I have been hearing from people that one of their biggest obstacles with writing to their sponsor children is that they don't know what to say. So I thought I'd give you some ideas.
- Your Family
- Your pets
- God and how he's working in your life
- Special events that your going to, or have been at (weddings, birthdays, etc.)
- School (are you taking a class? Are your children still in school?)
- How much you love them, and your prayers for them
- The weather (especially in winter!)
- Positive things that you learn about their country
- Your devotions
- Sports (ex. hockey, curling, etc.sports that they probably don't play out there)
- Ask them to pray for you
- Offer to pray for them if they have a special request
- You could also get each of your kids to write a line or 2 (get creative! ex: Susie says: "Hey, I love you lots and your in my prayers! I have a big baseball game coming up, please pray for me!" Mark says: etc.) That's just an idea, but it's a way to involve the whole family.
Most organizations have a way for you to email your child. Check it out. It makes it a lot easier to send a letter to them.
It's funny how we complicate everything. Our letters can be so simple, but we make it seem like it's rocket science. You could write a Bible verse, I LOVE YOU, and that your praying for them, sign your name and that would be enough. You just need to connect with them. Once you get your letter in return from them, you should have a bit of an idea as to what to write your next letter about. We also play a part in their walk with God. We need to remember that, and we need to encourage them and build them up.
You don't have to send anything, but if you want to here are some ideas for you:
Here is a list of things that we have sent to our sponsor boys:
- Thin staple bound scribblers, coloring books, etc. (1/4" or less in thickness and 8 1/2 x 11")
- Valentines Cards
- Band aids
- Bookmarks
- Blank greeting cards ( I had some thank you cards lying around so I sent them to the moms)
- Stickers
- Thin Sticker Book
- Devotions
- Hockey cards in the binder sleeves. That way they can collect them if they choose to.
- Word Search pages
- Pictures - Of: Snow, Our dog, Us, I also copied their pictures and sent them to them. I don't think they have many pictures of themselves.
- Rainbow art (they are pictures that are covered with black and you scratch it off to reveal colors underneath. Take the stick out first though)
- Thin story books with lots of pictures.
- Gift bag (I removed the string on top)
- A thin book in Spanish (Alejandro's language)
-I'll continue to add to my list as we send more things.
Here are things that you can send but we haven't yet:
- Postcards
- Sport cards
- Bookmarks
- Thin, small calendars
- Magazines (less that 1/4" thick)
- Paper dolls
- Scrapbook paper
- Small posters
- Stamps
- Greeting cards
- Flat, paper items that are 8 1/2" x 11" and less than 1/4" thick
If things are not within Compassion guidelines, they will donate them to the local charity.
If you have more ideas as to what to send, please let me know!
