Greetings!
Another great visit to Siempre Para Los Ninos. We arrived in the early afternoon shortly after Ken and John, (leaders preparing for Memorial Day Weekend), had just left. I felt fortunate just to be there. I'd spent the morning with hundreds of other good people playing our part in society with jury duty. Wave after wave of people were sent to courtrooms and I was left behind... until they released me from service at noon and I was on the phone putting the crew back together and heading for Mexico! I figured if God kept me off so many juries he must have really wanted me to be down at Siempre.
In the rush leaving town I wasn’t able to go by my office and pick up our supplies for the week or my camera... so no photos from yesterday. And that's a shame because we had birthday cake, baked by Lynn, and a party for three of our kids with April birthdays. Elisa was with us this week and she speaks perfect Spanish and the kids love her so we had lots of fun asking about school, friends, etc... and enjoyed the simple pleasure of being fully understood and the wonder of knowing everything they were saying. Thanks Elisa.
After eating cake the kids sang us a song or two and then enjoyed many lively rounds of musical chairs. Bianca, our newest worker, is a gifted teacher with the children and they love her dearly. As the younger kids played, Sara, our oldest, ran the tape deck, Enrique, next in age, sat and acted bored, while Mario, our 12 year old worked on his art on the computer.
Mario is a gifted worker and artist. He spends hours drawing cars, spaceships and other twelve year old dream toys and has now taught himself how to use Microsoft Draw and design them on the computer as well. He'd spent an hour or so drawing a rocket car of some sort then discovered he didn't know how to save it. Elisa came over and was able to walk him through the menus and teach him how to insure that he'll never lose his masterpiece. We're looking forward to someday getting software in Spanish, until then, the kids are learning the basic computer commands in English.
With the ladies leading the kids in games I took a few minutes to visit next door with Pastor Israel. It was exciting to hear him tell the story of how the kids have positively impacted their church. Just sitting down together as pastors was good for both of us. I don't do it often enough. Israel is on our staff and we see each other weekly but we rarely take the time to sit and share our dreams.
I told him about Saddlebacks great 25th anniversary celebration and Pastor Rick Warren's vision for the next 25 years and he quickly went to the bookshelf and pulled down his copy of The Purpose Driven Life in Spanish and we started talking about getting a 40 Days of Purpose group going in our little community. He's excited at the prospect of more books and some curriculum in Spanish. Believes it will build our young church. We even talked about having a group for the Siempre Kids. Keep this in your prayers. Pastor Israel and his family play an important role in the lives of our kids as their spiritual leaders. Pray that God will open doors for us to supply all they need for the upcoming groups. I don't even know if there is a kids element to 40 days in Spanish.
Land for sale!
This is the view looking towards the ocean from Siempre Para Los Ninos out to the Coronado Islands. The land across our little road is for sale! It's two acres, with water and electricity, for $80,000- Half the lot is flat and completely usable- the other half goes down into a deep canyon. Imagine what that property would be worth just 20 minutes to the north! Pastor Israel's already met with the owner but we need to get official lot lines and proof of ownership before we proceed any further. What a blessing it would be to acquire this incredible piece of property.
If you've considered making a gift, large or small, towards our land fund, today would be a great day to do it. A new friend of Siempre's gave $500- last weekend- THANKS SO MUCH -that draws us one step closer to a greater area to grow on. This year we'll build on the area the kids garden in and use to raise their chickens, unless we can make this property happen in the next week. Either way, it's great to know it's there and available for us when we get the money.
With a view like that I'M TEMPTED to buy the land!
The kids are growing up. And it's easiest to see it in our two youngest, Arturo and Lupita.
Arturo and Lupita when they came to Siempre 6 mos ago
Arturo and Lupita (in the dress) today
Because of your support they've been warm, safe, clean, well fed, loved and raised up away from the dangers of poverty in TJ. I look forward to continuing to share their young lives and for you to play a part in them. We have so much to give and so many need us. I see these two and realize they're just the tip of the iceberg.
We're building this Memorial Day weekend- hope you'll join us- it's going to be an incredible trip. If you're willing to have one of the Siempre Kids in your room for the weekend, let me know! Wouldn't it be great to let the kids get away each night to the Marriott? We've got well over 100 registered to join us for the weekend- if you've been thinking about it, now's the time to let us know. The kids need you now, more than ever,
siempre,
Eric M. Denton
5623 Arlington Ave.
Riverside, CA 92504
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) Or mail your donation direct. Make checks payable to Siempre Para Los Ninos.
We've still got $10,000- to match before May! WE CAN DO IT! -
It only takes one gift to put us over the top today!
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.
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.