Little things that bring us joy | World Vision

Last night, as I was walking by our refrigerator, I happened to glance up at all of the pictures on it.  Two on the top corner caught my eye.  They're pictures of our sponsored child, Ali.  We sponsor him through World Vision.  [This is not a paid post btw...it's just from the heart ;) ]  We help sponsor Ali for $35 US dollars each month, which allows him to attend school, receive school supplies, & have access to foods that are nutritious.  Our money also helps provide clean drinking water in his village as well as health care & education about HIV which is rampant in his country.  When we started sponsoring him, he was nine and couldn't even draw the number 1.  Now he is 12 years old, in school, and is able to count from 1-50.  We are so proud of him!    

When I was looking at his pictures last night, I realized that it had been a month or two since we had written to him.  So this morning I promptly went on the World Vision website & sent him an email. (Isn't it cool that you can do that!!)  Now, he won't get the email directly, as he lives in a small community in a small country in Africa. BUT...that email will be sent to their headquarters, printed out, translated & delivered to him by one of the workers.  It goes a little something like this:

Let me just tell you...each time we do this, we fall more & more in love with this little boy!  It is so rewarding to hear from him!  And the letters we write to him are so simple.  Here's what I wrote him today for example: 

Hi Ali!!

We hope this email finds you doing well :)

I looked at your picture just last night & realized how long it has been

since we've written to you.  We received your last letter in the mail, and

boy were we thrilled!! We always love hearing from you.  And I must say, your

drawings are getting better & better each time you write to us.  I'm hoping

that we can send you another package soon.  It was exciting to hear that you

are back in school.  I know it is hard for you, but we will keep praying that

the Lord will bless your efforts & allow you to understand well what you are

learning.  We are so excited that you're learning all about your home,

community and country.  And you are counting 1-50!  We are very proud!!

You mentioned that you are playing ball games at school with your friends.  I

know you are having so much fun.  We love to play ball games here too.

Cameron & I love to play a game we call softball.  It is similar to baseball.

 During the summer (which is almost here in the U.S.) we play in the  evenings

with people in our community.  We will get together & play several nights a

week...it's lots of fun!  What kind of ball games are you playing at school?

It is getting warmer here.  We are almost in our summer season, so the days

are long.  Cameron works long hours with his family, building houses for

people.  How is the weather in your community now?

We will send another fun package soon!

Please remind your family that we  love them & are praying for each of you!

Hugs & we hope to hear from you soon.

Love always,

Cameron & Carrie Gilliam 

I mean, really...something so simple, but it means the world to him.  And when we hear back from him asking us to pray for him so he can learn in school...it makes my heart melt!  It truly brings joy to our hearts! 

If you've ever thought about sponsoring a child & haven't yet done it, I would encourage you to jump at the next opportunity.  I cannot tell you how much fun it has been for us to connect with a child on the other side of the globe and watch him grow.  We have been so happy with World Vision & would recommend them to anyone! 

We're looking forward to the next time we hear back from our little friend :) 

"But grow in the grace & knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen"  2 Peter 3:17