9/19/2014

Chester travels to Bolivia

I've been a sponsor of a child in Bolivia through World Vision since November 2009. Denilson was 4 when they first sent his photo along with some other information about his community. Over the past 5 years, it's been heartwarming to watch him grow up. Often times the updates from World Vision would arrive at a time that I needed a little pick-me-up. It's uplifting to know that you are making a difference in a child's life for just a about a dollar a day.

I have been in a pen pal and letter writing mood lately. So when I got this recent package about Danilson and his community, I finally got around to writing him back. I know. I feel like a terrible person for not doing it sooner, but what do you even say to a kid in some poverty stricken country half a world away? I've always been concerned that my letters would fail to be uplifting. Or worse, my letter would be full of platitudes or just sound like a bunch of "first world problems".

But lately I've been doing some little things like buying and reading The Bridge. I also try to keep a simple Care Pack to give out when I see a homeless person. I've never see a person so grateful for new pair of socks. Maybe something as mundane as sending a letter will brighten a kid's day.

So I made up a little packet and included a pencil, a little notebook, a pencil sharpener, a photo of my family, a Chester drawing, and watercolor pencils. Hopefully, it gets through customs and arrives whole and undamaged. It's unimaginable to me how this letter is going to make such a long journey. What an adventure it must go on. Planes, trains, automobiles. Maybe the final leg by bicycle or packed on a llama. I really wish I could see the letter's journey like this interesting mail project by Matthew McVickar.

But since I can't accurately picture it's journey, I'll just imagine this instead. Chester boldly sailing an ocean of letters on his valiant quest to meet Danilson. Smooth sailing, my friend.