Happy Thursday!
I hope you and all you love have survived the storms of 2005. The rain has taken it's toll on children and families living in poverty in and around Tijuana. Some regions of the city are closed as are the schools because of mud and mudslides. Children and families have been washed away- some bodies have been found and identified, others never will be. Through the storms the children of Siempre- who without us would be fighting for survival side by side with thousands of other street children- have been warm, well fed, loved and going nuts being kept inside so long.
With schools closed and yards and roads filled with sometimes impassable mud that seems to cling to everything and suck little shoes quickly into it- our staff has been working overtime to keep the kids busy. When we arrived yesterday it was cartoon time and one of the rare occasions we find the TV on. Everyone was eating sandwiches and seemed to be enjoying an afternoon break.
Lupita, Hernon and Enrique take in a cartoon together
When we arrive we immediately break the routine with the unloading of the truck- a trick through the mud and lots of quick hugs and kisses for all the kids.
Lynn greets Lupita and Arturo
Joy always gets right to the business of cooking and crafts. She wasn't able to give her workshop on baking a cake because our propane tank was empty- no gas in our community, it all runs on propane- so no stove, or hot water for showers until the propane truck comes to fill it... and they kind of come when they're ready- not when we need it. I'm guessing Alejandro will learn to get it filled BEFORE it gets completely empty after a few cold showers.
Joy and Noemi work on an ongoing craft
Joy shares her photo album with the kids: L-R, Danny, Alejandra, Noemi, Aida, Louis and Joy
Each week I bring each child copies of the photos we take. The kids are becoming real collectors and love the camera. This week I handed it off to Enrique to take some shots. Interesting what a kid wants to take pictures of! Either Joy or Erinque took this less than candid shot of Arturo and me.
Arturo and I have become great friends- Don't have a clue who he thinks I am but we enjoy spending our Wednesday afternoons together.
Kitty was with us this week so everyone received their monthly hair cuts. After quick hugs to everyone, Kitty sets up shop on the porch and gets right to work. It's not a fun job. She searches little and big heads for head lice and eggs while she cuts and not only keeps the staff and kids looking great but also is our first defense against lice outbreaks that are so common among the children of Mexico. Everyone loves her and looks forward to her visits. Praise God it was a sunny day!
Kitty gives Louis a once over
Siempre has a washer indoors but dries everyone's clothes outside. With our weather this has become a daily challenge for the staff. Our garden area is swamped and getting the clothes out and back is more work than it should be. In our second unit- we'll be building this May- we're hoping for a wash room with at least one dryer.
That's ALL mud beneath those clean clothes- imagine doing that each day!
We have two new children moving in Friday and a goal of filling the house by next week. The storms have displaced so many children that it seems callous to have even one open bed. We've also lost a child. Juan, one of our original kids from the streets, had his mother, a fruit vendor in TJ's red light district, show up and pull him out. Seems she saw pictures of the impact of the Tsunami in the newspaper and decided to move inland and wanted to take her kids with her. Our directors could have fought it- we had the legal rights to Juan- but thought it better that the family stay together if she was going to give it a try. Juan's lived with us since August and he cried and fought not to go. Our workers said it was heart breaking. We'll all miss his great attitude. He's a fantastic kid. Hope his mom doesn't have him back on the streets.
Juan- in happier times. Keep him in your prayers.
We closed the day with our group photo. After weeks of taking them inside no one minded squinting into the bright afternoon sun.
our family at Siempre sends their love.
Thanks for your prayers and support. You're doing a good thing. May God richly bless you as we continue to rescue children from the hardships of poverty in Tijuana.
Siempre,
Eric
You can support a child on a monthly basis and begin to build a lifetime relationship or support Siempre Para Los Ninos for a day, week or month. Without you our doors would close. To learn how you can rescue kids in poverty go to siemprekids.org it's easy and can be auto deducted from your bank account or from your credit card. Or give me a call with questions- 951-689-5806. I'm open to speak to your church, club, group or business concerning Siempre support.
PS
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