A Letter from Lomkhosi

I sometimes feel like the Grim Reaper, using this blog as the rickety soapbox from which I can remind everyone of famine, drought, AIDs, and the heartbreaking vulnerability of our family in Mhlosheni. But there's very often good news out of Swaziland. It comes personally addressed and bearing a "Par Avion" airmail stamp.

Last month we received a letter from Lomkhosi, our sponsored child in Mhlosheni. (If you never read about the day I met Lomkhosi on a bright Mhlosheni hilltop -- and burned my bald head in the process -- you can look at this post: The Teddy Bear Sermon. )

The letter had a powerful effect on the family. In the thin paper and block letters we had a tangible link to the young girl I met in Swaziland last November, back to Georgia's teddy bear and back to the reason we still believe in Side By Side.

Here it is:

[Lomkhosi writes] Dear Thelanders -- I greet you and the family. I am happy you give me money. I buy my clothes.

[Her Aunt writes] Lomkhosi is trying to express her joyful and thankful heart about the money we received from you. [We made an amazingly tiny Gift Notification through World Vision -- MT] It is a very great pleasure to thank you very much. The money came while we were in great need and it came unexpected but at the right time. We cannit find the right word to thanks you about the gift.

We were confused but because of you we were able to buy school track suit, uniform, jersey, socks, school tie, jacket. This wil help her in this winter because it is already started, it is very cold. We also bought some groceries for the famiy. Her aunt, Mndzebele Lomkhosi.

We're amazed at how far so little can go when it finds its way to the right place. Our kids (Braden, Kaelly and Georgia) are learning Side By Side works, World Vision Works, and our faith can be world-healing when we think beyond ourselves.

Let's see and hear about our faith in action! If anyone at CRCC has other letters from their sponsored kids they'd like to post here, please send me an email at michael@thelander.net.

Thanks and Amen.