What Followed When I Chose to Sponsor a Child
I would like to share with you some of the wonderful correspondence I've had with the little girl I sponsor who lives in Uganda. Her name is Noeline and we have been writing back and forth for the past 8 years.
Noeline Fr. Jim Van Vurst, OFM
When I decided to sponsor a child, I selected Noeline from several photos and bios I received from CARITAS For Children. She was just about 7 years old at that time. She had the brightest smile and it seemed she was looking right at me. I couldn't resist choosing her.
I recently received an updated photo of her sitting between one of her Sister teachers and Chris Hoar of CARITAS' Catholic child sponsorship programs. I was amazed and thrilled because she is now in Junior High School and has sprouted up to be quite a tall young lady. She is no longer a "little girl." In fact I asked her if she is able to play volleyball. She certainly looks like she could jump high and really challenge the net with her "kills."
One of the really nice customs we have has to do with painting. I'm a watercolorist and I include in each of my letters a little landscape watercolor for her. She must have quite a little collection of art pieces by now. And on her part, she always sends her letters decorated with her own color pencil drawings that highlight the borders of her letters. She has a liking for various kinds of flowers as decorations.
One of the watercolors that Fr. Jim sent to Noeline, the Ugandan teen he sponors through CARITAS' Catholic child sponsorship programs.
Also, she is very faithful in sending me her report cards which gives me a chance to encourage her in an area where she may need to improve a little and compliment her in what she has achieved in school. I know her letters give me a little lift.
She always refers to me as "her father" which makes me feel wonderful. And I think of her as "my little girl" which I believe makes her feel very special also. It's amazing what a simple $1.15 postage stamp and a letter can bring to this wonderful little girl.
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