Happy Birthday Enrique! Celebrating his 14th birthday on our fishing trip
We had an incredible day fishing out of Ensenada on Wednesday. Special thanks to Jon and Thelma Richards for their generous gift of fishing to the kids of Siempre. So many "firsts" were experienced in one day for each of our kids: first time on a boat, first time fishing, first time to catch a fish, first time out on the open ocean, first time to bait their own hooks, first time to nap on a boat... it was a day of "firsts" and God blessed every one of them.
Danny checks out the live bait as we leave the harbor
We chartered the Shir-Lee out of Sergio's Sport fishing in Ensenada. The boat was perfect, the crew and skipper fantastic, the weather amazing and the day a success from 4am at Siempre to our 5pm return. After about an hour run to near Punta Banda, south of Ensenada the crew had the kids on fish from the first bait in the water. Some of our kids caught over 20 fish each! Within an hour kids who had never fished were baiting their own hooks, landing their own fish and charging back to the rail to get back at it.
Everyone has a line in the water
After catching plenty of barracuda and bass the skipper took us on a ride out to Todos Santos Island where the kids had a chance to get up close and personal with the local sea lions.
lot's of sea lions
lot's of kids! Guess it's a good thing we weren't visiting the local Orcas!
We then headed out into rough water north of Ensenada to hunt for some rock fish in deep water. The kids acted as if they had been on boats their entire life- screaming with glee as the boat lurched over every large swell then moving right back to doing what kids do best to pass the time... play.
Some of our girls having fun at sea
After loading up on ling cod, rock fish of many varieties and more bass it was time to call it a day and head in. We'd more than done our damage, catching hundreds of fish and guaranteeing full freezers at Siempre and a big fish fiesta for the entire neighborhood!
Some of our fish in 2 - 150 quart ice chests- that's just SOME of it!
Praise God the fantastic crew was gracious enough to filet the fish on the long way back to the docks while the kids rested up from their first big adventure on the water.
too much sun, sandwiches, root beer and fun- time for a nap!
The day ended with our traditional group photo once we pulled into the dock.
The end of a great day.
After fishing we headed into town to Fenix Tacos, home of the best fish tacos in all of Baja, and ate until our stomachs hurt! While I was watching the kids eat and playing the "dad" role as some of them wanted a little of everything, the ramifications of what we're doing in Mexico began to sink in... these children, beautiful, loving and abandoned in poverty, have already been changed by the wonderful home we've opened to them in Siempre. However, fishing is just one of the many "firsts" they'll experience while with us. There'll be the first to graduate from high school, the first to move out and start a family of their own, the first return with their children to show where they discovered God's love and grew up... these first will keep on coming for years. It's how a family raises children. It's our promise to every child dropped on our doorstep - siempre - always. Always a bed, a meal, an education, loving support, encouragement, Jesus... always the love of Christ for kids who would otherwise be lost, abused and swallowed alive by the darkness, disease, ignorance, hunger and sin of poverty that traffics on the flesh of children.
As we approached a set of rocks off shore in the midst of an angry, raging sea, I found myself counting little heads making sure everyone was safely on board. More than once I looked up to the wheel house to make sure the skipper was keeping an eye on the swells and rocks around us. The thought of a child falling in had my stomach in knots. Looking back I realize how much more danger the children face falling into the streets of Tijuana without Siempre Para Los Ninos. Your financial support is so very important. Without it we could not continue. That can't happen.
The loving relationships many of you are building with our children are priceless. Their healthy formation and personal security depend on your love. Your willingness to join us Memorial Day Weekend and build is the only thing that will allow us to continue to grow as a family. So many more need a room. We can keep our promise to the lost kids of Mexico - a mere two hours away from most of us - siempre - always. We can turn always hurting, always scared, always hungry, always lost into the family promise of always safe, always secure, always fed, always found and at home at Siempre Para Los Ninos.
Every child that was once lost but is now found thanks you. You're making the difference in kids who are thankful beyond measure. I wish each of you could have gone fishing with us. Thanks to Ken, Ted and John who took off from work and gave their days in love. You can join us next Wednesday afternoon. The kids have so many stories to tell.
Ted and Karen Springer have built a wonderful relationship with the kids of Siempre and had the opportunity to spend Easter there. They took a ham and shared in the Easter services at our little church. Our kids put on a drama at church led by Bianca, one of our workers, who had costumes for them and taught them their lines as they went through the last hours of Christ life. Easter morning started off with Easter baskets, gifted by the ladies of Central Community and graciously delivered by Ted and Karen. They said every kid flipped to discover candy and egg laden baskets on their beds. Karen took a bunch of pictures- I'll try to get them on the www site. Here's one of our special Easter kids.
Lupita celebrates Easter- fresh out of bed!
Thanks again for your part in Siempre Para Los Ninos. Our kids need you desperately. You're invited to build with us Memorial Day Weekend or join us any Wednesday. There're so many more "firsts" these kids deserve to experience... you can play an important part, now, more than ever,
siempre,
Eric M. Denton
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 OR 951-907-9100, (my cell- call me direct)
We've still got $10,000- to match before May! WE CAN DO IT! -
SPECIAL THANKS FOR THIS WEEKS $1,000- GIFT!
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.