But first, I'd like to ask you to be praying for Kenya and Ethiopia.
We received an email from Compassion that shared the following:
Recently, heavy rain in Kenya has caused rivers to swell and flood the surrounding areas. As you know, Kenya is currently experiencing a drought. While rain is desperately needed, this large amount of rain over a short period of time has led to flooding since the water was unable to soak into the dry ground, thus overflowing drainage channels and rivers.
As a result of the flooding, many families have been forced to leave their homes to find safety. Over 130 Compassion children have had their homes damaged or destroyed as a result of the flooding. Some are staying with relatives and others are taking refuge in converted shipping containers.
Compassion staff in Kenya is working diligently to provide immediate aid to the children and families who have been affected. If the flooding has impacted your sponsored children, you will receive follow-up communication from us shortly.
This is a difficult time for many of the children and families we serve in Kenya. Would you please join us in prayer for all who have been impacted? Pray for:
The families who have been displaced. Pray that God will place His hand of protection over them, and that they would be safe from flooding.
Those who have had their homes damaged or destroyed. Pray that they would see God’s miraculous provision in their lives as they rebuild.
The Compassion staff and our church partners in Kenya. Pray that God would give them strength and endurance as they care for the families who have been impacted.
Thank you for caring for the precious children of Kenya, especially in times like these. May God bless you beyond measure for your faithfulness to His children.
Please also be praying for Ethiopia.
In case you hadn't heard, there was a landslide in a dump where many people lived... The Landslide in Ethiopia That Will Never Be Forgotten.
I recommend checking Compassion Australia's Crisis Reports page for updated info.
Now to the fun stories! Here are some great posts for envisioning you in your letter writing...
How to Encourage A+ Excellence in Your Letters includes a great list of letter writing prompts:
1. How long does it take you to get to school?
2. What is your school like?
3. What grade are you in this year?
4. What makes you excited to learn?
5. What skills are you learning?
6. Do you think school is easy or hard? Why?
7. Do you enjoy working in groups or do you like to work alone?
8. What subject do you like the most? Why?
9. What are your dreams for the future?
10. If you could be anything in the world, what would you be?
And 5 Biblical Truths Every Child in Poverty Needs to Hear can also give some great ideas for your letter writing, and also had this very encouraging video:
And finally, I wanted to share some fun stories about Compassion children and staff!
Tsehaywota Taddesse: How Shepherding Prepared Me for Leadership shares the amazing story of the Compassion Ethiopia Country Director; about how he grew up and how he is leading kids today!
And in How does sponsorship help kids emotionally, you can read about the impact of Compassion project tutors in the lives of our kids as it shares the specific story of Junior in Nicaragua.
What Is Not Visible: A Genocide Survivor's Redemptive Journey shares an amazing testimony from Rwanda...
There are two beautiful stories of older women in Kenya caring for children! The baby in the bushes shares the story of an older Maasai woman who rescues a baby and raises him herself!
And A Story Changed shares the story of a grandmother and her grandchild.
And finally, Compassion Canada shares 14 photos that celebrate the beautiful and diverse cultures of the world...these are absolutely beautiful and you need to go check out all the photos!
All photos taken from Compassion International or Compassion Canada.
