The work has begun! Are you joining us for Memorial Day Weekend?
We left gray funky weather in Riverside only to discover beautiful blue skies and temps in the 70's at Siempre. It was as clear a day as I can remember and just as we left the paved road to enter our stretch of dirt roads we looked out at the ocean to see a whale break water. An absolutely perfect start to a great day at Siempre! Wish each of you could have been there.
Pastor Ken, John Juhl and Brent Surman had been at Siempre since early in the morning working with a backhoe driver, pulling the old gray water system, setting the new one and getting the plumbing down and the ground ready for our slab. People always ask how we build so much in two days? It's because of the weeks of hard labor and preparation by our building team. No way we could have a successful weekend without the weeks and months of labor they put in ahead of time designing, planning and then doing the physical labor making the site ready for us to build. Thanks you guys. You're the best!
Working with kids around might seem a bit on the dangerous side but as kids got home from school they all wanted to help. They're excited about the add on. The second floor will be a great room, surrounded by windows, sliding glass doors onto a large deck, with the interior space being their first place to study, work on computers and just hang out. A room with a view on the world.
Our directors monitor TV time at Siempre closely. They have movie night a couple of times a week when the kids gather around their little 13 inch tv/vcr combo for "viewing pleasure." If you've been itching for a new big screen and just don't know who to donate your old one to, or you'd like to buy a tv for the kids of Siempre, know that it will go to great use. Plus there's the added benefit of always being welcome to watch a movie with the kids... hope you speak Spanish!
Sara shows off her living space and gifts
The girls commandeered my camera this week and kept it for most of the afternoon. The upside to that was having an eye into their world that we normally don't see. It's amazing to watch our kids embrace new children and make them feel at home. Sara's been with us just two weeks and her bed looks like any other girls. For so long we had just two girls living in a room built for 8 and I think they felt lonely. Now with the room filled they laugh and care for each other in wonderful ways. Incredible to consider that God's given us the opportunity to help out kids who'd otherwise be living in poverty most of us can't even imagine. He's so good.
The girls of Siempre - minus Lupita and Marian
We had a big crew this week- Karen and her son Phil joined us and brought a beautiful new rug for our floor and interlocking, colorful tiles for play areas. They'll both be a great addition. Joy was also able to be back with us and she led in a rousing game of dominos with Karen and many of the kids. Our administrator, Becky Avery and her husband Ross, followed us so Ross could bring surveying equipment to check out the property we've been looking at. While Becky was there she went over our director's books and discovered that Alejandro was doing an incredible job of tracking the finances. He was just $6- off of our tracking of monthly expenses. It was $6- that one of them had taken out of their own pockets when they needed it for our expenses. Praise God for leaders who are loving, patient, kind and filled with integrity. Keep them in your prayers.
Pastor Israel translates for Becky as she and Alejandro go through the accounts
It's so much fun going to Siempre each week that we forget it's a responsibility. To be warmly embraced with the joys and challenges of our family there is a lot like going home each Wednesday. I look forward to each of you getting to know the children and workers of Siempre. So many of you who've never come have already made a profound impact on their young lives. Last week, Mike, a friend here in Riverside, donated a beautiful mountain bike and asked me to give it to the oldest boy at Siempre- it had a large frame. The bike is better than any bike I've ever had, fancy shocks on the front forks, high end Shimano components, etc... When I unloaded it I called over Enrique, our oldest and biggest boy and said it was for him- he immediately said he already had a bike we'd given him, that it should go to Mario. Pretty cool. Mario's 12, one of our newer boys without a bike. When I hadn't given complete thought to the issue, our kids selflessly helped one another out.
Mario didn't pass the bike along! He jumped on the thing and was immediately racing around the block. I made him stop long enough for me to catch a shot.
Mario on his new bike
Kitty gives Arturo a hair cut while Bianca holds on
It was hair cut week and Kitty was insuring that our kids were kept the best looking kids, and adults, in TJ. While cutting Kitty also checks for lice and bug bites. We'd had a problem with fleas from the neighboring goats, but apparently we've put an end to that and Kitty said the kids all passed inspection with flying colors. This week even Aracelli got a hair cut. She may be feeling a little more human after having the weekend off. A group of women from Central Community got together and gave our workers last weekend off while they watched out over Siempre. I've received only GREAT reports and apparently they spent lots of time scrubbing and doing laundry. Thanks so much! I know it was a much needed break.
Yesterday's group shot- it was hard to leave such a beautiful day!
Debi and I looking all played out- as Noemi clicked our picture
We never imagined working with orphans and abandoned children. We never dreamed so many amazing people would join us in the work. We're completely humbled by all God's doing at Siempre. If it ever seems like I hammer away at inviting you to join us some Wednesday afternoon or for Memorial Day weekend, it's because I know how much we've received that was completely unexpected and we want you to share the blessings. God has opened a door to love and encourage children who need our support desperately. We can't begin to fathom their loneliness, yet to see them feel accepted, comfortable and loved at Siempre is a wonderful reminder of the Power of God's Family and His Love at work through His children. I can never guarantee an open seat on Wednesdays but I know we still have some open rooms to join the 110-120 of us that are building a dream life Memorial Day Weekend for kids who've already lived their nightmare. You're invited. You're needed. 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.