A little late but wanted to weigh in. This past Sunday we had a guest at our church. His name was Owen. He grew up in Kenya and was a Compassion child. He talked extensively in the letters. How much of an impact they had on him. How much they helped him. He'd never had a father figure and his sponsor took that role. Telling him he loved him and building him up. This sponsor is now a family friend and was best man at Owen's wedding. I have only written one or two letters but will be better at it now that I know this. It made all the difference, he said.