“I feel so bad, it’s been ages since I’ve written my sponsor child and now I don’t know where to start.”
“But will my letter even make it to my sponsor child?”
“I feel like I just write the same thing and I don’t know what else to write.”
You are not alone if you can relate to these concerns. Writer’s block can happen in letter writing too! You find the time, you have the cute stationary, a cup of tea (or a can of coke), and you try to put that pen on the paper but it doesn’t move. The words don’t come. What do you write to an 8 year old boy who lives in a completely different context than you?
Let me give you a few facts before we get any further.
- You mean so much to your sponsor child. Even their parents would say that you are considered a part of their family. YOU ARE IMPORTANT
- Any letters or pictures you have written in the past are probably in a safe box in a safe place in the child’s home. They are precious treasures.
- The letter that you write has the potential to ignite important conversations between the child and our sponsorship staff. For example; you ask the child if they attend a church, know how much Jesus loves them, or how their parents are. The child, who is reading the letter with one of our workers, responds aloud. The letter gets put down for a sec as our staff engages in this meaningful conversation and can also encourage or help them.
YOU are important, YOUR LETTERS are important, and THE CHILD is important.
Children outside North America are still children. They play, laugh, ask a ton of questions, and have deep feelings just like your son, niece, or little neighbours. They also can carry quite heavy burdens that they don’t even know how to identify. Maybe her dad is without work still and the day before they only had enough money for 1 meal. Maybe his dad is an alcoholic and doesn’t spend time with him. Maybe this teenage girl was born to a very young mom who left her with her grandparents to raise. Your words, even if they are few, can show a child that they matter and that they are loved.
So where do you start?
Here are some letter prompts. Choose a few and let your heart finish writing.
“(My) dear ________,
I am sitting here (looking out my window at) (on my couch watching my children…) and thinking about you.”
“I am so excited to have the opportunity to write to you again.”
If you have children, share what their interests are.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Ask the child about their family. Remember, if you have the names of their family members it makes the letter extra personal 🙂
“Did you know, I have your picture on my fridge and I see your beautiful face every time I go to my kitchen?”
“God loves you so much, (name). Do you know that? You are so special to him.
Note: Try to stay current and not describe events too long ago as your child may not read your letter right away.
You can do this! Go find a pen and paper and call it a rough copy. We believe in you!!
REMEMBER: This matters. It does make a difference. We all have a part in giving these children the best opportunities.