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| Ezekiel & Roseann |
Our friend Ann Dale is a Mother Teresa of sorts.( She would scoff at this, but its true.) She is as selfless and devoted a creature as God has ever made. One of the things she does is run a non-profit that, among other things, has built an orphanage and school in Kenya. A few years ago our family agreed to sponsor a pair of orphan children's education. Ezekiel and Roseann came to the orphanage as siblings. School in Kenya is not publicly sponsored, so students who want education must pay for it. We took on the responsibility of figuring out how to pay for their education through the years. We make and sell fresh raspberry freezer jam and Orphan Care Packages at my Christmas concerts to help raise funds for this. My whole family is involved. My sister Libby also sponsors a young woman, and has for years. She is now at the point of paying for her university tuition. It can get a little lot! So we are grateful for the generous help of those who help at Christmastime by purchasing these things. All the money goes to our orphans. They need all the help we can give. |
| That's Ann Dale on the left. |
One of the great things about specifically sponsoring kids is that you get to build a personal relationship with them. We have never met Roseann and Ezekiel. But we interact occasionally by mail and email. And every once in a while, when Ann and her team travel to Kenya, we can send tokens of love to them. But we feel a sort of loving ownership in their lives, and an eternal connection as we try to help them be the best they can be.
Today's creative Lent piece is a letter to Ezekiel and Roseann. The foundation team is sending them out this week. They asked for a current family photo to go with it.
March 7, 2022
Dear Ezekial and Roseann -
Hello from America! It is a beautiful Monday here in Utah. The morning sun reflects off a fresh snowfall that has laid itself over the trees and mountains. I think God chose the perfect color for snow, it reflects so beautifully and makes everything sparkle.
We wish we could send you some snow, so you could know how it feels, but I'm afraid it would be much changed by the time it reached you. So instead, I'll send our love, which is unchangeable.
We gathered as a family yesterday for Sunday dinner and to celebrate two birthdays. Sarah was born on my birthday, March 5th. She was the best birthday gift I have ever received! She is a beautiful woman, a mom to four great kids and a Pediatrician (a doctor who treats children) and a faithful believer in Jesus Christ.
We heard you were both baptized recently, into the same church we belong to. It is a joy to share the same faith and feel understood by like-minded people who have similar beliefs. Jesus Christ is central in our lives, and we feel even more connected with both of you because of this shared belief.
This letter is addressed to both of you because I want to encourage you to cherish each other as siblings. When I was small our father left our family. It was a struggle in many ways, emotionally, culturally, and financially. My brothers and sisters became very important to me. We are still very, very close, and they are my dearest friends. You have a history that only you two share, and there is comfort in having someone who knows what you have gone through in your life. Hold onto each other. Be kind, and lift each other up through your days and nights. Laugh together. Cry together. And learn together. Pray with each other, and defend each other when it is necessary. You will find beautiful memories come of it, and they will help sustain you throughout your lives. While it is sad and difficult not to have parents to nurture and guide you, you do have each other. For that we are grateful.
And, you have us! We pray for you and are lifted every time we have news of you. We understand you are brilliant students, kind and thoughtful to others. We hear you are leaders among your peers, and you share your testimonies without fear. Hooray for your goodness! God has placed you where you are, with your own gifts and struggles, and if you will let Him, He can use you for good. May you be strong and effective instruments in His hands.
We are sending so much love and all good wishes.
Cori Connors (Gummy)
Dave Connors (Gumpa)
our kids are:
John and his wife Ashley (John has the beard) and their kids Sophie, Parker, Ruby and Walter
Sarah and her husband Dave. Their kids are Timothy, Anna, Joe and Grace
Kate (she is not in this picture. She lives in New York where she is doing graduate school studies)
Annie and her husband Jordon. Their kids are Calvin (he is hiding behind his parents, you can barely see his eyes between Annie and Jordon) Beth and Tessa (the littlest girl)
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Connors Family
back row: Timo, Anna Calvin (hiding), Ruby, Parker
middle row: Dave Petersen, Sarah, Dave (Gumpa) Cori (Gummy),
Annie, Jordon, Sophie, Ashley, John
Front row: Joe, Tessa, Beth, Grace, Walter |
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| our back yard in the snow |
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| our front yard in the snow |
Click here for more info on Lifting Lives In Kenya.
