What a great day to be in Mexico! A crowd of us jammed into my Sequoia in Riverside underneath rainy skies and headed for our mid day run to Siempre. The truck was beyond full and I was dreading the possibility of muddy roads. By the time we hit San Diego the clouds had broken and we experienced nothing but sunshine while at Siempre. It was a great day! Gave the kids my camera again- they sure love it and it's great not having to hassle with it. Maybe one of them will become a photographer!
If Becky has her way they will. Becky takes care of the administration of Siempre but doesn't get to come down as often as she would like. When she heard the kids enjoyed cameras she went out and bought each of them a disposable for the day with the promise of returning with prints the next week. The kids had a blast!
Enrique and Vanessa taking a picture of someone with my camera
Vanessa is now cooking all the meals at Siempre. So she is greatly loved by all. Her job is growing as the demand for space in our little home picks up. We added 5 new boys- brothers all- who were abandoned by their parents. They're great kids- and just at that age when brothers love to fight. I think our directors are already feeling exhausted.
Mario, 13- Jonathan, 12- Neftali, 10- IsaAas, 11- MoisAs, 8
Yesterday was my first day to meet them and I'll be in Africa for the next two weeks so some of you will get to know them before I will. They seem to fit right in and are hungry for the love, security and attention Siempre offers. Each of them received their welcome backpack filled with clothes, personal items and a toy. Now we need to pay their tuition and get them school uniforms.
One of the boys going through his backpack at his new bunk
The younger kids seem to be getting healthy. There were fewer coughs and not nearly as many rattles in the chest. Warmer weather does a body good!
My wife Debi brings Arturo in to greet me- he's a great kid! Walking like crazy.
The real hit of the day were brought by Mark, a first time visitor to Siempre, who donated three very cool off road scooters. They have some kind of chain drive mechanism that works without ever having to put the foot down and they're very effective on the dirt roads. The kids jumped all over them and were feeling like it was Christmas day all over again. One of the kids took some video of them on it with my camera but I have no clue how to paste it on here... I don't even know how the boys figured out my camera could take video. Kids in every country are ahead of us in technology!
We're working on the design for our new addition - to be built this May - hopefully on this neighboring piece of property to the north...
from the roof of Siempre looking down- to the north- I think!
Siempre was formerly covered with old junk cars like this lot is. The owner lives in San Diego and we've not been able to locate him. This lot is our best case scenario but God provides in mysterious ways... just this morning friends offered to buy Siempre a neighboring lot that we know is for sale- you can almost see it from this shot from the roof. God is too good! Thanks so much you guys!
Brent, John (Siempre's architect) and Mark- the lot is down to the left
Please be in prayer for God's will in all of this. Where we build will be where 20 new children and workers reside. We want it to be in the area that will offer the most secure and effective environment for continued growth and well being of the kids.
The day ended with out weekly group photo... again our family in Mexico is growing.
I know you'll love them all. I can't wait to take you with me some Wednesday afternoon or this coming Memorial Day Weekend. Sign ups for our building weekend begin Feb. 1. Call our office at 951-689-5806 for more info or email me.
Keep us in your prayers. We leave for Africa Tuesday morning, Feb. 1, Pray as well for team 1 as they return. God is blessing the work in Kenya and we're way excited to learn all we can while we're there. No updates until Feb. 22. I'll miss the kids and keeping up with you. Thanks for your prayers, support and continued words of encouragement.
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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