Mail Call from Thailand

Love this time of year when all the letters come shuffling in. Been trying to keep up with getting the posts up! This letter was received from Chatchai. It was dated September 30, 2011 and was received December 16, 2011.

Dear Maria,

Hello! I am Sumalee Chermue. I write on behalf of Chatchai because he is not able to write by himself yet. How are you and your family? His family and he are doing well. It is reaping corn season in his hometown and it is the rainy season also. The rain is making the reaping corn miserable. There is earth collapsing also then it is very hard to go to anywhere now. How is the weather in your country? How is your country now? At the project, he studies in the program, sings songs, listens to Jesus' story, and cleans our project's area. He is taking exam at his school now. He will take a break from school soon. He said that he will help his parents to do reaping corn in this vacation. Please pray for Thailand because many places in Thailand have been flooded now. There is earth collapsing in many places also. Finally, he said that he wishes you and your family will be happy always. God Bless you.

Love and regards,

The project's volunteer for Chatchai

Please join me in praying for Thailand and it's weather conditions - even though time has passed since the letter was written. That's the nice thing about our God, time is not a limit for Him! 

Mail Call from Dominican Republic

I apologize for being so behind on blog posts! Life has been crazy as we are wrapping up 2011 at school before winter break. It was so nice to come home from a busy day at school to a letter from my dear Yamairy from Dominican Republic. It was dated October 10, 2011 and was received on December 12, 2011.

Hello Dear Maria,

May God bless you and your family much; her family is well thank God. She is taking a lot of class in school and attends to church on Sundays. The child thanks you for the love that you give her and for the letters, stickers, and drawings. She asks, "What are you going to do this Christmas? The child asks you to pray for her family. 

Written by  Maxima (tutor) for Yamairy

Yamairy also drew me a picture of her family. I hope that next time I will see a picture with more smiles!

Christian Reading

As a first grade teacher, I am frequently emphasizing the importance of reading. For me personally, I find it crucial to read everyday... particularly spending time in the Word of God. This is something I strive to do more of everyday. I also encourage everyone - including my sponsor children - to get into God's word daily.


I took the liberty of looking up the word "read" and "reading in Merriam-Webster's dictionary. Here are a few take-away points I took from the definition.

read (verb) 

1. to receive or take in the sense of
2. to learn from what one has seen or found
3. to become acquainted with or look over the contents of

If there is anything I strive to read EVERYDAY, is the bible. Getting into devotional time with Him is ever so important in keeping in my commitment to the relationship I share with Christ.

In addition to the bible, what are your favorite Christian "reads?" I am listing 7 books (7 because the bible dictates it as "completeness and perfection"). These books are in no particular order. These are among my favorite reads these past 3 years.

1. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

 

2. The Shack by William Paul Young

3. Crazy Love by Francis Chan

4. The Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro

5. Unshaken by Dan Woolley

6. Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge

7. The Bondage Breaker by Neil T. Anderson

I encourage you to share your 7 favorite Christian reads by posting your comments! This might spark some ideas for great Christmas gifts! What have you read and what are your thoughts on the book?