Lynn Smith helps Lupita peel her first Easter egg
It's Easter and the kids of Siempre are already celebrating! Ted and Karen Springer are taking down the balance of our Easter party for the community and Siempre on Saturday, but Lynn just couldn't wait. She brought dozens of boiled eggs. The kids spent an hour coloring them and then the next hour eating them. There's always something special happening on Wednesday!
There were six of us in my truck this week and we pulled a trailer to carry down Siempre's new, beautiful commercial washer and drier. We got a green light to cross the border into Mexico but we didn't make it 100 feet before guards jumped in front of us and sent us over to the inspection area. My first time to be stopped. They opened the trailer, took one look at the washer and drier and said I owed taxes on them. While they wrote me up I ran to the vehicle to see who had money! Fortunately Ellen had enough to cover the $51- tax, for which they gave us a receipt and we were on our way again.
Would you stop an innocent looking rig like this?
The trailer belongs to Jackets for Jesus and pulls like a dream, gives us so much more room in front. It's great for feeding the homeless in Los Angeles but apparently is a red flag at the border. Still hoping to pick up one of those roof top carriers to hook to my racks. Hopefully it won't attract as much attention to are weekly care loads.
The kids and workers were all in great spirits this week and everyone seems much healthier. Even little Arturo seems to be breathing easier. It's spring break and the kids are running out of things to do. The canyon across the road from Siempre is a main draw with all it's bushes and rocks for snakes, lizards and bugs to hide under. Mario, one of our older boys, caught a large scorpion yesterday morning and brought it on to the grounds in a milk carton to show it off! After each of us admired the nasty looking thing Alejandro stomped on it. Our little community is very rural and is surrounded by the wildness that once captured all of Southern California and Baja. It's a beautiful area.
the canyon across the road- looking towards the ocean
Mario- the scorpion tamer!
The boys have been fighting among themselves... occasionally even throwing a punch or two. Keep our leaders in your prayers. It's tough for them to balance love and acceptance with kids who desperately need structure and security in their lives. Each time new kids come in they want to see how far they can push the envelope without getting thrown out. It's overwhelming for our workers who live daily with these kids insecurities brought on by the pain and newness of being abandoned. Our leaders: Alejandro, Aracelli, Alejandra, Bianca and Pastor Israel and his wife Vanessa are doing amazing work at building a loving, family style environment. Please keep them in your prayers.
Danny gets a hair cut
Kitty joined us this week so everyone got hair cuts. The kids have taken to Kitty and really enjoy the attention she gives them. Our kids try to give each other haircuts occasionally and Kitty's always ready to fix their mistakes Kitty's faithfulness always reminds me how much each of us have to offer. There's something good you can do- something no one else can offer -like Kitty you might have to take a day off work once a month to serve. But I guarantee that it'll be worth it. If we don't love these kids up no one will.
Still no property. If we don't find something in the next two weeks we'll have to simply expand our current building by building over our garden area. Pray that God opens the right door.
This coming Wednesday, March 30, a group of us are taking the kids out fishing. We've chartered a boat out of Ensenada and we'll spend a day on the high seas with 15 kids who've never been on a boat... pray they don't all get sea sick! A group of workers also plans on staying at Siempre and cleaning. If you'd like to join either group- get back to me quickly! If you have some prizes you'd like to donate for kids who catch fish... or for kids who don't catch fish... let me know. We're trying to make the day a great outing. All the kids AND all the adults are really looking forward to the trip.
A pretty easy bunch of kids to love- our group photo for the week
When God first laid it on our hearts to build the little church in Granjas we never dreamed of the kind of Easter celebration they'll be having for the community this weekend. The church will be packed. When God first laid it on our hearts to build Siempre next door to the church we never imagined how He would use these kids to bless us. God's so very good and He's given us so very much. My prayer for you and your family this Easter is that you might experience the love of Christ in all it's fullness. Know that you're always invited to join us in Mexico. We'd love to share a Wednesday afternoon with you, now, more than ever.
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.
We've still got $10,000- to match before May! WE CAN DO IT!
You're Invited to Our Memorial Day Building Weekend
click this link for more information
Don't forget to sign up for our Memorial Day Building Trip! Without you the new work won't be accomplished. Discover the joy of building hope. En Espanol, "consrtuendo esperanza." or something like that
I'm open to speak to your church, club, group or business concerning Siempre support.
PS
I add everyone that crosses my email desk to this list. If this is your first unsolicited update- welcome! I'm more than willing to accept your rejection if it means one more might join me in loving these kids. If you prefer not to receive our weekly updates just let me know. No problem.
Thanks so much to those of you who forward this to your own friends, family and associates.