Compassion Letter

In response to a contest posted at http://lovelaidbare.blogspot.com, here is the letter I wrote to my family's Compassion International child.

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Mark Carlson,
Thank you so much for writing a letter to your sponsored child. Please write again soon!Remember, your e-mail does not go directly to your child. Your letter will go through the normal translation process and be mailedto your sponsored child as soon as possible. Please keep this copy of your letter for your own records. Thanks for making a difference in the life of a child,

Message:
Querido Enrique, 6-1-07
¿Cómo estás? Estoy tan emocionada que pueda escribirte. Ahora estoy viviendo en Indiana en una casa con 5 de mis amigas. Empezamos las clases el jueves pasado. Aunque estoy en los EEUU, pienso mucho en ti y en Honduras. He contado muchas cuentas a mis amigos del tiempo que pasé en Honduras.
Tengo que decirte que eres MUY especial a mí y a mi familia. Fue un milagro que tuvimos la oportunidad de conocernos cara a cara. Espero que te gustó el viaje y Tegucigalpa, McDonalds, el Picacho (la estátua de Jesucristo), el hotel y todo que estaba incluído en la visita. ¿Cual fue tu cosa favorita de la visita? Para mí, fue maravillosa verte y pasar tiempo contigo. Eres muy chistoso y divertido. Estoy segura que tu familia está muy orgullosa de tí.
Leí a tus cartas viejas y vi a los dibujos. ¡Son muy lindos!
¿Cómo está tu familia? ¿Cuándo empieza la escuela? ¿Has disfrutado las vacaciones? Disfruté las vacaciones de Navidad muchísimo. Fue increíble pasar tiempo con mi familia otra vez.
Enviaré algunas fotos del tiempo que pasemos juntos en elcorreo proxímo. ¡Espero que nunca se pierda tu sonrisa y espíritu linda!

Con amor,
Christy (para la familia Carlson)

(In English)
Dear Enrique, January 6, 2007
How are you? I'm so excited that I can write you. Right now I am living in Indiana in a house with five of my friends. We started classes last Thursday. Although I'm in the United States now, I think about Honduras and you a lot. I have told my friends a lot of stories about the time that I spent in Honduras. I have to tell you that you are SO special to my family and me! It was a miracle that we had the opportunity to meet each other in person. I hope that you liked the trip and Tegucigalpa, McDonalds, el Picacho (the statue of Jesus Christ), the hotel, and everything that we did during the visit. What was your favorite thing about our visit? For me, it was wonderful to see you and spend time with you. You are very funny and fun! :-) I'm sure that your family is very proud of you. I read your old letters and I saw the pictures. They're so nice!
How is your familiy? When does school start? Have you enjoyed your vacation? I enjoyed Christmas break a lot. It was incredible to spend time with my family again. Next time I write, I will send some pictures of our time together in Honduras. I hope that you never lose your wonderful smile and spirit.

With love,
Christy (for the whole Carlson family)

*My parents have sponsored a Compassion child since I was young. Although they are responsibile for the financial support, I have always felt that my role was to write letters and communicate with the child. We have sponsored many Compassion children over the years. Compassion chose Enrique for us, because our previous sponsored child dropped out of the program. We began sponsoring him when he was in 2nd grade. He is now entering 7th grade.