Pleased To Meet You: Isimbi

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!

Name: Isimbi

Age: 14

Birthday: August 8

Country: Rwanda

Isimbi's very first Compassion photo at age 7!

OUR RELATIONSHIP: 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!

Isimbi's second Compassion photo; 9 years old

ABOUT ISIMBI: 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.

EXTRA PHOTOS: 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.

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!

LETTER EXCERPTS:

"I thank God you choosed me among all the other people."

"Thank you so much for the letter you sent me and the birthday card. Thank you for caring."

"Thank you for being a good parent to me and may God bless you."

"Send our best regards to your complete family and we love you all so much!"

"I like funny things."

"When will you come to visit me?"

"My brother and my grandmother love you so much, and so do 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."

"Are you doing well? I believe that you are also doing fine and the family. We are in holidays and planting sorghum and beans."

Isimbi's third Compassion photo, age 10

"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 would like to thank you for having sent your friend to see me, I was indeed very touched and happy."

"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 thank you for the letters you sent to me, they pleased me very much, they contain beautiful photos and nice stickers."

"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 loved the calendar you sent me."

"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 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."

"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 thank you for the way you take care of me and may God bless you."

"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.

Isimbi's most recent photo, age 12

Letters From The Newest Three

What is it they say about the best of intentions?

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 WILL try to do better in the future!

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!

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!

In his most recent letter, he says:

"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.

Elijah also drew me this great picture of a ball, house, and tree!

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!

This letter was on the "What I Like Best" template. She says:

What I like to do best with my family is: I sweep the house, fetch water and wash dishes.

What I like to do best with my friends is: Fetching water and playing skipping rope.

What I like best about the project is: Food, prayers and singing.

The teacher I like best in school is: Teacher D. because she loves me and teaches well.

The place I like best to visit is: The United States of America.

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 had told her about eating turkey at Christmas, and asked if they have turkeys in Uganda.) 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 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.) You did a great work to award me with special certificate. (A "good job for showing love to others" award.) You are the best. Thanks I love you.

Gifty also drew this picture for me, labeled, "This is me wearing my best outfit."

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.

Dear: Hannah

Thank you message for sponsor: I'm thanking you for your sponsorship. God richly bless you and your family.

Child's new experiences at project/home/school/community, etc: 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.

Child's response to sponsor's questions: 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.

Prayer request from child: I want you to pray for me to understand whatever they teach me in my class and project too.

Prayer for my sponsor: I pray that God should give you the understanding and the knowledge to understand whatever you are doing.

Memory Verse: Psalm 103. Praise the Lord, my soul! All my being, praise his holy name!

And Jessica drew this beautiful flower for me!

I'm so thankful to be hearing from my precious children!