Meet Eva, age 11 - Siempre's newest resident
Thanks so much for your prayers, love, donations and financial support!
This week crossing the border I couldn't help but wonder what the guards would think when they opened the truck and found a dozen chicks, (peeping loudly), cases of donated water, cases of donated chips, cases of donated cookies, 100 pounds of donated pinto beans, boxes of clothes and shoes and a collection of miscellaneous items that filled my truck to the brim. Fortunately the border guards smiled and waved us through... as I tried my best to enter Mexico in the shadow of a much larger truck! At the price of gas to and from TJ, I hate to add a weekly border crossing fee into the budget!
We had so much to unload that I backed in front of Siempre where the crowd was waiting to meet us with smiles, hugs and plenty of stories I could only understand in part. The biggest news is our newest resident, a really sweet 11 year old girl named Eva.
Alejandro was explaining the intake process for me as Pastor Israel translated, how her mother signed over her birth certificate and signed all of our paper work for us. Then said the mother hesitated on leaving her daughter and in saying goodbye said,
"This is not forever, just for many years."
I cried like a baby when each of our kids moved away to college. Can't imagine the emptiness in this mother's heart today. Please keep her as well as Eva in your prayers. This time of transition in their lives will challenge each of them in ways we can barely imagine. Poverty is devastating and I'm so thankful for the promise God has given us to share in Siempre Para Los Ninos.
Chicks! Judy, Hernon, Danny, Lynn, Lupita, Debi and Marion admire our chicks
One of Lynn's neighbors donated a dozen or so chicks left over from Easter to Siempre. The kids had never seen colored chicks and went ballistic! Red, orange, green... you name it, we had chicks of many colors and the kids held them, loved them and it was at least an hour before they were willing to release them into the chicken pen. They have only one chicken that lays eggs really well. So they're hoping for the best out of some of these. I'm just hoping the neighbors dog doesn't get in again! Only so many chickens I'm willing to smuggle across the border.
Moises, Judy and Napftali show off their new chicks- that's our new dryer in the background
It was a great day at Siempre. The kids loved getting the pictures back from the fishing trip. They say they've been eating fish every night since they got back and they were preparing fish again last night. The trip seemed to have bonded the children in a way that even living together has failed to do. The since and feeling of family seems to increase weekly.
Fishing Pictures for everyone! Their computer in the background
The highlight of the trip was definitely a time of dancing and a presentation the children reenacted for us from their Easter services. Bianca, our newest worker, is gifted in drama and dance and she's been working with the children daily, teaching them group games to play together with music as well as having them learn small skits. Bianca's just 18 or 19 herself and she really gets into it and it was a great time with all the kids involved. They spent a warm up time with some fun dances like kids might do in elementary school together. Then went right into their presentation: the story of a young Christian being tempted by satan and encouraged by Jesus and finally choosing to follow Jesus. There was lot's of laughter but also a real message being learned by each child as they played out the drama each of us face in our daily spiritual walk. Sitting there watching it was hard not to be both a little proud and humbled at how far God has taken the children and leadership of Siempre... He's too Good!
Bianca, center, being tempted by evil- while good- Alejandra- back to us- waits
Lupita and Arturo- sitting on my lap- watch the show
Arturo gets in on the dancing! - he's growing up so fast!
All of our kids are precious. But I'm particularly proud of Aida. She was the first girl at Siempre, we now have 6 girls, and she came with a heavy heart and very low self esteem. When Aida first came to live at Siempre she would cry endlessly, spend far too much time alone and even when she received a gift she hid it beneath her bed, apart from everyone. She's now bright, fun, loving and helpful in the household. She's like a different person. Maybe someday a child like Aida, or maybe even Aida, will go off to college than come back to head up the ministries of Siempre Para Los Ninos. God's doing great things in her life and it's been such fun to share in her healing growth.
Our garden is being newly tended
The season's are changing and sadly even the small plot of ground we have for gardening will be built over come Memorial Day Weekend. It seems that without divine intervention we'll be building an addition on our current property as opposed to moving to new land. John, has the plans ready to build an additional 2,000 square feet of living space onto Siempre's current facility over Memorial Day Weekend and with each day that goes by without our being able to secure new property it appears we'll be using those plans. It's just so hard to imagine 40 people living on that small lot! Far better than the streets of TJ but it would be amazing to have even two acres to move to. Please pray today that if it be God's will He'll open the door and we'll be bold enough to follow.
mi familia en Mexico - or something like that- our group photo!
I'm so excited to join those of you who're building with us over Memorial Day Weekend. It's a HUGE task and each year I've quietly wondered how it will all get done... and each year God uses us to get it done- it's been an amazing faith journey and I'm glad we're on it together. I know some of you that built with us last year are returning this year and have never seen Siempre since the day we dedicated it- you're not going to believe it! Those of you that haven't signed up because you think you're not invited or feel like you have something more important to do...
"This is not forever, just for many years." again, this is Eva, part of the new face of Siempre. Without you're dedication, who knows where her mother might have left her... she's safe, siempre - always - with us.
You're invited to join us- I can't think of one reason why we shouldn't fill every room at the Marriott. We have it all reserved but they need final numbers soon. It's going to be a life changing weekend- for the kids who live at Siempre, for those who will live there and for us. Children living in poverty need us now, more than ever. Thanks so much for your great generosity.
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! -
Again! SPECIAL THANKS FOR LAST WEEKS $1,000- GIFT!
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. 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.