Merry Christmas!

We arrived at Siempre mid-afternoon excited about the prospect of hanging out with the kids and delivering much needed down comforters, flannel sheets and the first delivery of toys for under the tree.  Alejandro and Pastor Israel were in the front yard with uniformed workers from the water district who were in the process of turning off our water- to the entire property- including Siempre!  These are the times I regret not having spent time studying Spanish and the moments that those who translate for me can't seem to get the answers to my questions.

Our leaders and the water guy- center

our water meter- they shut it off!

Apparently it takes a day for them to submit the paperwork they were filling out and then Pastor Israel can go to TJ to resolve the issue.  I did everything- including bringing out kids and reminding them they were shutting water off on orphans at Christmas- to no avail.  Imagine- 20 people in that little mission base with no indoor water to bathe, cook, or run the toilets!  No one seemed to be phased in the least.  Another lesson in the cultural differences that can be so very difficult for us to understand.  Most, if not all of our kids, and many of our workers have always lived without indoor toilets and running water.  They've learned to make do with the little they have and when what we would consider a crisis like this comes up - to them it seemed one of the minor obstacles of daily living in poverty.

We're lifting the standard of living so much higher than our kids or most of the little community have ever been accustomed to or even come to expect.  Stepping back into life without running water seemed a mere inconvenience.  I confess that the situation made me feel somewhat inadequate to do all that needs to be accomplished without learning the language.  Can't stand the thought of our kids being even one day without running water.  Thankfully our neighbor agreed to run a line from his property to Siempre and keep water flowing until the issue is resolved.

Many of the kids are fighting colds and while the weather's been warm and sunny here they've been locked in by heavy fog for over 4 days.

Luis, Hernon, Danny, John (our son) and Enrique playing soccer in the fog

The kids are all growing rapidly and it's been encouraging to watch them build family like relationships.  They all treat each other very much like brother's and sisters.  This is a reflection of the genuine love and security displayed in Aracelli and Alajandro's leadership styles.  The older kids watch out for the younger and they all have a special place in their hearts for little Arturo who celebrated his first birthday yesterday.

Arturo and I singing happy birthday together

Joy, as always, brought a craft for the kids and got right to work teaching them how to make a paper chain of decorations for the tree.  All the kids love Joy and really enjoyed this task.  Juan went nuts and wanted to build a chain long enough to encircle the room.  By the time we left I think he was pretty close to getting there!

The kids show off their chain

Our youngest employee, Alejandra, injured her ankle several weeks ago and has been resting at your mothers.  Please keep her in your prayers as she is missed.  Flor, a member of our church at Siempre, has been working more hours for us to fill in the gap.  We built her family a home several years ago and they've lived in it, added on to it, and become a valuable part of our little community.  Her daughter, also named Flor, spends lot's of time at Siempre.  They're both wonderful and we've learned to love them.  Aracelli, Vanessa, (Pastor Israel's wife) and Flor each play important roles in the daily operations and in the spiritual and emotional well being of our kids.  They're 3 very important women at Siempre.

Vanessa, Aracelli and Flor

Flor, her daughter Flor and Noemi work together on their craft

So many nice things are being donated for Siempre.  This week we were able to take down a terrific computer that a family was replacing at home with a newer model.  The kids took to it the minute John had it set up.  Enrique didn't want to leave the keyboard for a minute.  While Christmas shopping keep an eye out for software in Spanish.  For now the kids are learning how to read English in order to use the computer.  Might not be such a bad thing.  But I'd like to eventually have several computers set up for the kids to use for school work.

John, Brent and Noemi watch Enrique try it out- Luis tries to squeeze into the picture!

We ended the day with our traditional group photo- now around the Christmas tree

The kids are excited about Christmas- each one hoping that they might get something they asked for.  The table in the picture's covered with much of what we brought this week.  Adults were all excited - but I think kids thought that new sheets and comforters weren't everything they were hoping for.  I let them know that NEXT week we'll bring the rest of the presents for under the tree.

Our prayer for the children of Siempre is that they experience The Love of Christ this Christmas in a home like atmosphere where they feel safe and secure.  Who knows how many holidays it will take before they really believe that they belong at Siempre.  My prayer for you this Christmas is that you enjoy the adventure Christ has call us to.  I'm overwhelmed by His love and grace this morning.  Hard to believe He allows us to have so much fun serving Him.  He's too good.

You're always invited to join us any Wednesday afternoon.  Next week will be a fun day- come if you can.

siempre,

Eric M. Denton

951-689-5806- office

951-907-9100- cell

PS

If you'd rather not receive this weekly update - just let me know.  Also, if you'd like to share in Jackets for Jesus Christmas party for the homeless on skid row in LA, this Sunday evening- let me know.  We still have a few backpacks left.