Letters from Sponsors and Friends

Vicki, Esther and Steve went to Africa to check on the orphans and orphanages.  Vicki wrote a journal of her experiences.

Below are parts of a few of the letters that have been written to Hearth to Hearth Ministries, and printed in Spotlight on Orphans newsletters (SOON).  Toward the back of most Spotlight on Orphans newsletters is a page where they print letters like this.  Click on these links to find more Spotlight on Orphans newsletters or subscribe to Spotlight on Orphans newsletters.

Yes, I would love to have a CD. Just last Sunday I declared February 4th, 2007 to be the “Big Rapids Parish of the United Methodist Church Mission Sunday.” I have challenged the people and groups of our three churches to spend the next 3-1/2 months raising funds for missions—and making the contributions during special services on that day. The money will be divided 50-50—half to local charities and half to Hearth to Hearth Ministries. I don’t know just how much that might be, as we have not done this before (all three churches total 112 members, so it is not a huge group).  I will use the CD along the way to inspire the people to continue to work hard, helping God with His work… If anyone who is part of the organization would like to be here on Feb 4th, to receive the offering, that would be great as well (although not necessary). February is a tough month for travel, so I wouldn’t expect that.  God is working! Michigan

I have not had an opportunity to share the PowerPoint yet—I plan to do so in January (my next chance) and I believe that may be a good time because at the beginning of the year people are often in the mode of starting a new “project” or getting involved in something new. They are not distracted by the holidays. I will let you know how it goes. California

Enclosed is $125 for the purchase of a bicycle for Pastor Mukhooli. West Virginia

How great that we can now write to our kids! [At Good Samaritan Home.] I have my little girl, Ivonne, proudly framed on the dining room table and pray over her whenever I can. I look forward to sending her a letter and maybe a couple pictures so perhaps she can feel as though someone out there cares. Michigan

Enclosed are two checks for Janet Wakooli. For Janet and her children is our regular sponsorship donation. The other check is a Christmas gift for Janet and her family. Please ask the pastor to use it for something special they really need and would enjoy.  We used to send gift packages. Last year I realized that postage and duty fees often cost more than the gift! We thought a gift of money would be a better idea. God bless you for your special ministry. Colorado

Enclosed is my money order for November for my son Shem in Uganda. Please let me know if there is any particular need for Shem at this time. I realize duty and shipping costs are high so if there is anything else I could or should do, please let me know. Thank you so  much for all your efforts in behalf of the orphans. Pennsylvania

After reading Vicki’s articles in the latest Spotlight on Orphans, I am sending the enclosed donation to be used for buying more food or clothing for the orphans.  The situation in Africa is so sad.  I’m praying many more people in America will want to help. North Carolina

I have been reading your last magazine and was wondering how you get money to these people in light of the problems sending money. Just wondering.  I may use this as a project for my school instead of the one that we have been doing. Alabama

[We have not had problems wiring money directly into bank accounts. We are currently insisting all our projects open one as we have, indeed, experienced problems in sending by other means. Editor]

I do enjoy Spotlight on Orphans. I always read it through the first day I receive it. My heart goes out to Mother Teresa that she has taken in so many children. She surely needs a new place where she can keep all the children. I’m going to talk to our son and see if he will send a large donation to help build some new buildings… I’m sending $25 to help print Spotlight on Orphans.… What a wonderful day it will be when Jesus comes to put an end to all this suffering. Tennessee

I am enclosing a check to be used for the Good Samaritan Home. I would like to see the money go for more mattresses or clothes or blankets for the children. Michigan

Please use this $50 to purchase mosquito netting for the widows and orphans.  It was mentioned in the last issue of SOON. West Virginia

A little to help on the general finances of sending out Spotlight on Orphans.  After Oct. 28, we will be back in Tennessee. Send any correspondence there. I don’t want to miss any issues of Spotlight! Tennessee

I got a chance to visit my family and they are doing well apart from my sister, a widow who has been sick for some weeks. Be praying for her. It is true I do lack money for the email, but God is always good to us all. I feel proud to be one child getting food as well as shelter, more than anything else. This is why I always dream of being one of the sponsors in the near future, God willing. I believe strongly that He will fulfill my desires. Kenya

I finally got around to bringing my Madonna dolls down from the attic and have them packaged ready to send.  I just received a letter from Madonna.  I’d asked her for a list of things I might find at the upcoming Habitat for Humanity yard sale, and she provided this list. I have a package of lightweight yarn ready to send (this is what she uses to make the faces for her dolls), and I have a package of heavy upholstery thread on its way from a friend of mine, too. I plan to buy some large needles and send to her, as well. In the meantime, I’ll take her list with me next week when I go over to help with the sale. I can hardly wait to get over there. Idaho

[It is good to know that Madonna is beginning to receive materials, and other things, to replace what was lost. Editor]

We, me and my wife, make the work of seeking sponsors in Poland. In fact, my wife Kristina is your coworker in Poland. We have a family who wants adopt child or children. Please send to my address proposals of children to sponsor. Maybe from Hope for Children, because we have there our children, or from other orphanage. We also print in our monthly, Present Truth materials printed in Spotlight on Orphans. God bless you and your sisters from Hearth to Hearth Ministries. Poland

I read your column in the food section all the time. How about talking to me about doing a feature for the Faith section on your work in Africa? We could sit down and talk about it, and include  the fact that you’re willing to talk to groups. We could decide what would make a good photograph to go with it. There’s no rush, we could get together at your convenience. Let me know. Michigan

[Edna Shaffer has a regular column, called “Grandma’s Kitchen,” in two Michigan newspapers. One of them, the Record Eagle, is suggesting an article about our work in Africa. Editor]

Owing to God, all our family can live and work in Denmark. For last five years we had no job in Poland, but God was caring about us and now we have job and flat. Therefore, we want give joy to others, especially those children on whose face we cannot see smile so often.  We have decided, that means Piotr, my daughters Gosia (16), Kasia (19) and son Krzysztof (21), to sponsor one child.  Each of us have job and own money. I have also two younger children, Magda (14) and David (8). My wife, Jadwiga, for now isn’t so convinced to this idea of sponsoring, but I believe that in the fullness of time she will be convinced how much joys and God’s grace she can get because of that.  We would like to sponsor child between 9 and 13 years old and it can be girl or boy, estimate by yourself which one of those orphans are in the biggest need. We are waiting to hear from you and thank you for this possibility to share with this what God gives us.  (From Kasia: It was me who wrote this letter in English. I know that my English isn’t so good and therefore forgive me please if I made some mistakes.) Denmark

[Kasia’s English is much better than our Polish (or any other language than our own for most of us). We appreciate her letter! Editor]

Thank you for the list of projects for our Sabbath School to consider for this quarter’s gift. We prayerfully considered each one and would have loved to have given to all of them but, considering the urgency of the need at Good Samaritan Home, we decided that this is where God wants our effort to go this time. Please use our funds for clothing, bedding, and other items that they might need to sustain the children while sponsors are being sought. Michigan

After reading the latest Spotlight on Orphans I am impressed to send you the enclosed donation to be used on any project in Uganda you feel is most needed.  I’m sure Logan found many needs as he visited the widows and their families in the bush. May the Lord continue to bless all of you as you work to relieve the suffering in Uganda. North Carolina

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