Your Letters are Prized Possessions

Your Letters are Prized Possessions

Think about your most cherished item — perhaps a family heirloom, a beloved photograph or a special gift from a loved one. For many children in our program, their most prized possessions are the notes they receive from their sponsors.

Children go to great lengths to care for and preserve their notes, and they often return to them when they need encouragement. Their thoughtful preservation reminds us as sponsors of the profound and lasting impact our letters can have.

A Sponsor Shares Her Surprising Discovery

A few years ago, I had the privilege of meeting my sponsor child, Jeison, while serving at his local church in a remote Ecuadorian village. Our first meeting was full of hugs and laughter, but one small memory stands out among the rest.

Amidst profound poverty, dirt floors and cramped living conditions, Jeison eagerly showed me each note that I’d sent him. He cherished them as tokens of hope and meticulously preserved them with a tenderness that defied the harshness of his reality.

Tears welled in my eyes as he proudly showed me the perfectly kept and unwrinkled messages that he’d reread many times. He shared with us that the letters served not only as encouragement but also as a beacon of unwavering support and a reminder of his God-given potential beyond the constraints of poverty.

Three More Stories of Kids Preserving Letters That Will Touch Your Heart

Since that day with Jeison, I’ve learned that many children care for their notes in similar ways. In Sri Lanka, 10-year-old Wenuki treasures her sponsor’s messages by storing them safely inside a bright orange case. To her, these messages are more than words on a page — they are treasures that symbolize the deep friendship she shares with her sponsor.

Imagine when Wenuki’s sponsor comes to her mind. She hurries to the small wooden drawer in her one-bedroom home and retrieves the bright orange file case and rereads these cherished messages, finding comfort in the reminder that she’s loved and cared for despite the distance between them.

After each reading, she carefully returns the notes to their envelopes, ensuring they remain protected from damage.

In Peru, Mathias stores all his notes in a small folder in the living room. His mother has found him re-reading them several times, which continually reassures her that he’s comforted by knowing his sponsor prays for him.

Similarly, Holman and his brother Joseph are both sponsored by one family whose notes they keep in a plastic bag on the top shelf of their wardrobe in Nicaragua. Holman frequently revisits his sponsor’s words of encouragement and finds comfort in the Bible verses sent to him, seeing them as sweet reminders that "God is with us, and he works miracles when we least expect it."

Your Words Mean More Than You Know

The thoughtful and intentional care children show for notes is a testament to the power and impact of our words as sponsors. After witnessing the care Jeison takes for his notes, I've become eager to write him regularly. I now understand that my words carry weight, serving as encouragement and hope for him.

Writing regularly strengthens our bond and allows us to celebrate milestones together. I'm confident that your sponsored child adores your words and cares for your messages in a unique and intentional way too.

Your words make a profound impact, so in your next letter, consider sharing personal stories and showing curiosity about their life to deepen this meaningful connection. They will feel your support and love across the miles.