish here often. What
you told me made me realize that God has a great plan for me through
what He gives to me to make a big change in this world. I find out
now that I am precious. I want you to know that what He gives to me
is being a teacher. I want to be a teacher, not only to teach
knowledge, but also to build a character building of my students, to
make them to be a leader who fear of God. May God be with you and
bless you my sister. Love, Papi. </span></span></span></i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Floored.
Speechless.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">If
you have ever wondered if our letters make a difference, if we are
really changing our children's lives... this. This is it. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
cried when I read his letter... because I felt that in someway, I had
passed the torch. My greatest desire is to see my sponsored children,
grown up and making an impact in other children's lives. And now, I
am seeing that come to pass, right before my eyes. And by the way,
Papi is an above-average university student who is just completing
his courses in Civil Engineering... I would not be surprised at all
to see him become a professor some day. And I could not be more proud
of this wonderful young man, and amazed at the fact that God has
allowed me to influence his life in some small way through
sponsorship. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This
is what makes the sacrifice ALL worth it!</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-17181371808079303592017-06-13T23:26:00.000-02:302017-08-07T15:12:46.171-02:30A Plethora of Letters<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There's
a quote that my Dad sometimes uses when things are gearing up or
getting interesting. He says, "Hang on to your ears!" </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">That's
about how I feel right now... after receiving nine (yes, you read
that right, NINE) letters from my Compassion kiddos recently! After a
system-wide glitch that caused letters to be "stuck" for
several months, the floodgates have finally opened and the letters
are <i>pouring </i>through! So be prepared for a long post... because
there's been a LOT of happiness arriving in my mailbox! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I'm
actually going to divide this post into two parts because it would be
too long to read in one sitting!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Let's
get right to it shall we?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">First
up were two letters from Papi, my oldest boy in Indonesia who will be
graduating this month! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vk4x2BiCi0O5XApLNqozU0N4tTcsuI3_pI8Zb0nJh0Dx0an0rfiwPOOdok-ivab0rZU8e0rdNIfKoHkKPjQuyfbQAxDGmRMXrTxyFVETZ0ig4pZ9Ljrml1zakOcCG8xOWlcYAfT_UWE/s1600/pizap.com14974049166611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="577" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vk4x2BiCi0O5XApLNqozU0N4tTcsuI3_pI8Zb0nJh0Dx0an0rfiwPOOdok-ivab0rZU8e0rdNIfKoHkKPjQuyfbQAxDGmRMXrTxyFVETZ0ig4pZ9Ljrml1zakOcCG8xOWlcYAfT_UWE/s320/pizap.com14974049166611.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
also got a photo update of Papi... isn't he looking happy and
handsome?! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A
while ago, Papi had written that people were staying away from one of
the beaches in his area because a crocodile had been cut loose in the
area. I questioned him on this further, asking whether crocodiles
were common in his area and were people afraid of them? His reply is,
"<i>There are many crocodiles here. Actually the crocodiles in
our place are not disturbing, but since they are disturbed by people
they turn fierce.</i>" Papi also said that he got the picture of
the Cardinal I sent him and "<i>it is very beautiful. Yes, God's
creation is very beautiful.</i>" He then told me that the
weather is "<i>in transition here now. Sometimes it rains and
some other times it is dry and hot." </i>He also said, "<i>I
really hope we can meet one day.</i>" Me too Papi, me too!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In
his second letter, Papi talks more about his family and said he
enjoyed reading the letter I sent about my uncle who plays the
saxophone. He says, "<i>I know saxophone but I don't know how to
play it.</i>" He then lists his uncle, aunt, and cousin who live
in the area and how much he enjoys seeing them. He says that he most
likes spending time with the children of his cousin because "<i>they
are active and smart, they are also dancing hip-hop, and I am very
glad when they call me Uncle J </i>(First letter of his real name) <i>I
feel as I am adult." </i>(This made me chuckle for some reason,
especially the part about hip-hop and feeling like an adult when he
is called uncle.)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBamGoZmcY7MJ0uN1lU61HVMtBVo-0-exwDFkOzdiZdio451Qh_dAA2b98lBr9YZiHTpPRPufQRrsWd5gKkP3ApU3ovkzvnzkzIH3uhzPEUIsGOLkLnp9qew99e16iYQS2vwDJkF3KME/s1600/RW3630272-Portrait-200w.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBamGoZmcY7MJ0uN1lU61HVMtBVo-0-exwDFkOzdiZdio451Qh_dAA2b98lBr9YZiHTpPRPufQRrsWd5gKkP3ApU3ovkzvnzkzIH3uhzPEUIsGOLkLnp9qew99e16iYQS2vwDJkF3KME/s1600/RW3630272-Portrait-200w.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Next
up are Ada's letters! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
love this girl so much.... she always squeezes as many words as
possible into the writing space, and these letters were no exception!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In
her first letter, she greets me in the name of Jesus and says she is
doing well with her family. She says she has completed her Primary
education and advanced to Senior 1! She also asked for prayers that
she pass with good grades when she reaches Senior 2. Then she says,
"<i>I thank you so much for the letter you wrote to me, telling
me about your news with your parents."</i> She also says that
she is praying for God to continue protecting me in the name of Jesus
Christ.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In
Ada's second letter, she asks how we are doing and says, "<i>In
the last semester I got good marks, 61%. I keep on praying for good
marks. Please keep me in your prayers to improve on my marks." </i>
(This girl is taking her education seriously!) She also adds, "<i>I
thank you so much for the letter you wrote me with all the beautiful
touching words. I also thank you for the decorations you sent me.
</i>(Stickers, coloring pages, etc.) <i>I had a wonderful Christmas
and my family was all well."</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkZdQe1-ucLEGhyphenhyphenA94Vj0O_aVRHgtvzOaockVPTKgzioMj-Z4wuGbXa6Tc-LztnGbPeWzAVhBx8JIpeYGWzXjO84VMQVuKxb2r6CKu6AvKbXb7wfNJ4GgvXLdLE55gbQ4yPtXkMns_94/s1600/pizap.com14974051565601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="577" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkZdQe1-ucLEGhyphenhyphenA94Vj0O_aVRHgtvzOaockVPTKgzioMj-Z4wuGbXa6Tc-LztnGbPeWzAVhBx8JIpeYGWzXjO84VMQVuKxb2r6CKu6AvKbXb7wfNJ4GgvXLdLE55gbQ4yPtXkMns_94/s320/pizap.com14974051565601.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Moving
on to Isimbi's letters! I am so grateful that Isimbi is sounding a
little more "chatty" in her letters... I've been a bit
concerned for her for a while now!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In
Isimbi's first letter, she tells me that she is on her school
holidays and is helping around the house by sweeping and fetching
water. She also says that they are in the rainy season in Rwanda, and
"<i>we are preparing for commemoration period for our fellows
who died in genocide 1994." </i>(All of my Rwandan children take
part in this commemoration and I'm so glad they do!) Isimbi also says
that she is doing well in school and adds, "<i>We are preparing
for the Easter. I wish you a happy Easter. I love you so much."
</i>She then says, "<i>I thank you for the letter you sent to
me, it pleased me very much. I loved the calendar you sent me." </i></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In
her second letter, Isimbi shared that her school break went well and
she has started her second term in school. She then says, "<i>It
is rainy here in Rwanda, it is so cold, how is weather over there?"
</i>She also adds, "<i>I know you pray for me. I always pray for
you to be protected by God with your whole family." </i>She
closes her letter by saying, "<i>I thank you for the letter you
sent to me, thank you for the toys you sent to me, I was happy for
it, it is really good, thank you." </i></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
am so glad that all the letters I have sent for the past six months
have gotten to my kids safely, and it feels like a rainshower after a
drought to finally hear from my beloved kiddos again!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Have
you heard from your kids lately?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-51230477382788440432017-04-24T23:36:00.002-02:302017-04-24T23:39:25.113-02:30Holding On To Hope<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Sometimes
it's so much easier to struggle in silence. Sometimes it's so much
easier to paste on a smile when people ask how you've been, </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>where</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
you've been, and find a quick and </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">cliché</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
answer. I'm a private person anyways.... I don't like talking about
myself. Years of hurt have taught me that most people don't </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>really
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">care
how you are... they just want to satisfy their own sense of
curiosity. So when I hurt, I do it alone. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But
I will say, this past year has been wonderful... and at times very,
very difficult. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This
blog is called The Path of the Carpenter for a reason... I started it
to chronicle my journey as I follow the Carpenter of Nazareth, the
man named Jesus the Christ. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But
when self-proclaimed followers of the Carpenter leave you without a
support system, without an identity, without a word in your defense,
with your foundation crumbling... sometimes things start to look a
lot different, and you begin to wonder if anything you ever believed
was true.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">When
your head and heart go to war with each other, you start to feel like
you're slowly going insane... like you are two separate people trying
to co-exist in the same body. Your head believes in the
Truth-That-Is, but your heart wants to run... as far and as fast as
you can. Numb the pain. Scream for help silently. Rage at the world
in anger, behind the smile on your face. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
have come as close to losing my faith as I ever have.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I'm
being honest with you. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Not
because I ever stopped believing in the Truth, but because I was
driven from the place where I first learned that Truth. I've somehow
made more enemies than I have friends, because I learned another
"truth"... that Money, and Power, and Pride, are the gods
of this world and some people will sacrifice anything for their
gods... even their fellow believers. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Many
times I feel like I've been flayed alive and laid on the altar. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
sometimes I've wondered what, exactly, I've been trying to hold on
to.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
in the darkness, 8 little lights shining from the other side of the
world, reminding me that I'm holding on to Hope.</span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTQ77d8dbkmZcsvvLxSXpzWFjv_3nNBmCq9lM3i8FQtRF0TYw0FzmKg2CVDdASlg76Ke3aoKNDooLAZTsDWmb51ImhtMi78vi1_XqJ-j5-6DpPF3EM37SjUMR5qYb8HHrbJlw609uoRY/s1600/pizap.com14930843686861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTQ77d8dbkmZcsvvLxSXpzWFjv_3nNBmCq9lM3i8FQtRF0TYw0FzmKg2CVDdASlg76Ke3aoKNDooLAZTsDWmb51ImhtMi78vi1_XqJ-j5-6DpPF3EM37SjUMR5qYb8HHrbJlw609uoRY/s640/pizap.com14930843686861.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uwimana Hannah Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">It's
my daughter Isimbi reminding me that Jesus knows my name.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It's
my brother Mbula asking me to pray for him to keep believing.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It's
my daughter Ada telling me that my letters give her hope for a better
a life.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It's
my sister Shakira telling me that she loves me for ever and ever.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nFE_RLsDmae1flTwg2ka6ftTfiAxF3L8LmINfC8oURuHjJb7xz1tQGOp-f6-99geUWbSL60Jbzfzg4GyVMLaDhNgi5jJ_8AZThdXd5MTYKtyuBbELKT2xxDdl0T1XPCehgqzZCvWTNQ/s1600/kidpics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nFE_RLsDmae1flTwg2ka6ftTfiAxF3L8LmINfC8oURuHjJb7xz1tQGOp-f6-99geUWbSL60Jbzfzg4GyVMLaDhNgi5jJ_8AZThdXd5MTYKtyuBbELKT2xxDdl0T1XPCehgqzZCvWTNQ/s400/kidpics.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Somewhere
in the world, there is Love. There is Peace. And there is Hope. For
my kids in poverty, yes... but if only they could know, that the
little physical provision I am able to give them, is nothing compared
to the spiritual strength they give me. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Maybe
you have a hard time imagining my kids, especially my tiny munchkin
Miriam, </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>forcing
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">anyone
to do anything, but yes... my kids have </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>forced
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">me
to hold on to my faith. They have </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>forced
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">me
to refuse to give up. They have </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>forced
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">me
to see that there is still good in this world. And they have </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>forced
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">me
to remain in contact with Hope Himself.... the Carpenter. Because of
them, I have a reason to never give up. Because of them, I pray, and
read, and study, even when I don't want to. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Because
of my kids, I'm still holding on to Hope... and </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>I
don't plan on letting go.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e8qDOGLCSFo" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<br />Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-20629991829264503072017-03-22T22:26:00.000-02:302017-03-22T22:26:07.014-02:30A Gift From God<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Some
days are hard. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
know we all struggle, but sometimes I feel like I struggle more than
most. Sometimes there is just so much bad that it's hard to see the
good. I'll admit it's been hard for me to see the bright side
lately... car troubles that I can't afford to fix, stress, anxiety,
anger from being constantly stressed and anxious, negativity from
everyone around me, some health problems, and just general constant
worry about how I'm going to make it through and keep my head above
water. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
day before yesterday was like that. The official "First Day of
Spring" arrived with 15 centimeters of snow and an ice storm to
beat the band. I got stuck just trying to get home from work. My car
isn't the most reliable to begin with, and armed with only
"baloney-skins", which is what we call worn-out tires in
Newfoundland, I floundered at the bottom of a hill. Trucks, jeeps,
vans, and even little sports cars zoomed past me while I slipped and
skidded, backed up, gunned her forward, slithered and slid, backed
up, pressed on the gas and slid further backwards... the slushy
ground was full of skid marks from trying to avoid the ditch. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Kind
of like my life at this point.... sitting on black ice while the rest
of the world is driving with studded tires. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">To
make a long story short, a generous stranger in a pickup stopped and
offered to tow me up the hill... with a good set of chains and
another gentleman lending salt, he deposited me at my front door in
no time. But needless to say, I was worn out. Sick of winter, sick of
fighting, sick of pretty much everything.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
practically crawled into my bedroom, too tired to even attempt to
make dinner. I idly logged into my Compassion account, mainly to
check and see if I had received any letters from my kids. But I
stopped abruptly when I saw a little face that hadn't been there
before.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvR5OT0vQRUHD7nLUm28M0J27Eo_oGhmIGKz3ikNGVVozwaELyhFP40cGgWSIf7nCuJKaBTDQ9fm1CEzsOz4skEg6NEaIh7mPl1UDSFzmSODmwfa_ibA1H-hTqpyqTnZXrXpFHwcuHvg/s1600/pizap.com14902287943381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvR5OT0vQRUHD7nLUm28M0J27Eo_oGhmIGKz3ikNGVVozwaELyhFP40cGgWSIf7nCuJKaBTDQ9fm1CEzsOz4skEg6NEaIh7mPl1UDSFzmSODmwfa_ibA1H-hTqpyqTnZXrXpFHwcuHvg/s640/pizap.com14902287943381.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
then I saw her name... and I burst into tears.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Gifty.
</span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">My
own precious little Ugandan princess... my little angel sent as a
sign of His grace. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">My
Perfect Gift from God. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">She
is six years old and lives in Northern Uganda... a place filled with
hardships and suffering, with war and turmoil and terror and disease
and poverty. And somehow, in a place where children are often thrown
away, the Grace of God was enough to let a Ugandan mother name her
child Gifty. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
somehow, God saw fit to "gift" this little warrior to me,
on the very day that I so needed a Gift of mercy. God in His
lovingkindness never fails.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Welcome
to the family Gifty... I love you so much already!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
in closing, I quote these lyrics by John Schlitt:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">"It's
a blessing every day I get to see her face;</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
could never ever ask for more than this,</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">She
is such a gift.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Lord,
thank you for the Gift." </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-15821187528447065362017-03-10T22:15:00.000-03:302017-03-10T22:15:30.801-03:30God Always Knows: Welcome Elijah!<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Have
you ever had a God-moment so big that you just had to stop and step
back and try to take it in? One that filled you with awe, and maybe
brought tears to your eyes? One that made you laugh and cry a little
at the same time?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
had a moment like that recently.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But
let me start at the beginning.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">If
you've read this blog for any length of time, you will know that I
sponsor a truly wonderful young man named Mbula in Kenya. You may
also know that he will be graduating from Compassion's program very
soon; this month, in fact. He has received his Kenya Certificate of
Secondary Education (the equivalent to our High School diploma) and
is beginning his studies in Computer Technology. To say I am proud of
him would be a massive understatement! </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So
as Mbula is preparing to graduate, and as I am preparing my heart and
mind for the fact that I will be "losing" him very shortly,
I have also been praying about expanding my family again. I knew a
long time ago that I wanted another correspondence child from Kenya,
since my experience with Mbula and with my little girl Miriam has
been exceptional! So I recently requested that my name be added to
Compassion's waitlist for a child from Kenya to write to. Any age,
either gender... I just wanted a child from Kenya.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But
with that being done, I began to question my own decision. Wouldn't
it be better, I thought, to request a correspondence child from a
country I have never sponsored in before? And perhaps... perhaps, I
thought, I could instead sponsor another young man from Kenya, in
Mbula's honor. Seventeen would be a good age... Mbula was eighteen
when I began corresponding with him, and twenty when I took over his
sponsorship. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
went back and forth on it for a while and finally decided to leave
the request as it was. If I got assigned an "itty-bitty",
or an older girl (both of which would have been more than fine in my
books!) then I would think about sponsoring another young man. Maybe
from the Maasai tribe... I've always had a deep interest in their
culture. I even saw a seventeen-year-old young Maasai man on the
website that tugged my heartstrings... but he was sponsored the next
day. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
that was when God decided to step in. I opened my Compassion account
one evening to check for new letters... and saw a new face instead.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKIeH_pkTXTWmQYGIVkTFzMqJE7r3XBE1rPf2N05A0LN68oaLViUVs55Fsc3Q97zbFZb0a0vwSEpvgbknfg2PeetuL3ha9PZoUA9NJU0B50brVRlsj_Il7YWkNLSOq_vcrkBiMW6FTy0/s1600/Elijah+age+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKIeH_pkTXTWmQYGIVkTFzMqJE7r3XBE1rPf2N05A0LN68oaLViUVs55Fsc3Q97zbFZb0a0vwSEpvgbknfg2PeetuL3ha9PZoUA9NJU0B50brVRlsj_Il7YWkNLSOq_vcrkBiMW6FTy0/s400/Elijah+age+17.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A
young man.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Age
seventeen.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Maasai.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Tell
me God doesn't have a sense of humor.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
here's the kicker... his name is Elijah. A name that when I was a
little girl, I wanted to name my future son.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">God
ALWAYS knows!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
of course, the addition of Elijah brings my family up to the perfect
number of 7. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Welcome
sweet Elijah... my miracle son! </span></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8LWhyXy2wRiLWJBY7jpXBvd64f0jtYGiz9satPBl7V5dQbakyqo4XmkyhPs86B1Pd-7vzwzT97CcB2ViOKNDjgYojLNHWwSxg3i9qkoamoONF6HynleDZof8nr7bIkuy-VQG8eEsn5I/s1600/pizap.com14891965188161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8LWhyXy2wRiLWJBY7jpXBvd64f0jtYGiz9satPBl7V5dQbakyqo4XmkyhPs86B1Pd-7vzwzT97CcB2ViOKNDjgYojLNHWwSxg3i9qkoamoONF6HynleDZof8nr7bIkuy-VQG8eEsn5I/s400/pizap.com14891965188161.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elijah's previous Compassion photos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-7831936542510260652017-02-21T15:04:00.000-03:302017-02-21T15:04:37.586-03:30Why Compassion?<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">If
you've been following this blog for any amount of time, you will know
my passion for helping children in poverty. Although I have donated
to and worked with several other organizations in the past, there is
one ministry that I have chosen to become closely affiliated with.
And that ministry is <a href="https://www.compassion.com/" target="_blank">Compassion International</a>. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I've
often been asked the question, "Why?" Why Compassion when
there are literally hundreds of other sponsorship organizations out
there? And why do you choose to sponsor?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Today
I want to answer some of those questions. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDXRpc0nXhrFZAeeEaewTuZ-ZFce_oOYiUdTUxBhXSsQI6-H5OMFOeMA_Dr7XYkq__XMZ3MDSEpXdFbLnhyphenhypheniA2joaiyaxFgDeME3VnMqLJPCV9K8E2oDGFYw7CNNcA7xf_fszNgotYNU/s1600/program-cdsp-boy-studying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDXRpc0nXhrFZAeeEaewTuZ-ZFce_oOYiUdTUxBhXSsQI6-H5OMFOeMA_Dr7XYkq__XMZ3MDSEpXdFbLnhyphenhypheniA2joaiyaxFgDeME3VnMqLJPCV9K8E2oDGFYw7CNNcA7xf_fszNgotYNU/s400/program-cdsp-boy-studying.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from Compassion International Media Gallery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><b>INTEGRITY
FIRST</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I've
always been a firm believer in the adage ,"Investigate before
you invest." If I'm donating to any charity or organization, I
want to know exactly where my money is going and how it's being used.
I've heard too many stories of scams that used photos of abandoned,
ragged children to garner sympathy (and subsequently, donor dollars).
When I first started looking into Compassion, I was pleased to find
that they have consistently gotten very high ratings by Better
Business Bureau, Charity Navigator, and other third-party reviewers. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In
the spirit of integrity, I love Compassion's decision to refrain from
using photos of starving, skeletal children to raise funds. Although
the poverty is quite obviously present in photos, it's not the main
focus. The main focus is to portray all recipients, both children and
adults, with dignity and respect. Compassion will even provide
children with an outfit to wear on photo day if the families have
nothing for the child to wear. These photos can then be treasured by
the family and are not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLZqUyML0A1Pz4FZV-dwtcIhb6sW3-J7rDagHkAldGcNsXvFBYVwJnVWTE9-AXKJ-tNI6e5TUDDu8Eqowylrwq4EGXk_eMaSDzFMynPnnRMrSTI0p3muT42rHNpgO2-Eow0O9FMc0hZk/s1600/fund-malaria-children-with-nets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLZqUyML0A1Pz4FZV-dwtcIhb6sW3-J7rDagHkAldGcNsXvFBYVwJnVWTE9-AXKJ-tNI6e5TUDDu8Eqowylrwq4EGXk_eMaSDzFMynPnnRMrSTI0p3muT42rHNpgO2-Eow0O9FMc0hZk/s400/fund-malaria-children-with-nets.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children stand in the doorway of their house with life-saving malaria nets from Compassion.<br />Photo taken from Compassion International Media Gallery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">But
there's more than just financial integrity, although of course that
remains important as well. A program can be financially stable and
still not have results. As they say, "The proof is in the
pudding" as I have witnessed over and over again. This isn't
about hungry children showing up for a feeding program. This is about
children's lives being completely transformed from a spiritual,
social, physical, and economic standpoint, helping them to become
healthy, well-rounded adults capable of making a difference in their
countries and communities.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
want to share with you this short video that touched my heart deeply.
I can't help but tear up whenever I watch it, because it's so close
to my heart. It's only about 8 minutes long and tells the story of
Jimmy Wambua, who went from being an abandoned child on the street,
to having his life changed through Compassion. You will witness
Jimmy's first meeting with his sponsor, and finally, meet Jimmy's
new sponsored child in Haiti. This video is for me, proof that
Compassion really does work!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P1yRqwnPwSA" width="560"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>SEEING
THE DIFFERENCE</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For
me, of course, the evidence that Compassion works is in my hands
every day through my children's letters. I have one child in
university, studying to become a civil engineer. I have another who
just graduated high school and is hoping for college. I have three
who want to become doctors, and one who wishes to become a teacher.
These children would not even be in school if it wasn't for
Compassion.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIXvf05v2Uoipz4O_7QuqUhm8abWOspObAxeWVHPvofTRRlAHD0vezkPiWfjOt5_XtCD5DCmfSKYFzZVo24j-KPHDSTEAp2G9zSHvODyHKQ2G6h4oVeNv60-ypnhyGQa1m-Au0kEI8sk/s1600/pizap.com14857381508151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIXvf05v2Uoipz4O_7QuqUhm8abWOspObAxeWVHPvofTRRlAHD0vezkPiWfjOt5_XtCD5DCmfSKYFzZVo24j-KPHDSTEAp2G9zSHvODyHKQ2G6h4oVeNv60-ypnhyGQa1m-Au0kEI8sk/s400/pizap.com14857381508151.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mbula age 5 and now at age 21</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">In
the above photo, you can see the difference that the years in
Compassion's program have made to my "little brother"
Mbula. He will be graduating Compassion's program next month at the
age of 22. I have only to look at my children's photos and see the
difference in their attitudes; chins held up, shoulders squared,
smiles breaking through... to know that Compassion works.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTrStMbTMC4R9MIuAV7rTHdZi3dZKjKBVyROzIBDXRF5NnJDGXwIzJZ0dCtRTAQ0gj8MNXkDKH7rtSAbibUq4FHYuDAesfKTnC_CGXAGQ8QnTM7QwAl0PSW0Ld6d6AnAVUEpTdJklSNM/s1600/pizap.com14668790811221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTrStMbTMC4R9MIuAV7rTHdZi3dZKjKBVyROzIBDXRF5NnJDGXwIzJZ0dCtRTAQ0gj8MNXkDKH7rtSAbibUq4FHYuDAesfKTnC_CGXAGQ8QnTM7QwAl0PSW0Ld6d6AnAVUEpTdJklSNM/s400/pizap.com14668790811221.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basomingera age 6 and age 12</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">If
you would like to make a difference in a child's life, and release
them from poverty in Jesus' Name, will you consider sponsoring today?
You can contact me with any questions you have about sponsoring, or
you can go directly to <a href="https://www.compassion.com/" target="_blank">Compassion International</a> or <a href="https://www.compassion.ca/" target="_blank">Compassion Canada</a> to learn more!</span></div>
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Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-21998685992065130572017-02-14T09:03:00.000-03:302017-02-14T09:03:21.506-03:30Waiting Children: The Valentine Edition!Since today is a very special day, a day of showing our love in action, I want to give you all an opportunity to show the Love of Jesus to some very precious children! Click on each child's link if you want to learn more about them, their families, their community, and how you can help!<br />
<br />
So what day is it anyways? Valentine's day of course!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAoHUSh7tUbMBqiFoHS3ji2Lo2ikBNtMCTW7xapoF70S1Kzheq204BO2t6Sc-Yjdk6ECbMRoHLEUT0WZnmlKnXFHEVbBcNXFP4O05veS93cFbcslKS56yO0Zs9aums-mYrLwjXEeGXRE/s1600/Valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAoHUSh7tUbMBqiFoHS3ji2Lo2ikBNtMCTW7xapoF70S1Kzheq204BO2t6Sc-Yjdk6ECbMRoHLEUT0WZnmlKnXFHEVbBcNXFP4O05veS93cFbcslKS56yO0Zs9aums-mYrLwjXEeGXRE/s640/Valentine.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/child-biography.htm?gid=06686145&source=" target="_blank">Sponsor 4-year-old VALENTINE from Burkina Faso</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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And what is Valentine's Day? A day that's all about love!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBbTB4_9Ym1EjAx8-bmXf61jOnY7Z9sfNMrCLxaVTSwfpKwWsQBl-O9aQImi-4-RiNvRAEFoiUD_CFpYydgrbfPiz1eUGGbIWGz6ClCcZZI8N4Tp-R1ucMO31NPdhJ0ZumWYbtxADFIU/s1600/Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBbTB4_9Ym1EjAx8-bmXf61jOnY7Z9sfNMrCLxaVTSwfpKwWsQBl-O9aQImi-4-RiNvRAEFoiUD_CFpYydgrbfPiz1eUGGbIWGz6ClCcZZI8N4Tp-R1ucMO31NPdhJ0ZumWYbtxADFIU/s640/Love.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/child-biography.htm?gid=07388395&source=" target="_blank">Sponsor 7-year-old LOVE from Haiti</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Valentine's Day is all about finding your special Prince...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvHohBcIf9ii4YatXhhLmH5PNMv3VYq5RPtB9hvlbwuYRrtf_SkoeLGKIOSk81CmdTKxRmBk78COl_5oe69RMAdaeJccWgplhqRnpJ818oIYzPFdzwpKH8XdG-JpFxaSoXDjs2HTHi3M/s1600/Prince.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvHohBcIf9ii4YatXhhLmH5PNMv3VYq5RPtB9hvlbwuYRrtf_SkoeLGKIOSk81CmdTKxRmBk78COl_5oe69RMAdaeJccWgplhqRnpJ818oIYzPFdzwpKH8XdG-JpFxaSoXDjs2HTHi3M/s640/Prince.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/child-biography.htm?gid=05257763&source=" target="_blank">Sponsor 7-year-old PRINCE from Ghana</a></span></div>
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...or your special Princess! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oM7nQG0qJii_LbGrer3eN5rVzUNrpbf9A_CjoRfhVqcecmJqETdtYUqAjoLCbLjUXcE4nXtl4oMRLuqkkvM_1PgQRzn4fcLiisYNzKJzoM9g7i45EiOe7yCDzC-cl4pbWfHmsdWffqk/s1600/Princess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oM7nQG0qJii_LbGrer3eN5rVzUNrpbf9A_CjoRfhVqcecmJqETdtYUqAjoLCbLjUXcE4nXtl4oMRLuqkkvM_1PgQRzn4fcLiisYNzKJzoM9g7i45EiOe7yCDzC-cl4pbWfHmsdWffqk/s640/Princess.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/child-biography.htm?gid=07386502&source=" target="_blank">Sponsor 5-year-old PRINCESS from the Philippines</a></span></div>
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Valentine's Day is about giving your heart to someone special...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOnxMOUhNVP5q9RSzYyZsZ1W-PfBieWLt0ugeSa4hIxcnBeFdC6mgw5hTqYHfNvfJdU12-ktFra5qjCU9ohtTNCGOELJQ8KZjjDm7m-WvCSNHP309nlqwXuryPECM98LJKnUblTUTfEQ/s1600/Heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOnxMOUhNVP5q9RSzYyZsZ1W-PfBieWLt0ugeSa4hIxcnBeFdC6mgw5hTqYHfNvfJdU12-ktFra5qjCU9ohtTNCGOELJQ8KZjjDm7m-WvCSNHP309nlqwXuryPECM98LJKnUblTUTfEQ/s640/Heart.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/child-biography.htm?gid=06635579&source=" target="_blank">Sponsor 4-year-old HEART from the Philippines</a></span></div>
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...and telling them how precious they are...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/child-biography.htm?gid=07330510&source=" target="_blank">Sponsor 6-year-old PRECIOUS from Ghana</a></span></div>
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...and how dear they are to you...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgDrH1zLP6A-07VirV3zQHz9r3FoVSYfKD2Eo2Rp1nIhqfwxTQe28cGe0_UaTL7lS6xHLKuHnmKWxUXVWNAIw-hMzKPLJUg77c_6hCH-Se4A0CxRaYfE3L_RfjUIedzZgTn56lNypVLs/s1600/Dear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgDrH1zLP6A-07VirV3zQHz9r3FoVSYfKD2Eo2Rp1nIhqfwxTQe28cGe0_UaTL7lS6xHLKuHnmKWxUXVWNAIw-hMzKPLJUg77c_6hCH-Se4A0CxRaYfE3L_RfjUIedzZgTn56lNypVLs/s640/Dear.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/child-biography.htm?gid=07329509&source=" target="_blank">Sponsor 5-year-old DEAR from Indonesia</a></span></div>
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...and of course, asking them, "Will You Be Mine?"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGq9AKxea4yPgqVacbSZQAQq5kljW6NTDfykUTtN2azqgBEVjkA7wkmiKA_2LVHevIgayeR6_9ZA3Qi4BXcAStUTX4clJxZbfNced1sgVwvi3SOB1bfOuKXqBoaRVv0HWp4RXQuRuK_w/s1600/Mine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGq9AKxea4yPgqVacbSZQAQq5kljW6NTDfykUTtN2azqgBEVjkA7wkmiKA_2LVHevIgayeR6_9ZA3Qi4BXcAStUTX4clJxZbfNced1sgVwvi3SOB1bfOuKXqBoaRVv0HWp4RXQuRuK_w/s640/Mine.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/child-biography.htm?gid=05566065&source=" target="_blank">Sponsor 7-year-old MINE from the Philippines</a></span></div>
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How do you celebrate? Do you give the traditional roses...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KiudIkSBtRPlAPfsS6z85DvOz6P4W4jQuWZWLCAxpceGkXyM6dHyE-FI-5vSGkmCxVOyR097OujwhBoMplV3kVhbucM5_ccmokvvTPT3SWXQDsOkH74Y-tDHIYc1vvjRDAJVyAoCwgo/s1600/Rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KiudIkSBtRPlAPfsS6z85DvOz6P4W4jQuWZWLCAxpceGkXyM6dHyE-FI-5vSGkmCxVOyR097OujwhBoMplV3kVhbucM5_ccmokvvTPT3SWXQDsOkH74Y-tDHIYc1vvjRDAJVyAoCwgo/s640/Rose.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/child-biography.htm?gid=05441109&source=" target="_blank">Sponsor 6-year-old ROSE from Uganda</a></span></div>
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...or perhaps another special gift?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWC8KoEQ_lvYRFTIZfmMo7tZm13EiceGBhPJrP0_PtGh91_IrhZtvY2CopAe5NaenRbE02Mcl45zxRDv6E7XWHk1-1f4bYA86Ew1LD-9_mFOfI7exspaniHrc1pl2VhYc1mH7RfAjctv4/s1600/Gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWC8KoEQ_lvYRFTIZfmMo7tZm13EiceGBhPJrP0_PtGh91_IrhZtvY2CopAe5NaenRbE02Mcl45zxRDv6E7XWHk1-1f4bYA86Ew1LD-9_mFOfI7exspaniHrc1pl2VhYc1mH7RfAjctv4/s640/Gift.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/child-biography.htm?gid=07138959&source=" target="_blank">Sponsor 3-year-old GIFT from Kenya</a></span></div>
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However you choose to celebrate Valentine's Day, ask Jesus to make you a blessing to someone today!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJzjyVcTr99YNa8mFZLHvq90IB0_attDSJUMrU52mB8-OBhr6mtXFJs-BwwUxb7t-c6zzupmmzDh-Y457BcyvT598Rm11O_xyvM7LIL53GeCIiRz8a_ow8QYAFPSCLrneaoj2hXQJJYw/s1600/Blessing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJzjyVcTr99YNa8mFZLHvq90IB0_attDSJUMrU52mB8-OBhr6mtXFJs-BwwUxb7t-c6zzupmmzDh-Y457BcyvT598Rm11O_xyvM7LIL53GeCIiRz8a_ow8QYAFPSCLrneaoj2hXQJJYw/s640/Blessing.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/child-biography.htm?gid=07367338&source=" target="_blank">Sponsor 3-year-old BLESSING from Togo</a></span></div>
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And I'm sure that you will have a very Happy Valentine's Day!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRY6XqDVb2DmTi_LcxWRUUgzUvR7xBQpsBSkvAfP7xWQz_MfaJyW5X-TlWP1xAUb5aDrer9EqPmpbLUa5y7isZz3jLWWuS74-X6kCg0aOhhIikh09YW_7EXRiNyDHdWgAieXkgD98Emc/s1600/Happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRY6XqDVb2DmTi_LcxWRUUgzUvR7xBQpsBSkvAfP7xWQz_MfaJyW5X-TlWP1xAUb5aDrer9EqPmpbLUa5y7isZz3jLWWuS74-X6kCg0aOhhIikh09YW_7EXRiNyDHdWgAieXkgD98Emc/s640/Happy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/child-biography.htm?gid=07153308&source=" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Sponsor 4-year-old HAPPY from Rwanda</span></a></div>
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<br />Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-3565285877359774342017-01-16T19:20:00.000-03:302017-01-16T19:20:25.658-03:30Pleased To Meet You: Papi<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Welcome
to the second installment of my new series... Pleased to Meet You! </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Today
I want to introduce you to my most recently sponsored child!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Name:</b>
Papi</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Age:
</b>21</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Birthday:</b>
June 24</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Country:
</b>Indonesia</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3utsoF5-Il7DXadd_U0hmzorrbzLuEfBW4LLqK0Vr3ftYhtG8uwV9CuyUJrxDkgLj_87ZQQyYIB3-SjYG2c0eO99tHYIOAGQevcFjn-PZeQ3DRTo7DtVfYLIbXA7NoMv8Ac9VtmGwUAQ/s1600/IO6590215+Previous.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3utsoF5-Il7DXadd_U0hmzorrbzLuEfBW4LLqK0Vr3ftYhtG8uwV9CuyUJrxDkgLj_87ZQQyYIB3-SjYG2c0eO99tHYIOAGQevcFjn-PZeQ3DRTo7DtVfYLIbXA7NoMv8Ac9VtmGwUAQ/s400/IO6590215+Previous.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first photo of Papi that I saw on the website.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">OUR
RELATIONSHIP:</b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> I first saw Papi's picture on the Compassion
International website. He looked like an intelligent young man, and
when I clicked on his profile, I wasn't surprised to learn that he
was an above-average university student! I started sharing his photo
and information on Facebook, hoping that he would find a good sponsor
to help him finish out his time in the program. After a while, Papi
disappeared from the site, and I celebrated; he had been chosen! But
a few weeks later, he appeared on the site again... his child info
packet must have just been pulled to send to an event. I began
circulating his photo again... and weeks went by. I couldn't
understand why this handsome, studious young man was waiting so long!
Finally, I began wondering if </span><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I </i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">was meant to be his sponsor. I
struggled with it for a while... knowing that I couldn't afford
another child. But it would only be a short sponsorship... three
years at most... and I couldn't explain why I felt so inexplicably
drawn to him. My "yes" came in the form of my parents, who
offered to share his sponsorship with me! Now I know why Papi waited
so long to find a sponsor.... he was meant to join </span><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">my</i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> family!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>ABOUT
PAPI:</b> Papi lives in an urban area of Indonesia, where he attends one
of Indonesia's top universities to study for his degree in civil
engineering. When not attending classes, he spends his time at home
with his mother, who is a domestic worker, and two older sisters. In
his free time, he loves to visit the nearby beaches and play with his
two dogs! Although I don't hear from him as often as my other
children, he is a great writer and his letters are usually several
pages long! </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNovxNWhkzXSJ1O0peGiYAPkLPLZWBRyhs-0HhDmSwtCch-z_C7wrSxlQ9Y0kqotieEMRN8TFxLWNHnSxM9keB14itGUMXYxm81XL1zYFaPNB0jwaspjjIex0hjTg8V2phiCp-SDVP-NU/s1600/IO6590215+Current.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNovxNWhkzXSJ1O0peGiYAPkLPLZWBRyhs-0HhDmSwtCch-z_C7wrSxlQ9Y0kqotieEMRN8TFxLWNHnSxM9keB14itGUMXYxm81XL1zYFaPNB0jwaspjjIex0hjTg8V2phiCp-SDVP-NU/s400/IO6590215+Current.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papi's current photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>LETTER
EXCERPTS:</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
thank you very much for your willingness to sponsor me, Hannah."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"Each
morning I must struggle to ride on the campus bus because public
transport to campus is not many. It is one of our town cultures."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"My
hobby is watching animated movies, walking around, and hanging out
with friends."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"May
I call you sister? When is your birthday? What do you do? How is the
culture there?"</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"Shalom.
I am so glad writing you letter again. I really like to get and read
your letters. I reply, How are you?"</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
am so pleased that you have given the whale photo and some data about
them and I found it very nice. I haven't ever seen real whales yet
like you have. I only see them from TV and pictures. How many years
life of a whale?"</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
like reading books that tell about the life of a person (biography)
who inspired many people. I like to know their struggle to reach
their success. By the way what kind of books do you read?"</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
will always remember you because our mothers' names resemble. I also
like blue color, pink, and green. I am feeling lucky because my
family love me much, care, and support me all this time." </i></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
don't sing because my voice is not good and I don't know how to play
music instrument, but I like listening to music, that is why I want
to hear your band." </i></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylvB1giHDQH1pm0C_lYcruxZqMD5cyd8CX9yOn9tr94TxYCEl6bn43yChJ9uGLDHQ5BgMdMYLAYr0QO3XF92nQB_sVTofmHlB6Rl8R1bd0nPDJWxNMc30Z5dm3o6QQfCRpWI6MvuJg2k/s1600/11181306_1202292799787923_5263440427102672535_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylvB1giHDQH1pm0C_lYcruxZqMD5cyd8CX9yOn9tr94TxYCEl6bn43yChJ9uGLDHQ5BgMdMYLAYr0QO3XF92nQB_sVTofmHlB6Rl8R1bd0nPDJWxNMc30Z5dm3o6QQfCRpWI6MvuJg2k/s400/11181306_1202292799787923_5263440427102672535_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A drawing of Psalm 91:11 in Indonesian, by Papi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
like being at beach especially when sun sets. It always becomes my
favorite moment."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"Indonesian
traditional food is Se'i. Se'i is smoked beef or pork. Really
delicious."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"My
dogs' names are Avril and Digo. They are so cute. They act cuddly
while welcoming me everytime I got home." </i></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"The
beach here is made of rocks and sands. I couldn't swim. Here we have
many beautiful beaches. But lately, many people were afraid of going
to the beach because there was a wild alligator that was cut loose
around the beach."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
am happy to hear your story about Ken Taylor. I never heard about him
before. I hope you can send me other stories from The Faithful Man
and Woman that you know."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"By
the way, I like Newsboys and I also like Planet Shakers. I like their
song lyrics. This is my letter for now. Lord Jesus blesses you."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-56135852510020276012017-01-04T23:55:00.000-03:302017-01-04T23:55:06.602-03:30Pleased To Meet You: Mbula<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Howdy!
I'm excited to announce a new mini-series of sorts here on the Path
of the Carpenter... Pleased To Meet You!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In
this series, I will introduce you to each one of my sponsored kids in
depth. I will be sharing photos, quotes from letters, fun facts,
hobbies and interests, etc. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
just want to say that I totally got this idea from two awesome
blogger-friends of mine; Jessi and Hannah! They have both done a
series on their sponsored kids and I LOVED the idea! Jessi blogs over
at <a href="http://mrandmrsjonesblog.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Me and Mr. Jones</a>, and Hannah blogs from <a href="http://forshamim.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Because of Shamim</a>. I
highly recommend that you pop over and check out their blogs; they
have some pretty awesome content!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So
with that being said, on to the first introduction!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Name:</b>
Mbula </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Age:
</b>21</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Birthday:
</b>March 24</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Country:
</b>Kenya</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMHwEbPAPq3ngIGxUN1VSCb-MWcSIpHvEVT1-Cnu813f8SnQwdNdO1FY9nqCBEyMuKvwhLag-Y2q56CnnPFPK0qknqsrl4C5YzLJqgJCGjQcUQHC9sNRVtltrF6fmhr90lnNZrdZfAFA/s1600/Mbula+age+17crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMHwEbPAPq3ngIGxUN1VSCb-MWcSIpHvEVT1-Cnu813f8SnQwdNdO1FY9nqCBEyMuKvwhLag-Y2q56CnnPFPK0qknqsrl4C5YzLJqgJCGjQcUQHC9sNRVtltrF6fmhr90lnNZrdZfAFA/s400/Mbula+age+17crop.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first photo of Mbula that I received!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">OUR
RELATIONSHIP:</b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> On May the 15th, 2013, I put my name on Compassion
Canada's waiting list for an older correspondent child from Africa or
Asia. At the time, I had two 9-year-old girls, and really wanted the
chance to connect with an older child. I especially wanted a teen boy
from Africa, although I didn't specify that. On May 31st (my mother's
birthday) Mbula showed up on my account! The teen boy from Africa
that I wanted! He looked very stern and and handsome in his bright
red sweater, and I was a little intimidated about connecting with
him... I needn't have worried. From our very first letters back and
forth, we have called each other brother and sister. He is the
sweetest and most Godly young man one could imagine! And on September
25th, 2014, Mbula's financial sponsor dropped him, so I was proud to
become his financial sponsor.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfyFJQ2DumzPNjFpDk_xA9gJOizWRutmVD2qbqSzUideBHHSzj_ufkImmOfCycvTEe-_liHBmQAkfSlGWWrKCALYy2pf4n0TjI4wpP_quiHpm555jxs_1qcnn18yT_ST5LZoYpSb0DZ0/s1600/Mbula+age+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfyFJQ2DumzPNjFpDk_xA9gJOizWRutmVD2qbqSzUideBHHSzj_ufkImmOfCycvTEe-_liHBmQAkfSlGWWrKCALYy2pf4n0TjI4wpP_quiHpm555jxs_1qcnn18yT_ST5LZoYpSb0DZ0/s400/Mbula+age+19.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mbula's photo updated a year after I began writing to him!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">ABOUT
MBULA:</b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Mbula lives with both parents. He has three brothers (Kilonzo,
Musyoki, and Mutua) and one sister (Betty). His family are farmers
who grow maize and beans, and Mbula works hard to help them with the
planting and harvesting. One thing I learned right away about Mbula
is that he is a VERY passionate football (soccer) player. He mentions
football in almost every letter and enjoys competing as an attacking
mid-fielder. Mbula has also been a very dedicated student who's
favorite subject is History. He recently graduated from High School,
and he dreams of pursuing a university education and becoming a
doctor!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>EXTRA
PHOTOS:</b> In August of 2014, a sponsor friend visited Kenya and offered
to take a gallon-size baggie filled with goodies for a few of us
sponsors! I was happy to be able to send a polo shirt, wristwatch,
toothbrushes, leather gardening gloves , journal with Jeremiah 29:11
on it, bookmark, and a Canada keychain. A few months later I received
these fantastic photos of Mbula with his gifts, and got to see my boy
smile for the first time!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64tnpH0ciyHJuJ7xxNm91Mhs198soJxTFso5qEj1aqm1nBYBRKTI1WFWtBSnca2F5VGLWS5hhHZqXYHgk5r0rXG9SyZEBjavXEt8evD03mjm3m4nKgbD0Mic6x7-zoAHhnENjruUuxKs/s1600/DSC_9044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64tnpH0ciyHJuJ7xxNm91Mhs198soJxTFso5qEj1aqm1nBYBRKTI1WFWtBSnca2F5VGLWS5hhHZqXYHgk5r0rXG9SyZEBjavXEt8evD03mjm3m4nKgbD0Mic6x7-zoAHhnENjruUuxKs/s400/DSC_9044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMc_Umr6sRsGRxmbaxADY_z7r9ONI0LMUp0XsoAkG-zgpGL5WMVsd4ya9JP3v-Pz3SC1gwj30KPA4E_C0FoA8A3C7q9Mhqe1osl2MBdTuk8hfC-4PWbH82_WwheEwYSN32t6a1ZG4Hhs/s1600/DSC_8012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMc_Umr6sRsGRxmbaxADY_z7r9ONI0LMUp0XsoAkG-zgpGL5WMVsd4ya9JP3v-Pz3SC1gwj30KPA4E_C0FoA8A3C7q9Mhqe1osl2MBdTuk8hfC-4PWbH82_WwheEwYSN32t6a1ZG4Hhs/s400/DSC_8012.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>LETTER
EXCERPTS:</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"In
our family, we have three brother and one sister. I would not mind
anymore if you would be my second sister in our family."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"My
pastor's name is Pastor Matthew who is God's fearing servant and he
likes doing God's will and following them."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"My
brothers were very much interested in the letter that you sent me.
Actually, it was very interesting and they appreciated very much."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"In
our community, we are doing well although the rain was inadequate, we
managed to put extra effort in the garden matters. We thank God for
the little that we have got from our garden."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE3-HikNTMXFtVaNbddC6B_tPSxCFj_kPhly6zZZHvisYD7YueTxgvCM36cZi_L6c1tob_3Rw_eoQVym-xl3bQC1j8fH4gawhKBy86vOlNZIyrECaasK6JzYxYcRtVkyQ91pvK-NLOVU/s1600/Mbula+age+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE3-HikNTMXFtVaNbddC6B_tPSxCFj_kPhly6zZZHvisYD7YueTxgvCM36cZi_L6c1tob_3Rw_eoQVym-xl3bQC1j8fH4gawhKBy86vOlNZIyrECaasK6JzYxYcRtVkyQ91pvK-NLOVU/s400/Mbula+age+5.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mbula's very first Compassion photo at 5 years old!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">"In
our country we had an athletic games where we had some Kenyans
participating in Moscow. In spite of tough competition they managed
to win some of the games."</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
am very glad to know the meaning of your name and actually the grace
of God is with you. According to me, my name was inherited from my
grandfather according to our custom."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
had a wonderful time since you started sponsoring me and you actually
committed yourself in helping me. May you continue with the same
spirit as you continue living in this world."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
am very happy to hear that you have managed to be my sponsor. May the
Almighty Lord bless you as you keep on sponsoring me. I also give
thanks to my outgoing </i>(previous)
<i>sponsor who was very helpful to me. May the Almighty God
keep on blessing her very much."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPk0qTpE0jIExoqa34H1k1JXUKCrO4tAoN8MwJIt-8rgWxC_K5lh89xldHptVoJq3tC_KYX9BUd9BWbLRVZelDOGQbCluXqakI_jfYcfSFkt_dGqoFjH_nvvg4VlfcxGqPLOGcJTJVgEs/s1600/Mbula+age+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPk0qTpE0jIExoqa34H1k1JXUKCrO4tAoN8MwJIt-8rgWxC_K5lh89xldHptVoJq3tC_KYX9BUd9BWbLRVZelDOGQbCluXqakI_jfYcfSFkt_dGqoFjH_nvvg4VlfcxGqPLOGcJTJVgEs/s400/Mbula+age+13.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mbula age 13</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">"I
would be very happy if you wish to visit us here in Kenya and enjoy
good and attractive places with beautiful natural features."</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"Hallo
my sister, let me take this golden chance to salute you. I would
greatly thank you for sending me a hand watch, gloves, diary, shirt,
toothbrush and the letter that you wrote to me. I actually
appreciated them and they are really helping me. Concerning T-shirts
I usually wear it when going to church. I also shared toothbrushes
among my brothers and my sister. They also appreciated you very much.
I also use the watch in school and the diary in church for writing
personal Bible verses."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"It
is my hope that you are always trusting in the Almighty Lord as your
personal Saviour. May He fully bless you and protect you in your
life, and expand your territories."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"How
have you been since I lastly wrote a letter to you?"</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpLdi56mZDfZ_ygn5AP0XivrSpgnnwwzaIVplT6wAZH1Bu1TR2IlrFl62tMd3QbglYrQqCg25DIlVgtC2KwW8l4EWlLzIDn6X7bDTGg2-hsUUVf9YyMGTbjaY7LpiPRKtBM7udmagrBA/s1600/Mbula+drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpLdi56mZDfZ_ygn5AP0XivrSpgnnwwzaIVplT6wAZH1Bu1TR2IlrFl62tMd3QbglYrQqCg25DIlVgtC2KwW8l4EWlLzIDn6X7bDTGg2-hsUUVf9YyMGTbjaY7LpiPRKtBM7udmagrBA/s320/Mbula+drawing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
am very happy to know from your previous letter that your father is a
French. I would also appreciate if you sent me a letter with a French
words and their meanings."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
greatly appreciate for your letter of a short story of a moose. I
have really enjoyed reading it and it's my hope that our family
members will enjoy reading and narrate it to others."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"It
is my hope that God has made your life a beautiful moment, and you
deserve to honor and believe in Him in your life."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
am very glad to inform you that I received the gift you sent me. I
really appreciated and thanked a lot. I was able to purchase the
following items: 1 goat, 3 plastic chairs and 2 hens. I pray to God
that you will keep on remembering me and any other person since we
are all God's people."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYyrCyn-eKxf-6-nnjfJ5MOC5vwy_4wY27_mxfODZ-uAGspojFkJNlnzyvWqZYGRzq2aDsir51_mpciqhV6a1XYeLSulGsHjVGtRmQAI0ZLSX9Tzs9qoBPESQ_dSASGiNYZ26o03LtWk/s1600/Mbula+age+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYyrCyn-eKxf-6-nnjfJ5MOC5vwy_4wY27_mxfODZ-uAGspojFkJNlnzyvWqZYGRzq2aDsir51_mpciqhV6a1XYeLSulGsHjVGtRmQAI0ZLSX9Tzs9qoBPESQ_dSASGiNYZ26o03LtWk/s400/Mbula+age+21.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mbula's most recent photo; 21 years old.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-31559486507937833892017-01-02T19:53:00.000-03:302017-01-06T21:35:20.366-03:30One Word For 2017<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Happy
New Year friends! It's been such a long time since I've visited with
you all. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As
some of you might already know, I've never been a "New Year's
Resolutions" kinda girl. It's easy to make 'em but it's also
wayyyy easy to break 'em. And I don't like the guilt trip that
happens when I inevitably stray off the beaten path a month (or a
week, or a day) in. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So
when I first joined the <a href="https://compassionbloggers.com/" target="_blank">Compassion Bloggers</a> and learned about "One
Word", I liked the idea immediately. The premise is simple...
you choose one word (although I know people who have picked a phrase,
but I like to keep it simple) to focus on for the year.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">My
very first Word of the Year was chosen in 2015, and it was "Joy."
I chose that word in January, and it was a well-needed reminder. I
had been struggling through a lot of personal losses at the time and
I felt like I had completely lost my joy. So it was really something
I needed to focus on.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">My
second Word of the Year was "Free," and you can read my
blog post about that right <a href="http://pathofthecarpenter.blogspot.ca/2016/01/i-am-free.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Again, that Word had a huge amount
of significance in my life. And I can say with all honesty that that
Word has changed my life this year. I broke free of a lot of things
that held me back, cut myself loose from some harmful relationships,
and freed myself from some harmful mindsets. God always knows what
He's up to!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This
year, I'll admit I had quite a struggle picking a Word. I actually
got really frustrated on New Year's Eve because I still didn't have
my Word chosen. I waffled back and forth between two or three Words,
but nothing felt "right." I had to have a word that really
"spoke" to me, not just a word but a Word (there is a
difference you know!), and I just wasn't getting it. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Until
last night, when it came to me simply and easy after a long hike in a
snow-covered wood. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8aJbc4aDR_-32YoBdkb0CfyQOGUq0Bhaqd3IuqV-nAs5W409o2Viel9ABrMkgNs1g8NOKUy8r9Om2-nRV4G-IDrAjpbWRnD1o_Lr9vUyYGgqBGbnQZ6qPLeitEHbmWp9wp4WvbrcpzI/s1600/pizap.com14833778724581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8aJbc4aDR_-32YoBdkb0CfyQOGUq0Bhaqd3IuqV-nAs5W409o2Viel9ABrMkgNs1g8NOKUy8r9Om2-nRV4G-IDrAjpbWRnD1o_Lr9vUyYGgqBGbnQZ6qPLeitEHbmWp9wp4WvbrcpzI/s320/pizap.com14833778724581.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Embrace.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Last
year was the year that I became Free. I let loose and let God change
me into the person that I was meant to be... I even started a new
blog about my personal journey (<a href="https://thepeacefulbohemian.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">The Peaceful Bohemian</a>). But with all
that change came a lot of resistance, a lot of fear, a lot of
emotional baggage and other stuff. This year, I will learn to EMBRACE
that freedom. To cling to my faith with all I've got. To stop
existing and starting LIVING. To hold on tight to the people I love.
To take a deep breath and dive in. To love deeply, passionately,
wildly. Embracing who I am in Christ, and embracing others for who
they are. Throwing my arms wide open and letting God's love allow me
to Embrace the whole world. Whatever that means.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaRbVQ46ujdk2h-ER13Mky7Ooa2qCBrw6pe-fbdrxE-NTolZRaZ81N4rLxD0P-3uzDEaOBSBhit6T0svxEnTo6GNrOPRabGgG8hP3qzYwzUBzXG65qjIYwmM49J5AqMUQZGsl-Gh11N0/s1600/14568204_10154178328697701_2543942007611762858_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaRbVQ46ujdk2h-ER13Mky7Ooa2qCBrw6pe-fbdrxE-NTolZRaZ81N4rLxD0P-3uzDEaOBSBhit6T0svxEnTo6GNrOPRabGgG8hP3qzYwzUBzXG65qjIYwmM49J5AqMUQZGsl-Gh11N0/s400/14568204_10154178328697701_2543942007611762858_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo belongs to Compassion Canada, taken from their Facebook page</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">So,
I hope you all will join me on this year's journey, as we all learn
to embrace ourselves and our lives and God's will for us.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">What
will your word be?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
if you feel God is speaking to you to embrace a child in need this year, will
you consider sponsoring one of these precious little ones? By supporting them and welcoming them into your family, you will change their life and also
change your own. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding sponsorship whatsoever! Click on the link below each child's photo to learn more about them! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkI0EglgVcVUhXU2FJxWTy-oGnAgg6CIoOL6-AsgQ5FMh62Lod3bqAFAG8b4kPuEIID7B9hOsNvoJgZvzeKJZJJluHJldgCPC-jElY9f4hdwXwZkdb-WIJNYJ_Xyt15e0NUUchr2kWJo/s1600/ID4340210-Portrait-200w.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkI0EglgVcVUhXU2FJxWTy-oGnAgg6CIoOL6-AsgQ5FMh62Lod3bqAFAG8b4kPuEIID7B9hOsNvoJgZvzeKJZJJluHJldgCPC-jElY9f4hdwXwZkdb-WIJNYJ_Xyt15e0NUUchr2kWJo/s1600/ID4340210-Portrait-200w.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Adorable Rein is four years old. He lives in Indonesia.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><u>Rein has been sponsored!</u></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2szA1NJggUPVciBZlpORvdD_mlknvMm9NKUphMIvYiI_Mnw6uWtKjUKpn9todu2TnhaGCYGpbiUIrLnmR6uCQenjwYbNILnNfmKgeKc8ZMF9ynXkBB_guQD4fVhD_VkEbGLUsmNTetw/s1600/IO8690853-Portrait-200w.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2szA1NJggUPVciBZlpORvdD_mlknvMm9NKUphMIvYiI_Mnw6uWtKjUKpn9todu2TnhaGCYGpbiUIrLnmR6uCQenjwYbNILnNfmKgeKc8ZMF9ynXkBB_guQD4fVhD_VkEbGLUsmNTetw/s1600/IO8690853-Portrait-200w.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Cheerful Chelsea is seven years old. She also lives in Indonesia.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><u>Chelsea has been sponsored!</u></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWJy1JPeHUOxugefFlTHNC1oIP5rRT_f1nCyOrCXS4VIR3WQPefNbkLRmnsDGMjheNpHvvgpBf2fPr-QcVGUWr-3jhHjKgyByAH48mAFtTMK9paXzh1dqZze0_ihBrCJN6OmLAVbjo3o/s1600/DR8320057-Portrait-200w.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWJy1JPeHUOxugefFlTHNC1oIP5rRT_f1nCyOrCXS4VIR3WQPefNbkLRmnsDGMjheNpHvvgpBf2fPr-QcVGUWr-3jhHjKgyByAH48mAFtTMK9paXzh1dqZze0_ihBrCJN6OmLAVbjo3o/s1600/DR8320057-Portrait-200w.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Pigtailed Arisleidy is four years old. She lives in the Dominican Republic.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/child-biography.htm?needKey=DR8320057&referer=152207" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about Arisleidy.</a></span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-3343945619156712852016-08-26T23:04:00.000-02:302016-08-26T23:24:44.997-02:30News From My Kids! <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
haven't been updating this blog very frequently lately, so it is with
joy that I share THREE new letters from my beloved kids!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Since
Compassion implemented some of their new letter-writing policies,
there was a bit of a backup with letters stemming from some glitches
with the new system. Things are getting back on track though, and I
am finally starting to hear from my kiddos again! </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">First
up is a letter from Mbula! </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H7K4zlvN1KZuDnTp4vrT91DljeSkgv38EAhVVF-S_shD7y32lZja8vcXdNeFJ3-yadIXhp78mafrIOD7RWrnQ0b8h3k9LSpIlFrZc3JF4htVzfXup5viN8G7PgK74_rPZewooFQKJxg/s1600/Mbula+age+19portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H7K4zlvN1KZuDnTp4vrT91DljeSkgv38EAhVVF-S_shD7y32lZja8vcXdNeFJ3-yadIXhp78mafrIOD7RWrnQ0b8h3k9LSpIlFrZc3JF4htVzfXup5viN8G7PgK74_rPZewooFQKJxg/s1600/Mbula+age+19portrait.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">He starts every letter with "</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><i>Hi!
My dear sister in Christ."</i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">
He says he hopes that I enjoyed the Christmas holidays well. His was
"</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><i>really
wonderful" </i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">and
he really enjoyed it. He responded to a letter I had written quite a
while back about my job situation, and adds that he is praying for me
and knows that God will answer his prayers. He also asked for prayers
since this is his last year in secondary classes. One more reminder
that he will be graduating Compassion's program next year! (Cue teary
sponsor moment). </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">I
had written about Richard Turere, the Maasai boy who invented a way
to protect his family's cows from lions, and Mbula responded, "</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><i>I
also appreciate the story of the Maasai boy. Actually, I have never
heard it but it was interesting to go through it." </i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">He
also says he is keenly and actively participating in church. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Mbula
closed his letter with, "</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><i>Remember,
if you believe, all things are possible to him who believes as it is
stated in the Scripture Mark 9:23."</i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">
Thank you for that reminder my dear brother!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">He
also drew me this beautiful picture, the first drawing I have ever
received from him!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo2WRblAtt5qboaZWld7HDHnE7XfFQYYV4nNxC20n75Ab813ZAd4UXVpfBz5VjOHNgGj7bD0v9yU_MvHojwX9bYzFXOjztt0_LAFeq3RFA3s_kwELWj_YxIRfjDuOWTBH_xyy0mM_Ax8/s1600/Mbula+drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo2WRblAtt5qboaZWld7HDHnE7XfFQYYV4nNxC20n75Ab813ZAd4UXVpfBz5VjOHNgGj7bD0v9yU_MvHojwX9bYzFXOjztt0_LAFeq3RFA3s_kwELWj_YxIRfjDuOWTBH_xyy0mM_Ax8/s320/Mbula+drawing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Next
up is a letter from my beautiful Basomingera! </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0ICLc-hW3ndWlntZK04OqUJwKMRBQNXx8tYUpiT4-hBV9wKqg-8PqRYJIwrYf7ttOv_FYbWMQ-Rr4DxbCnIE4Qo4xlv_LX-e_WK3b5lISOQFPJ_475zd6UoCdBR5zPgMvMoy3vk6QMc/s1600/pizap.com14631862996151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0ICLc-hW3ndWlntZK04OqUJwKMRBQNXx8tYUpiT4-hBV9wKqg-8PqRYJIwrYf7ttOv_FYbWMQ-Rr4DxbCnIE4Qo4xlv_LX-e_WK3b5lISOQFPJ_475zd6UoCdBR5zPgMvMoy3vk6QMc/s320/pizap.com14631862996151.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">This was a "first
letter" template, since I recently became her financial sponsor.
I was excited to learn some details that I hadn't known before, such
as her mother's name and her siblings' ages (I knew their names). I
learned that her favorite color is yellow, her favorite food is meat,
her favorite game is football (soccer), her favorite toy is a doll,
her favorite subject is math (good girl!), and her favorite Bible
verse is Job 28:28. She then said, "</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><i>I
appreciate your letter and the photos that were many! And it was so
nice. I wonder when did God give you such a love that you show me?
</i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">(cue
sponsor tears... again.) </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><i>I
wish you God's peace and blessings. Pray for me to perform well in
school the National exams, November 2016." </i></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She
also drew me her first picture ever, an adorable cow! </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-lCtpkeZRIyFhege8R2XiDmMIy3sUigC5Cv5mCkkfVEOcGOzzVEk3FcySP7jNJwulT0JD-vrCkReq7s0KW7PQuts26hW02eLde5sbe_JsYV6H8DK_4-4jFGf7R1akwO-hUOA5m2ml4s/s1600/Cow+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-lCtpkeZRIyFhege8R2XiDmMIy3sUigC5Cv5mCkkfVEOcGOzzVEk3FcySP7jNJwulT0JD-vrCkReq7s0KW7PQuts26hW02eLde5sbe_JsYV6H8DK_4-4jFGf7R1akwO-hUOA5m2ml4s/s320/Cow+pic.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Lastly,
a letter from Miriam! </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk88vf6ImPaooZIsTnA7mnbqNh7qrYNF-0pvUnoMOsY0eQGDjWbnWUMyd3D3fTPeSmqzDFFe7LiWF_ZmrZi4QfWBgBFxG6sFyMRxJ6E7CvdbH1mFYTAS6yEIQoq5mxiFq0ASG99lenx5k/s1600/KE3840272-Portrait-200w.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk88vf6ImPaooZIsTnA7mnbqNh7qrYNF-0pvUnoMOsY0eQGDjWbnWUMyd3D3fTPeSmqzDFFe7LiWF_ZmrZi4QfWBgBFxG6sFyMRxJ6E7CvdbH1mFYTAS6yEIQoq5mxiFq0ASG99lenx5k/s1600/KE3840272-Portrait-200w.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">This was written on the "My House"
template. In this letter, I learned that she sleeps with her
siblings, she gets water from the river, her house is made of mud
with an iron sheet roof, she does not have electricity in her house,
and she washes her clothes in a basin. I also learned her parents'
and siblings' names. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Miriam's
tutor wrote some exciting news on Miriam's behalf, "</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><i>Miriam
greets you in Jesus' name. She says she is fine and doing well at
home and at school. She loves you and thus informs you that her
mother has a new-born baby boy (Mbulu) who is 2 months of age. </i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">(Cue
excited sponsor dancing up and down moment!) </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><i>She
is looking forward to meet you one day of her life. </i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">(Heart-melt!)
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><i>She says that she
loves going to Sunday school and prays for you and your family
members. Wishes you a happy life.</i></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">"</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">And
she drew this awesome, colorful picture! </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFilZfkw9gZe1lFdaM9ik0YVzRGgfym37WfEcUc2IlDZpvUx5pTWrlOvJ4bGhu5NU6AoZV_YvcTuOPTb4R4mgMn5azLhMTmXqQiHOUUaWb37NTETl7NZbtomTuIRh3JzgEwLuRNRtkTw/s1600/Miriam+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFilZfkw9gZe1lFdaM9ik0YVzRGgfym37WfEcUc2IlDZpvUx5pTWrlOvJ4bGhu5NU6AoZV_YvcTuOPTb4R4mgMn5azLhMTmXqQiHOUUaWb37NTETl7NZbtomTuIRh3JzgEwLuRNRtkTw/s400/Miriam+pic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">I'm
so glad to be hearing from my kids again! Now I'm just waiting on
long-overdue letters from Isimbi and Papi, and of course Shakira,
whom I don't hear from as frequently since she is through a different
organization. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Have
you gotten any fun letters lately? </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-31298086022855061352016-06-25T15:56:00.000-02:302017-01-03T23:15:43.450-03:30One Less Broken Heart<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">If
you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you'll know my
Basomingera Ada from Rwanda. My sweet girl that I've been writing to
for almost four years now.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Four
years. That's a long time. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So
when I logged in to my Compassion account and noticed that her
precious face was missing, alarm bells went off in my head. I
immediately contacted Compassion, and learned the news that makes
every correspondent sponsor's heart sink. Ada's financial sponsor had
dropped her.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Logically,
I tried to look at my finances. But thankfully for all of us, your
heart doesn't always follow the dictates of your bank account. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Because
I remembered the first time I saw this precious face.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsGqhic47utCpoJo2e5gemgOXAzc-e_5y0gEbtYXf4Vz_wk_Im5nWc8-E9pyM5E4grSvK4lrArEUo84WRp6rtGrBqzd9C_BI5P8XTVWW7mkt5H4k7_4ExjcsZVJX8XpesoqOgwIcB6w4/s1600/Basomingera+age+9portrait.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsGqhic47utCpoJo2e5gemgOXAzc-e_5y0gEbtYXf4Vz_wk_Im5nWc8-E9pyM5E4grSvK4lrArEUo84WRp6rtGrBqzd9C_BI5P8XTVWW7mkt5H4k7_4ExjcsZVJX8XpesoqOgwIcB6w4/s320/Basomingera+age+9portrait.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
remembered the overwhelming joy that flooded my soul when I looked
into those melting chocolate eyes and felt like I'd found a piece of
myself. I remembered that night, lying awake and loving this child
that I didn't know, but yet felt like I had known forever. The words
of a song by Christina Perri rang through my mind that night... they
played over and over. I have come to call this song "Ada's
Song", and whenever I hear it, I think of her. </span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q9ayN39xmsI" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
as I stared at the blank spot on my account, where my darling girl's
face used to look back at me, I remembered her words.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
thank you for your previous letter you wrote to me and many more
other letters you keep sending me and tell me that Jesus is a Friend
Who can never forsake me. I thank you for the nice pictures. Please
continue writing me." </i></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
feel like missing you."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"Thank
you so much for your having accepted to be my sponsor. It reminds me
of how Jesus loved me and accepted to be my sponsor."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
am so glad to hear from you and know that I am part of your family."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
pray for you to be with God all the time."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
thank God Who connected us. I wish to be a doctor and I wish to see
you."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>"I
thank you for being a good parent and I was happy for the good things
you always do to me. I believe to have a better future."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
lastly, I looked at this precious face. </span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikTnuyJoh5J3x3_SNhLFj35SvA7VKtwM-1DPMHow3-3W2YE40UUEWHZjKJwxBnGTFdpb118uazg7EVs5-sMThMH6nMjWR31P6N84MymWMlnYGxlKsyZGg5FAkrdeAW5dh3zH2ud1Xdhw/s1600/pizap.com14242214835751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikTnuyJoh5J3x3_SNhLFj35SvA7VKtwM-1DPMHow3-3W2YE40UUEWHZjKJwxBnGTFdpb118uazg7EVs5-sMThMH6nMjWR31P6N84MymWMlnYGxlKsyZGg5FAkrdeAW5dh3zH2ud1Xdhw/s640/pizap.com14242214835751.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
the rest is, as they say, history. Welcome to the family Basomingera
Ada... my fourth sponsored child. My own. My heart, my world. God
willing, I will sponsor her until she graduates out of the program.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">You've
come home, beautiful Basomingera. I will be the last sponsor you ever
have. And I will love you for the rest of my life. </span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
to quote Matthew West's song One Less, <i>"There's one less
broken heart in the world tonight." </i></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7w7zM89QViS3zcQV74lc0FGUj1loKV6NZRE6ZSAnqpXDpmUauYwF-IGio5ftBxKzchecSYN1OXcNFwfqqCBa8ahyVpQfbcZOB_Gf9gkILtYBg4qQenGQO-XCd5HZxJsxX3biPwm7iSU/s1600/pizap.com14668790811221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7w7zM89QViS3zcQV74lc0FGUj1loKV6NZRE6ZSAnqpXDpmUauYwF-IGio5ftBxKzchecSYN1OXcNFwfqqCBa8ahyVpQfbcZOB_Gf9gkILtYBg4qQenGQO-XCd5HZxJsxX3biPwm7iSU/s400/pizap.com14668790811221.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-88005095121648822642016-01-23T22:11:00.000-03:302016-01-23T22:11:32.562-03:30I Am Free<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Before
you begin reading this post, it's important that you realize it's gonna be
a long and ramble-y one. (Is that even a word?) </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So.
Hmmm. Where do I even start. It's been such a crazy long time since I
posted anything here on the Path of the Carpenter. Not that I haven't
wanted to, it's just been, well, <i>life. </i>I could blame being
busy or working a lot or whatever (although those things are all
true) but to be honest with you all, that hasn't been the real reason
for my prolonged absence. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
truth is, I was getting a little depressed in my blogging life. Not
just my blogging life, but my online (social media) life in general.
You see, I'm a raw and real person. Unlike some, I don't try to
"filter" my life to make it appear more rosy... I've always
been pretty brutally honest about myself and my struggles, my dreams,
my fears, my emotions. In person, I'm quiet and introverted, but
online, I feel more comfortable sharing abut myself. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But
as I'm sure you all know, when you put yourself out there on the
internet, or anywhere really, it generally leads to attacks. Big
ones. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So
to be honest, I haven't been on here in a long while because I was
tired. Tired of feeling like everything I posted was being
criticized, picked-apart, over-analyzed, and over-reacted to. Tired
of people praising my blogging one day and then slamming it the next.
Tired of people calling me up saying, "Why did you post this,
that didn't sound right, people are going to be offended by that,
you're this, you're that, you're something else..."</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">To
be honest, I considered shutting the Path of the Carpenter down. Far
from being a sanctuary, a safe place for me to be myself, I felt like
I had to post everything perfectly and live up to a certain number of
expectations and be politically correct and please everyone... and
ended up pleasing no one, least of all myself.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So,
over the past year really, I haven't posted anything much about my
personal life at all; on my Facebook page or here. I haven't posted
anything political or controversial. I haven't shared my opinions on
much of anything. I just stayed quiet and kept my mouth shut and let
the emotions roll off me "like water on a duck's back."</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And
was I happy?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">No.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Not
at all. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">You
know, when the first of January rolled around, I did some serious
thinking. I've never really been one for making (or breaking) New
Year's resolutions. But a group of people I've come to consider as my
friends (all fellow <a href="http://www.compassion.com/" target="_blank">Compassion</a> sponsors like me) have a... well, a
tradition, I guess you could call it. To pick one word to focus on
for the year. (You can read more about One Word, One Year <a href="http://blog.compassion.com/the-new-year-comes-down-to-one-word/" target="_blank">HERE</a>) </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Last
year, my "Word for the Year" was "Joy." I was
feeling a lot of stress when 2015 came in, and I wasn't feeling much
joy... I'd lost my job, lost my grandmother to cancer, and underwent
an extreme personal attack all in one month. Plus my Seasonal
Affective Disorder was in full swing, and depression was rearing its
ugly head again. So I really felt like it was time to go on a
prolonged search for JOY in my life. It wasn't easy, but I did,
eventually, begin to find a measure of joy in my life again.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">So,
when 2016 rolled around and my friends began posting their words for
the year, I began to think seriously about mine. And it didn't take
long for me to find it. Or perhaps I should say, my "word"
found ME.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Free.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">On
January the first, I decided that it was time to make a decision. Am
I going to live the rest of my life constantly suppressed by others'
opinions and expectations of me, or am I going to be myself? Am I
going to speak up when I don't feel something is right? Am I going to
wear what I want to wear (I've been finding creative expression in
hippie/boho/gypsy style lately) , sing what I want to sing, say what
I want to say, post what I want to post, and generally follow the
leading of the Spirit... or am I going to back into a corner and shut
myself off from who I am, because some people don't like me for it?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
finally stood up and said, enough. I am who I am... I am who God
created me to be. I am silly. I am strange. I am a fiercely
protective sponsor mom/big sister. I am that crazy redhead who sings
in a band and wears long flowing skirts and dangly jewelry. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
Am Free. Free to live, to laugh, to love. </span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rTMZ-kwZNWg" width="420"></iframe>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
above song is one that I haven't been able to listen to for years.
There are a lot of painful memories attached to this song for me...
memories that made it impossible to hear it without wanting to
weep... or break something (there's honesty for ya). </span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This
year, I can listen to it and believe it. Because I choose to put
those memories behind me and say that they do not define who I am...
God does. </span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
am free to run. I am free to dance. I am free to live for Him. </span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>I
am free. </i></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-18317416917600523372015-09-04T23:45:00.000-02:302015-09-04T23:45:38.797-02:30A Letter to My Childhood Self<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I read this prompt
on the Compassion blog and decided to have some fun with it!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL3rww2ckRzn68LCsoMbHBG05RXlCPbvzX2aW2FAVcJrS1ohJxeFtZoANaHxHlsKqqVWvA65Kg0aZuAWjKR7iRXKmn_tT2fAgWyHIwlOwEPHl5d4V1FHYaROz09JoYsmwQGyPqNRGzrM/s1600/262870_274103772606835_4110262_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL3rww2ckRzn68LCsoMbHBG05RXlCPbvzX2aW2FAVcJrS1ohJxeFtZoANaHxHlsKqqVWvA65Kg0aZuAWjKR7iRXKmn_tT2fAgWyHIwlOwEPHl5d4V1FHYaROz09JoYsmwQGyPqNRGzrM/s320/262870_274103772606835_4110262_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Aharoni;">Dear
Little Hannah,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">It's
me. No, not that, ya goose. <i>Me</i>. Your older, wiser, more
experienced self. Have I got a few words of wisdom for <i>you</i>!
No, you're not crazy. Just be quiet and listen, 'kay?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Number
1. </b>Adulting is <i>hard,
</i>girl! There's so much
stuff that you haven't even thought about! Bills to pay! Cars
breaking down! Forms to fill out! And more forms!! And <i>more
</i>forms!!!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Not
to mention, catching that centipede that you discover in your sink at
four in the morning <i>all
by yourself.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">All
I can say is, experiment. No one's gotta know about that batch of
cookies you had to dump because you burned them beyond recognition...
or the entire container of food that you forgot in the back of the
fridge and had to throw away container and all because it grew *GASP*
<i>pink mold</i>
and everyone knows that PINK MOLD CAN KILL YOU... or the time you
dropped an entire pie on the floor... or the time you caught the
microwave on fire. (Gosh, kiddo, you sure didn't inherit your mom's
cooking genes did ya?)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Just
chill, take it easy... it's called growing up. Every adult does stuff
like this. I think.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Number
2. </b>Adulting is <i>amazing.
</i>That's the part that
people don't tell you about. When you go out and purchase a piece of
furniture that compliments your decor perfectly... when you dress up
and treat yourself to dinner to celebrate life... when you just get
in your car and drive and drive with no destination in mind, just
because you can... when you host your first party. Being an adult is
the toughest thing you'll ever do, but also the most rewarding. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Number
3. </b>You know that African girl
you've been wanting to sponsor? The one you dream about every time
you see a World Vision commercial on TV? The one whose picture you
cut out of a magazine and taped to the fridge? The one you dream
about writing letters to?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">You're
going to have four of them. Yup. Four. And two boys besides. (One in
Indonesia.) And it will C<i>hange.
Your. Life. </i>And it will
cause your heart to break in ways you never dreamed of and it will
put all the pieces of your life back together again and your friends
will call you a single mom and you'll brag about "your kids"
to random strangers and it will be the best thing that ever happens
in your life. I promise. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Number
4. </b>Okay, I hate to tell you
this part. You're gonna get hurt, babygirl. Adults don't know how to
play nice. Be careful who you give your heart away to, all right?
Even the sweetest people in the world can let you down and hurt you
in ways that no one should have to experience. You're going to learn
what depression means. You're going to learn what betrayal means.
You're going to learn what sleepless nights feel like, and what
crying until you throw up feels like, and what rage feels like.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">But
you'll make it. (If you didn't, I wouldn't be here writing this
letter to you would I?)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">You'll
make it, you know why? Because you're going to learn that it's not
about who you are, it's about <i>Whose</i>
you are. Because you'll learn to see everything beautiful in the
storm. Because your worth will come from One Who loves you. Because
one day, you'll learn to smile and walk away with your heart intact.
You may not think that you're going to make it, but you will. Because
one day, you'll learn to remove negative people, thoughts, and
influences from your life without a second thought. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Number
5. </b>You are who you are. Don't
let anybody, and I mean anybody, change that. Be crazy. Be weird. Be
awkward. Stick out like a sore thumb. Be the one running around
catching snowflakes on your tongue while people look at you like
you've lost your mind. Be the one giggling so hard that everyone
turns to look. Be <i>you</i>,
crazy girl. Don't be anybody else.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Number
6. </b>Remember how you always
dreamed of being a singer? You're gonna do it chickie! You're gonna
sing on stages and have people cry and come up afterwards to hug you.
And what's more, you're going to meet the best friends that you've
ever had who are gonna sit back and accept you for who you are.
You're going to laugh until you snort and you're going to go on crazy
adventures and you're going to sing in parking lots and restaurants
and malls, and you're going to go into a recording studio and get a
fit of anxious laughter because you can't believe you're <i>making
a CD for crying out loud and isn't that unbelievable?! </i></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Number
7. </b>You're gonna grow up,
Hannah-Strawberry-Banana-Spitfire-Torment. And it's going to be
painfully funny and beautifully impossible. And you're going to laugh
and cry and groan and giggle and scream and sigh. And it's going to
be fun. And it's going to be tough. And you're gonna do it. And
you're not gonna give up, because like I said, if you did, I wouldn't
be writing you this letter. And you're gonna come out on top; maybe a
little battered, maybe a little broken, but still beautiful, okay? </span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arimo, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Because
you're not brave enough to be mediocre. </span></span>
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Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-11088991895311556392015-09-03T21:50:00.000-02:302015-09-03T21:50:59.000-02:30August Anamneses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjNtsRBOJXtIRwtZBmBaighG2Tk2VOXX49DaBxl_64DUpy-UK0TjHMGv1XvUI-kPIvrVnFJPkn6D8-JoxSZ72xK09mbRG8vBO69biY9RT5ucRj361ukyYtlW-FN-EX8wye2RhFwrIkvk/s1600/pizap.com14413237843781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjNtsRBOJXtIRwtZBmBaighG2Tk2VOXX49DaBxl_64DUpy-UK0TjHMGv1XvUI-kPIvrVnFJPkn6D8-JoxSZ72xK09mbRG8vBO69biY9RT5ucRj361ukyYtlW-FN-EX8wye2RhFwrIkvk/s320/pizap.com14413237843781.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Three letters to share this month!! I
just adore getting letters from my kids!</div>
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First up was a letter from my dearest
brother Mbula. I love what a fantastic relationship I have with this
young man.
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He began his letter, as he does almost
every time, with "<i>Hallo my sister!" </i>He
told me that he was glad to hear about my parents' recent visit, and
that I <i>"took time talking with them." </i>He
sent them his greetings and told them that God loves them. He also
shared that he was glad to hear that I really appreciated the photos
of him with the gift bag I was able to send him through a visiting
sponsor! (I had told him that I was so happy to see a picture of him
smiling that it made me cry. ) He says that he keeps on <i>"praying
to Almighty to encourage you to keep sending these gifts." </i>Mbula
shared that he's happy to hear that I'm praying for him and his
family, and on their side, they're "keenly" praying for me
too!</div>
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I
recently sent Mbula a letter about my most recent correspondence
child, Miriam, since she's also in Kenya. I told him that he had a
little Compassion sister and that I was so blessed to be able to
write to her. He wrote back and said, <i>"I am grateful
to have a small sister in Compassion, since I only have an older
biological sister. I am really blessed. When you write to her send my
regards to her."</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He also shared how
he is doing in school and encouraged me to keep praying for him.
Lastly, he closed with Isaiah 41:10, which says "Fear not, for I
am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God."</div>
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Next up is a letter
from my beautiful Ada!</div>
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She is always so
sweet and grateful in her letters. She says, "<i>Thank you for
taking care of me in my daily life. Thank you for keeping me in your
prayers." </i>She also shared that she is in grade five and is
preparing for end of term exams. Then she thanked me for the letter I
sent to her and said that it pleased her and she was glad to hear
from me. Then she thanked me a couple more times!
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Lastly, I got my
first "real" letter from Papi! His first letter was just a
very basic intro, so this one was exciting... it was two pages long!</div>
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He greeted me with
<i>"shalom." </i>and said that he was happy to receive my
letters and photos. He then thanked me for my willingness to sponsor
him. He shared a bit about his family and told me that his mother
works as a domestic worker. (I guess that's like a maid or house
servant?) He told me about the university he goes to and said that he
is studying building techniques and said, "<i>Each morning I
must struggle to ride on the campus bus because public transportation
to campus is not many. It is one of our town cultures." </i>Then
he shared his hobbies with me, which are watching animated movies,
walking around, and hanging out with friends.
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Papi then shared
that this month he is hoping to go to Poe Town, which is a community
about 175 km away from where he lives. They will be commemorating the
50th anniversary of the Holy Spirit pouring down. (Google "Indonesian
revival 1965" like I did... it's very interesting and I'm so
glad he is interested in that sort of thing!)</div>
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He then asked, "<i>May
I call you Sister?" </i>(Awwww!) <i>When is your birthday? What
do you do? How is the culture there?"</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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He also asked for
prayers for his studies, that he'll be able to finish "<i>in the
right time." </i>And he drew this illustration of Psalm 91:11
for me!
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What letters have
you gotten this month? </div>
Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-78378432272844949152015-07-31T13:05:00.000-02:302015-07-31T13:05:11.641-02:30July Joys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fI4w41piGEE4N6huXioqSTbDNCK-d-ixzJ8a07aFgGZ_lXTHCv7jssP-Zlms6h_kJNajIAFqHY5k3FUyCi9EZUDh5fBFJARKufva695322Gtkm3tB6QXBVdhoh_oO0WFioisBCiYUk4/s1600/pizap.com14383551966961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fI4w41piGEE4N6huXioqSTbDNCK-d-ixzJ8a07aFgGZ_lXTHCv7jssP-Zlms6h_kJNajIAFqHY5k3FUyCi9EZUDh5fBFJARKufva695322Gtkm3tB6QXBVdhoh_oO0WFioisBCiYUk4/s320/pizap.com14383551966961.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, I thought
I wasn’t going to get any letters at all this month, since I heard from all of
my Compassion kids last month, but I was very blessed to find a letter from my
little Miriam in my post office box today! I’m glad to have at least one letter
to blog about!<o:p></o:p></div>
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My little
munchkin sent me another cute coloring job and a little drawing. She’s my first
Compassion child to draw for me and I think it’s SO precious! It looks like
letters are going to be coming from her project quite regularly, and the
project staff are making sure that she responds to my letters and questions!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here’s her
letter, which was written on the “My Family” template:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>My siblings from oldest to youngest are <u>Mary.</u>
In my family I spend the most time with <u>my mother.</u> Extended family that
lives with me are <u>grandparents and aunt. </u>My family lives in the <u>rural
area.</u> My food is prepared by <u>my mother. </u>My favorite thing to do with
my family is <u>dining together.</u> </i>(How cute!) <i>My favorite way to
help my family is <u>sweeping the compound.</u> My family’s faith background is
<u>Christian. </u>My family’s health and special needs are <u>education.</u><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><u><br /></u></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Miriam expresses her sincere love to
you. She hopes you are okay back in US. </i>(Oops, better write her a letter about Canada!) <i>She says back in Kenya she is doing well with her family. She thanks
you for the lovely letter you send her. She was happy to know about your
parents and what they do. She asks you to pass her love to them. Miriam says
that she also likes singing. She says that she lives with her parents and her
sister Mary. She thanks you for the picture of your parents. She says she
enjoys going for a trip with her family. Miriam wishes you all the best in what
you do. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "MV Boli"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isn’t
she a little doll? Here’s her lovely drawing and coloring… just my favorite
shade of blue! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "MV Boli"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohQpKOBRDw7Ebn_xmg3JP_i42PcQMNf1Bq5qKGaXWb3sc6g6Zs0_jc6L7tB2CFYWCCC0lFZmXSe31N9u9H17daHMdClKwN6mgu_007mVrxJcoxlNWHD79g0X0CpzumDONHqEydekLjzk/s1600/DSC_8612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohQpKOBRDw7Ebn_xmg3JP_i42PcQMNf1Bq5qKGaXWb3sc6g6Zs0_jc6L7tB2CFYWCCC0lFZmXSe31N9u9H17daHMdClKwN6mgu_007mVrxJcoxlNWHD79g0X0CpzumDONHqEydekLjzk/s400/DSC_8612.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "MV Boli"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-63627637573159561652015-07-05T17:51:00.000-02:302015-07-05T17:51:05.966-02:30How To Live On Your Own (And Survive)<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I’ve been
living on my own for over a year now, I figure I am the perfect person to give
you some tips on how to make the moving-out process a lot easier and less
painful. Trust me, I have the experience. Getting ready to live on your own?
Headed to college or university? Apartment shopping? This one’s for you!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>LIFE IN GENERAL</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DO</span></i>: PAY YOUR
BILLS. I cannot stress how important this is. Use a calendar or an app (I use
Google calendars) to keep track of when you last paid your bills. Companies are
notorious for neglecting to send you bills (and they can also get lost in the
mail) so don’t count on them to notify you when you owe money. Even if they
send you an e-notification, that can get screwed up too. (I’ve had them mess up
my email address before.) Nobody wants their phone/internet service cut off
without warning, so keep track of it all! (Hint: ignoring it won’t make it go
away, it will only get worse.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>DO</i></span>: Build good
credit. This is the thing that will allow you to get a mortgage (or a car)
later on down the road. For example: You need to spend $100 on a vacuum
cleaner. Put it on your Visa, and then call the bank (or go there, whatever)
and pay it off the next day. Even making small purchases and paying them off promptly
shows your credit company that you are trustworthy and that you are responsible
enough to handle a big loan. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>DON’T</i></span>: Go in
debt. My motto is, “Owe no man nothing.” If you can’t afford it, a good tip is,
don’t buy it! I spent a full year with no couch for that reason. I didn’t NEED
a couch, so I waited till I could find a cheap used one instead of going in
debt for something that really isn’t a necessity. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>DO</i></span>: Pay off
debts promptly. Sooner or later, you will have a debt. Whether you decide to
buy a car, fix your car if something goes wrong, get a mortgage on a house, or
you just need to purchase something big like a washing machine, you will eventually
go in debt. Pay it off FAST. If you make only the minimum required payment, you
will live with it hanging over your head. Plus the interest will kill you and
you’ll end up paying like twice as much as you were originally going to. If you
have a $200 debt and the minimum required payment is $18 a month, don’t be
afraid to pay $50 or even $100 at a time if you can afford it. The faster you
can get rid of that debt, even if you have to pinch pennies, means the less you
have to worry about. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>DO</i></span>: Have a
backup plan. Always have money in your bank account. One thing I wish I would
have known when I first moved out, is that unexpected expenses will crop up
everywhere. It’s Murphy’s Law… if something can go wrong, it will. Just when
you think you’re getting ahead in life, you’ll either have a flat tire or
something will break or go missing or whatever. This is where GOOD credit comes
in handy… it’s saved my hide when I had emergency car repairs and a bill that I
didn’t know about until it reached $400. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>DO</i></span>: Save money
where you can. I am the ultimate Scrooge… I hate spending money on ANYTHING.
But being a Scrooge means I’m not constantly broke, which is good. And it means
that when you do splurge on a fast-food meal or a new nail polish or that pair
of jeans you’ve been eyeing, you’ll feel good about yourself because you know
that you don’t have to feel guilty for treating yourself once in a while.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>APARTMENT
LIVING</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>DON’T</i></span>: Expect
your pad to look like something out of Sears catalogue right away. Do expect to
sleep on an air mattress and eat off paper plates for a while… all things
happen in good time. Just be patient.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>DON’T</i></span>: Buy all
new stuff. Go for gently used every time. You can get stuff that’s practically
new for a quarter of the price. Coffee table, kitchen table and chairs, bedside
stands… go for used. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>DO</i></span>: Buy from
people you trust. I’m touchy about couches and mattresses… anything that I’m
going to put my face on and that I can’t immerse in soapy water, I want to be
clean. These are the two items that I’d recommend buying new if you can afford
it… if not, buy from a relative or family friend. At least you’ll know where it
came from. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>DO</i></span>: Look for an
apartment without carpets, for the same reasons as listed above. Floating floor
or hardwood or tile can be cleaned so much more easily, and it doesn’t collect
dirt and dampness and bugs and end up stinking like carpets do. Buy area rugs
if you want soft flooring.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>THE FIRST
NIGHT/WEEK</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So you’re ready
to move in and spend the first night in your new apartment on your own. First,
you’ll want to do some shopping. Pick up toilet paper, tissues, and paper
towels, hand soap, dish soap, and sponges. Also, if you don’t have a vacuum
cleaner, pick up a mop and mop bucket, broom and dustpan. You want to be able
to unpack your stuff without worrying… especially if the apartment wasn’t
cleaned before you moved in.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Make sure you
buy a shower curtain and a toilet plunger. These are essentials.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Bath towels,
facecloths, dish cloths, and dish towels are also a must. And you’ll want to
grab a laundry basket, or designate a bag for this purpose. Also buy laundry
detergent. And dryer sheets. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you don’t
have blinds and you haven’t had time to buy curtains (or make them, if you’re
inclined thataway) a sheet or towel and a few thumbtacks works wonders.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Make sure you
have Drano or Liquid Plumber on hand… clogged sinks are nasty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>KITCHEN DUTY</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m going to
assume you have a fridge and stove, since most apartments have them, so let’s
jump right into what you <i>should </i>stock
your kitchen with. You can use plastic utensils until you get a set of dishes,
and buy paper (not Styrofoam) cups and plates. Styrofoam will melt in the
microwave, and you don’t want that, do you?<br />
<br /></div>
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Unless you’re a
big eater, assume that a lot of stuff will spoil when you’re the only person
eating. I buy a lot of canned fruit, because it’s healthy and keeps forever in
the cupboard. I also buy individual-sized, ready-made salads instead of buying all
the separate ingredients. (Unless you want to eat salad three times a day; in
that case, go to town.)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Regardless of
what you think of canned food, keep at least a few canned soups, stews, tuna or
chicken or ham flakes, noodle soup cups, instant oatmeal packets, and Kraft
dinner cups in the cupboards for those times that you’re too
tired/sick/broke/lazy to cook. Microwave dinners aren’t all that healthy and
they’re packed with salt, but they’re better than starving. Do make an effort
to eat healthy though!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Keep wieners
and hot dog buns, hamburger patties and hamburger buns, chicken
fingers/nuggets, pierogis, English muffins and pepperoni (for mini pizzas) and
maybe chicken wings or the like, in your freezer. They make great emergency
meals. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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For starters,
you’ll want to stock your fridge with drinks and some condiments. Great
starters are ketchup, mustard, relish, mayonnaise (if you like it on sandwiches
or burgers), plum sauce (if you like it on chicken fingers), soya sauce (this
is good on rice), etc. This will vary according to taste, of course.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehx9_oJ0OK9zDKwfEMxAISQIgfoK4WSSFIQYSJgkzUqhrUeaDRZxVmv_UL40BlzUIdYh2QL_AXWKG2M66otYjkf2B1qImhTMCyqqllrQ-bkaN2KmkZ4TF3BGaR_XyNyRHo6xJpCYDU2M/s1600/d19555169dcaded376a70eb2a158d660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehx9_oJ0OK9zDKwfEMxAISQIgfoK4WSSFIQYSJgkzUqhrUeaDRZxVmv_UL40BlzUIdYh2QL_AXWKG2M66otYjkf2B1qImhTMCyqqllrQ-bkaN2KmkZ4TF3BGaR_XyNyRHo6xJpCYDU2M/s320/d19555169dcaded376a70eb2a158d660.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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Also make sure
you have salt and pepper on hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I buy butter in
sticks (4 to a box) because I find it spoils too quickly otherwise. Store your
butter in the freeze and just thaw a stick or however much you need for a week.
You can buy a block of butter and cut it up and separate it into containers,
but why go through all that trouble?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other fridge
staples for me are cheese, eggs, and milk.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cupboard
staples may include bread, cereal, rice, crackers, and sandwich spreads like
peanut butter, honey, molasses, or whatever you prefer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>NOTE</b> that the
above lists will vary according to taste and preference; this is just to give
you some ideas of what you may not want to be without.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Try to have at
least a toaster and kettle on hand. Get a microwave as soon as you can. And please,
PLEASE buy a slow cooker. It will change your life. Seriously. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
For dirty
dishes: If you have a dishwasher, give yourself a high five, a pat on the back,
do a dance, get down on your knees, say an Our Father, whatever. You just got
lucky.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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If you have a
double sink: do all of the above. You’re still lucky.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have a
single sink, buy a dish drying rack and drying mat. You can either run hot water
over your soapy dishes to rinse them (although this will fill up your sink
quickly) or you can buy a dish pan and fill it with clean hot water to rinse
your dishes. Speaking of dishes, make sure that any dirty dishes containing
cheese, egg, or oatmeal, are put in the sink to soak, or else they will dry
like cement. I kid you not, these are the worst three food items to clean.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, NEVER put
anything metal, like forks or knives, in the microwave. Just in case you didn’t
know ;) And also, never use steel wool or any kind of harsh scrubber on a
non-stick pan. Also in case you didn’t know. ;)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just a tip, I
use rubber gloves to wash dishes. Why dry out your skin, ruin your manicure,
and touch icky bits of food when you don’t have to?<o:p></o:p><br />
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By all means,
this isn’t a complete list, but I think it covers some of the more important
areas! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-24433577744041233442015-07-02T16:01:00.000-02:302015-07-02T16:01:12.347-02:30June Joys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJ6b2TmfXb_BvnZlfMYdKAOkWfLh_6mxmtlBQg8TIvAjtPiIgMea3IQlMqkqUqjguVh5wL_5CWL3k4rJhWcCYwgbJtynyjW90eDJDPL5XlvqWTHdHRX2MWqo-XHuLYjVKuIhxQb1i-3c/s1600/pizap.com14358601439111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJ6b2TmfXb_BvnZlfMYdKAOkWfLh_6mxmtlBQg8TIvAjtPiIgMea3IQlMqkqUqjguVh5wL_5CWL3k4rJhWcCYwgbJtynyjW90eDJDPL5XlvqWTHdHRX2MWqo-XHuLYjVKuIhxQb1i-3c/s320/pizap.com14358601439111.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
June was a
CRAZY letter month for me… I heard from five of my six kids! (Which means that
July is going to be very boring letter-wise, unless I get an unexpected
surprise or two!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First up was a
letter from my dear brother Mbula in Kenya! </div>
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He greets me with “<i>Hi! my sister</i>.” (I love it when he calls
me sister, which happens in every letter. I feel so close to this guy you
wouldn’t believe.) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Mbula received
the soccer card, world map, and other items I sent for his birthday and <i>“greatly appreciated” </i>them. He says he’s
doing well with his studies and is getting good scores. He hopes I am praying
for him to do well. He then shared, “<i>I
also wish to give thanks from my relatives who have really appreciated your
support very much. I hope that you will appreciate them.</i>” Mbula also said
they are doing well in church, and he hopes I will keep on praying for them as
they continue serving the Lord. He is also praying for me as I continue my
activities. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Next up was my
first letter from Papi in Indonesia! Papi also celebrated his 20th birthday this month!<o:p></o:p></div>
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It was written
before I sponsored him, so it wasn’t really personal, but I did learn some
interesting information about him. He lives with his mother since his father is
deceased, and he has two older siblings. (I wasn’t sure from the names whether
boys or girls.) His favorite food is fried rice, his favorite color is green,
his favorite Bible story is Daniel, his hobby is reading, he lives in a city
(My first urban child! Yay!), and he seems to have several best friends! He
thanked me for sponsoring him and said he prays for God to be with me in
everything. He also asks for prayer for his studies, family and friends.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My third letter
was from my “chatterbox” Ada in Rwanda! She always has something interesting to
say in her letters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She begins her
letter with <i>“Your child Basomingera Ada,
I am greeting you and I wish you peace of Jesus Christ.” </i>She thanks me for
being a good parent and says, “<i>I was
happy for the good things you always do to me.” </i>(heart melt!) Then she
adds, “<i>I believe to have a better
future.” </i>(THIS is why I sponsor!) She shared her school grades with me and
said she had a happy Easter with friends and family. They had food and drinks.
She then tells me she likes to study mathematics (good girl!) and she is happy
to receive my letters supporting her life. She thanked me for sharing Philippians
1:3-4 with her and said, “<i>We pray for you
to be blessed and to drive well the lorry.” </i>(A reference to a truck-driving
job I told her I was hoping to get.) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Just two days
later, I got a very special letter; my first from my cute 3-year-old Miriam in
Kenya! It was written by a project worker on the “My School” template.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ll just share
the whole letter with you, since it’s pretty adorable! “<i>I am in <u>nursery school</u>. My school is <u>one kilometer</u> from
my house. The name of my school is <u>E------ Primary school</u>. I go to
school by <u>foot</u>. The color of my school uniform is <u>green and yellow</u>.
My teachers name is <u>Miss Ndumu</u>. My best friend in school is <u>Matheka
K------.</u> The games we play in school are <u>netball and volleyball</u>. The
other activities in school this term are <u>ball games</u>. What I like best
about my school is <u>playing football</u>. My favorite subject in school is <u>numberwork</u>.
After school I like to <u>take care of baby</u>.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Miriam salutes you with love. She was
happy to meet you and hear from you. Miriam says you are a special friend in
her family. She says she likes rice and beef as her favorite food. She has not
seen ocean and has not eaten fish any day. Miriam informs you that her favorite
Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5. She says it is not so much windy in Kenya and especially
where she lives. She thanks you for encouraging her through Psalms 145:9, 'God
is good always.' She wishes you a wonderful Easter and blessings.</i>"<o:p></o:p></div>
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She also
colored me this adorable picture:<o:p></o:p></div>
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And drew me
these pencil scribbles!<o:p></o:p></div>
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My last letter
of the month was from Isimbi in Rwanda. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Isimbi began
her letter by greeting me in the Name of Jesus and asking me if I’m doing well.
Her mother, grandmother, and brother are doing well “<i>and they love you</i>.” She told me how her studies are going and what
position she got in school, and asked, “<i>Are
you getting rain over there in your country?”</i> She then asked me to continue
praying for her to pass well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s unusual
for me to hear from all of my Compassion kids in one month! Have any of you
ever had that happen? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-20161642770190017392015-06-20T17:15:00.000-02:302015-06-20T17:15:54.523-02:30A Day with My Heavenly Daddy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKd3lPriwIb5sX3uNpRHY3D4QIltXTPnnlSupuwF_w-khxH7bGPg8iCQeJO_LJzOFsvEblKJMZFZZ34uQpCX6pxqgvQIqr242EIcf0oAg10PESMWzRSEK2MGCmu1janawOLnTqdqttZk/s1600/the-master-s-touch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKd3lPriwIb5sX3uNpRHY3D4QIltXTPnnlSupuwF_w-khxH7bGPg8iCQeJO_LJzOFsvEblKJMZFZZ34uQpCX6pxqgvQIqr242EIcf0oAg10PESMWzRSEK2MGCmu1janawOLnTqdqttZk/s400/the-master-s-touch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>What would the ideal day with your
Heavenly Father look like?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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As soon as I
read this month’s <a href="http://compassionbloggers.com/" target="_blank">Compassion Bloggers</a> prompt, I started to chuckle. I’ve spend
some interesting days in the presence of God, but there’s one memory in
particular that takes the cake… or perhaps I should say, the cheese!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let me explain:<o:p></o:p></div>
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A few years
ago, I spent three weeks as a live-in house/pet/plant-sitter for neighbors who
were gone on vacation. One night, I was heading to bed after an evening of
movies, when I decided to stop in the kitchen for a snack. As I nosed around
the kitchen, I was having a conversation with the Lord about certain things. It
was late, I was tired, and as a result, our conversation waxed sillier and
sillier. Our topic was, interestingly enough, the same as listed above: what I
would do if God came down to earth to spend a day. I maintained that I would
love to hear Him play the old upright piano in the corner, as of course, He is
the Master Musician!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was eating a
packet of string cheese when, for no reason I could think of other than I was
over-tired, I held the package towards the ceiling and offered, “Want a bite?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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That second, I
got a mental image of the Lord pretending to chomp a bite, rather like a parent
who pretends to gobble up a bite of food in order to encourage their small
child to eat. Something along the lines of, “Nom nom nom!!!” <o:p></o:p></div>
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That did it… I
was gone, laughing so hard it’s a wonder the neighbors didn’t hear me. I’m sure
a few would have thought me to be irreverent, but I’ve always maintained that
the Lord was a Man and spent 30 years working as a Carpenter, and I’m sure He
didn’t spend all that time floating along on a cloud with a halo.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Back to the
writing prompt… I’ve spent a lot of time imagining what a day with the Lord
would look like. There’s one thing in particular that’s very close to my heart,
that I’ll share with you today.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I was
younger, my family and I watched an Easter play on television. The actor
playing Christ had the longest, thickest, smoothest, silkiest reddish-gold hair
that I’d ever seen (on a man, anyways!) Being a girl with very long, thick red
hair myself, I imagined that if Jesus did have hair like that, and if He ever
paid a visit to my room, I would request the honor of brushing his hair. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There’s
something special about doing one’s hair, or having one’s hair done. I remember
one of my aunts playing with and plaiting my hair; it’s something that you only
allow someone who’s very close to you to do. It’s a very simple and yet intimate gesture. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve always had
a deep respect for daddies who take the time to learn to comb and style their
daughter's hair (or son’s, as the case may be). Being as God is the Ultimate
Daddy, I had/have a perfect and complete confidence that He could easily brush
my hair without hitting any knots or snarls. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Let Mary Magdalene
pour out her precious ointment… my perfect day would consist of my Father and
I, brushing each other’s hair. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858531060422596451.post-89431985752146257922015-06-13T12:20:00.001-02:302015-06-13T12:20:53.853-02:30May Memories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbm659IVyQ_vzSPjo_4105UWQHNOzKX20m5uwR6DrjZngGhfiKktallYeln0I7qCnA5DV9CgzpUbc2uYpCCLw2l0b1SqMlIRpN0zx6Mkhkji63rNIyakdLlVHcdjHd2WXPAAlAMuNM4A/s1600/pizap.com14342058899261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbm659IVyQ_vzSPjo_4105UWQHNOzKX20m5uwR6DrjZngGhfiKktallYeln0I7qCnA5DV9CgzpUbc2uYpCCLw2l0b1SqMlIRpN0zx6Mkhkji63rNIyakdLlVHcdjHd2WXPAAlAMuNM4A/s320/pizap.com14342058899261.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Okay, so this
post is late… <i>way </i>late. However, here
it is… finally!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I received just one letter in the month of May, from my precious Isimbi in Rwanda.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She sent her
warm greetings to me in Jesus’ Name and asked how I was doing. Her family is
all doing fine, and she hopes that we’re all well too. She’s in the middle of
end of term one exams, and she says, “<i>I
hope to pass them well because I read hard, and I know that you always pray for
me.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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She then wishes
me the best, and said, “<i>Happy Easter.”</i>
She also thanked me for my letters and said she was so happy to hear from me,
adding, “<i>The letter was so encouraging.”</i>
She then thanked me and ended by saying, <i>“May
God bless you!” </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m so glad
that she finds my letters encouraging; that’s the whole reason I write to my
kiddos! </div>
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Isimbi will be turning 12 in August, and I can’t believe how fast time
flies!<o:p></o:p></div>
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On another
note, I have letters on the way from Miriam (first letter), Ada, Papi (first
letter), and Isimbi (again)! So June should be a good month for letters… if
they ever get here! (Not impatient at all, haha)<o:p></o:p></div>
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What letters
have you received lately?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Uwimana Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09595886995873947161noreply@blogger.com2