I greet you in the name of Jesus Christ. How are you these days with your family? I think you are OK. On my side, I am OK and have come back from school for the holidays. I lost my grandfather. Now I am starting a new life because I am alone in this world. But I am still calling you my father and your wife my mother even your children my brothers and sisters.

The main point why I have written is to thank you about my gifts that you send home every time. I can receive them. I like them so much. So, my sponsor, thank you for that. With God's help and power I will do well in my exams. Let the God Lord bless you.

Dear Patrick,

Thank you for your recent letter. It is always good to hear from you and learn how you are doing. I am sure these past few months have been very sad and difficult for you since the death of your grandfather. From all I have heard about your grandfather from the Cove volunteers, your grandfather was a very special man. His loss is a painful experience to go through by yourself. Thank you for sharing your feeling with me. I too know what it means to lose a loved one. My father died suddenly 20 years ago this month. Since that time, there is not a day that goes by that I do not think of him or remember something he taught me when I was a boy. My faith in Jesus Christ, Our King and Savior, has helped me over the years to celebrate my father's life and not to grieve his loss. As it is with your grandfather and my father too, their souls are now living in the light of Christ in heaven. They are our own personal saints that we can pray to when asking for God's help. For me it is comforting to have these daily prayer conversations with my father. I hope you can find a similar comfort in a prayer conversation with your grandfather.

We had sent your grandfather a gift of sugar and candy in March. A few weeks ago it was returned to us as not being delivered. I wish he would have received our present before he died. We had heard from our Cove volunteer friends that he liked sugar. We tried to do something nice for your grandfather before he died, we knew that by helping him we were also helping you. I am sorry that the package did not make it way to him. We have donated the contents to our parish church so your grandfather gift is being used to help others here.

Do not feel that you are ever alone. Your opening sentence was a greeting to me in the Name of Jesus Christ. With Jesus we are never alone; He always stands by our sides even in the most difficult times. We may not always remember or recognize that Christ is present and surrounds us in His loving embrace but He is. This we must never forget. We are his people, His family, and he will not forsake us because He loves each and everyone of us. As we are all members of Christ's family; so too you are a member of my family. I will never be able to replace your father or your grandfather, but I will be your father and Sally my wife, will be your mother. Our children, Kristin and Benjamin, are your brother and sister. You are not alone in this world, you have a family that loves and cares about you. We only want the best for you. Our family bond will not be broken by distance and time. As your father, I want you to know that I am so proud of you for all that you have accomplished in your school work and studies as is your entire family here in the United States. Your sister Kristin is now back in school teaching her young students. She has been teaching for more than 10 years now and really enjoys helping her students learn. Your brother Benjamin is now training to become a fire fighter. He has two weeks left to his beginning studies before starting his on-the job training and advance studies for the treatment of injuries and illnesses.

I know that you will grow up to be a good man, who will use the knowledge gained from your studies to better the people of your village. Work hard at your studies this year and do your very best because we honor Our Lord in all our actions and deeds. We know that you will do well in your exams this fall. Pray to the Holy Spirit for the wisdom you need to excel on your exams.

I also want to wish you a very happy belated birthday. I hope you are enjoying the gym shoes we send you for your birthday. I hope they fit you well and are comfortable on your feet. Did you do something special to celebrate your birthday? Do you still like Jack Fruit and if you do, will you have some for your birthday? A Cove volunteer is bringing you a gift from your family in the United States. Our family sends you our love and prayers. May God continue to watch over and protect you from all harm. If you see Fr. Hillary, or Richard tell them we said hello, they are a very good men and we are grateful for Fr. Hillary's priestly ministry to you.