Sopai!  That is how you say greetings in my language, which is Maa, the language of my people, the Maasai.

My name is Adia.  I am seven years old; I will be eight years old in the summer.  I live in an orphanage with other kids; the older ones look after the little ones, and we little ones look up to the older ones.  It is a most pleasant arrangement, but deep down inside, I'd much rather have a family who would love me.

I wonder what that would be like.  To have a family of my own.  I dream about that sometimes.

I can walk just about as good as anyone else here at the orphanage.  By this, I mean the kids who were born with strong legs that work.  My legs, meanwhile, are withered and useless; up until I got my crutch-sticks several months ago, I couldn't walk.  Now look:  I am about as fast as cheetah, who roam the savannahs!

My friends at school and here at the orphanage think my new crutches are cool.  I think so, too.  I now have legs that take me places, and nothing can stop me!!

I wasn't the only one who got something from the missionaries when they came to see us:  other kids got wheelchairs, crutch-sticks, or walking frames, and some more kids got glasses, hearing aids, and even new shoes and clothes.  It was like Father God came down and surprised us; it was like birthday and Christmas all wrapped up into one fun, exciting day!!

I learn all about birthdays and Christmas from kids at school, and also from missionaries.  I am a very smart girl.

Maybe one day my other big dream can come true , and that is to have a family.  I would love to have a momma and a poppa again, not to mention, brothers and sisters!  All I can do is pray to Father God and ask Him to answer my prayer!

Well, I am at school as I write this; if teacher catches me writing in my book of words instead of working on my English, he may whip me.  I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Adia saying so long!  God bless!

~Love, your new friend in Kenya, Africa, Adia Shwange.  :)

*to be continued.*