Jonathan gets out of his crib!

Jonathan next to his crib sized bed.

Remember this child because I will be speaking of him a few months from now. I started sponsoring Jonathan back at the end of last year. Mack took one of my other sponsored kids (Mercy), so that I could keep one more of the kids with serious health problems. I requested pictures of Jonathan in his home, and received them around December 2008. At the time that I received the pictures, there was a note stating that Jonathan's health was stable and if I wanted to help him, he could use a bed.

I wasn't sure why they said that he needed a bed. I could clearly see him standing next to one (see the very top picture). However, since Jaden decided to provide beds for all of "her" sick sponsor kids, I helped her with Jonathan's. The fundraiser that a group of us participate in every month, finally landed on my turn. March was my turn to receive the funds from the other 3 people. I took that money, and added my own share, and sent it off to CI.

I was so surprised to get the follow up from the field stating that the family was very grateful for the bed and sheets. It said that his grandmother (who only makes $50 a month) was not able to afford one, and so Jonathan had been sleeping on a bed the size of a CRIB!!!! He is 10 years old, and has been sleeping on a bed the size of a crib! Wow!!! I am sure he was VERY excited to be able to stretch his legs outin his full-size bed!!

(a small note: I have sent a request to CI to see if his grandmother is possibly interested in an IGP, so hopefully, I will be doing a fundraiser for his IGP next time my turn comes up on the big group fundraiser.)

Now, here is Jonathan's letter:

Hi to you and your family. I hope that you are all in good health. We are doing well. I am writing to thank you for the gifts that I received:

1. sheet set

2. full size bed with frame

I am very happy. May God bless you in your work and every day of the year. I, also, wanted to tell you that I went to the beach with my aunt and cousins. We played a lot.

Thank you from all of my heart for being a magnificent sponsor! I say goodbye with a strong hug, Jonathan

(footnote: Jonathan lives with his grandmother. His mother and father have both passed away. While he is battling a serious health condition, he is always upbeat and happy. His grandmother does a lot for him to keep him happy. They go on walks & to the beach all of the time. I hope one day to be able to recognize his grandmother by doing something to make her life easier. She stepped up to take care of him when his family was no longer there, and I am sure she was helping all of them before the parents died. What a wonderful, self-less person!!!)