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Large wrapped boxes with each
childs name and picture filled the room. After a
couple of minutes sharing, kids went looking for their
own box. Then, carefully picking through the
beautifully wrapped presents, they chose the one to
open early- each one hoping for something different -
then the festivities began in earnest as wrapping
paper was ripped to shreds, children ran to share
with each other what they had opened, and lttile
eyes opened wider as they began to unravel the
mysteries of so many new toys together. For a long
time I neglected to take a picture. I'd been up since
before 3am. Had spent Wednesday and Thursday,
frustrated and angry. Suddenly, it all kind of slipped
away. I thought of an old friend who likes to
say, "Nothin' bugs me." Thought about Romans
8:28, "All things work together for good for those
who love God and live according to His purposes."
And I made a mental note to myself: "Trust God."
There couldn't have been a sweeter moment or a
better present. Thanks for your love, support,
prayers and especially for all the gifts. WOW! Wish
each of you could have been with us.
Uno mas porfavor? One more
please? So many presents and 3 more days to
Christmas! Everyone wanted to open just one more.
Even our workers! So of course we said: "NO! Tres
mas dias" Three more days. Giving the kids of
Siempre the gift that so many of us took for granted,
in fact maybe we hated it, the anticipation and
excitement of something to look forward to. Hope. I
once read a study on orphans that couldn't sleep.
Researchers discovered that if they placed a piece of
bread under the child's pillow that sleep came quickly
and lasted through the night. Lack of hope was
keeping them awake, even when their stomachs were
full. Siempre's kids are learning to look forward to
tomorrow filled with hope. Each gift box has a name
and a picture- their name- their picture. Every gift
has a name tag: their name. Children once
abandoned are now embraced, by name, and as the
love works it's way in they begin to believe that
familia siempre, our siempre family, really is family and
that they belong. Today, desperately needing a nap,
I'm so thankful I belong to our growing community of
hope.
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Worth their weight in gold! It's
especially true when we're talking about the workers
at Siempre. Pastor's and Directors get all the
coverage, but without Brenda and Bianca we'd be
without the silver and gold of Siempre. These two
young women give selflessly, working and living with
our children and loving each one as if they were her
own. Both moved hundreds of miles from their birth
families to accept positions at Siempre and both
serve in love, celebrating Christmas with us, to insure
the welfare of our kids. Bianca loves clothes. She
opened her presents and found cute and trendy -
just what she wanted. Brenda opened the biggest
gift in her box and unwrapped this beautiful purse.
She cracked a HUGE smile, called for everyone to
come and see and then asked Bianca to take her
picture. Pretty cool.
Our workers earn so little- yet they
give so much. We're able to meet our weekly payroll,
food, utilities, tuition and all the other costs that
quickly add up in a household of 30, because you
give. I'm not besieged with requests for more money
for their pay checks- much as they deserve it.
When they ask for money, it's almost always
something the children need, the household needs,
just another need of life. These gifts at Christmas
could not have come at a more appropriate time for
encouragement. Thank you. It's not a big enough
word, but thanks just the same. Without you,
Brenda wouldn't be smiling, God only knows where
the children would be and our doors would be
closed. While we're breathing, let's do all we can to
see that it never happens. We've been invited to
help build these young lives. To restore hope and
the promise of siempre, always. In a world where
children and the poor are easily overlooked thanks for
noticing the need in these young lives all year long
and especially at Christmas.
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Merry Christmas! Christmas is here. 3 more days. If you don't have plans for Christmas, spend it with us. I'm serious! Christmas Eve we have 3 Candlelight and Communion services in Riverside AND a team of workers is going to Jackets for Jesus - join us! Christmas morning- don't be alone- come on over to our house and I'll cook you breakfast. Hang out with us. You're welcome from 9am to 10 or 10:30am- no sooner, no later! At 11am Debi and I are headed to Siempre for the rest of the day and evening. Again, you're invited. The kids at Siempre shouldn't spend Christmas alone and if you find yourself in that situation this year, regardless the reason, neither should you, join us for a fantastic Christmas day. We never know what's going to happen or who might be with us, but it's always good- so far! May God richly bless you and yours. If you'd like to be on the Jackets for Jesus email update- let me know. If you'd like to make a year end donation to Siempre- there was never a better time.
siempre,
 Eric Denton
Siempre Para Los Ninos
email:
eric@siemprekids.org
phone:
951-689-5806
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