Jumping for Joy at Siempre Para Los Ninos!
What a great visit to Siempre!
From the moment we arrived it was evident that everyone was
enjoying a visit from several youth groups from North East Ohio. They're
staying in Tijuana this week and have brought a carnival/VBS atmosphere to
Siempre and the entire community. Using every speck of our property -
teens and their youth pastors were giving kids the time of their lives in what
was some of the most well organized chaos I've ever witnessed. I'd
brought a truck load of people and I think I can honestly say that though there
was little time for us to interact with the kids, with so many visitors on the
grounds, we were each deeply moved by the profound impact Siempre has had on
not only "our" children but also on young people and their leaders
from across the country. We never imagined it when we began the
work. We do so little to foster it. Yet God continues to send the
increase. He's too good.
The dunk tank
Youth pastor's can think of so many clever ways to interact with
kids and they'd pulled out all the stops Wednesday. They were using our
compressor to launch water filled plastic soda bottles hundreds of feet into
the air, doing a dunk tank in reverse where kids crowded under a net that held
a water balloon, connected to a hose, that burst at surprising times, and half
a dozen other fun activities. Kids from the community crowded onto our
property to share the fun with Siempre's kids - all were welcome.
Vanessa, Pastor Israel's wife and Siempre's cook, pulled me aside and said that
she was cooking dinner for over 100 people that night. Overwhelmed, yet
excited to play host to this international missions trip, every one of our
leaders was giving 100%.
Alejandro, Siempre's Director, holds up Arturo for a little face
painting in front of Pastor Israel's home.
Our workers are doing an amazing job of loving the kids in so many
ways. They'd cleaned Siempre brighter than I'd ever seen it, even our few
last concrete floors had been waxed! But their primary work is in loving
our kids and they've become absolute experts at extending the promise of
Siempre - always - building a community of hope and home for kids who have
neither when they arrive. We feel so fortunate to have them welcome us so
warmly each Wednesday. Few people visit Siempre Para Los Ninos without
experiencing a blessing.
Bianca and Brenda - two of our workers, along with Karla, one of
our girls, challenge a few guys from Ohio to caballo, (horse). More games
for the days to come are stacked against our fence. The poverty of our
surrounding community is never further than a peek into one our neighbors
yards. Little wonder we've been welcomed so warmly as we've done all we
can to lift up the families around us through the work of our church and the
generosity of Siempre's open doors to kids who might just want to stop in and
make friends. One of the pastor's from Ohio told me that before he went
into the ministry he'd been an architect. He marveled at our work and
it's practical design. He said, "After being here, I wish we could
use the little corner behind the church to build a lighthouse that could be
seen all the way to the ocean... because it seems like that's what this place
is, a lighthouse of hope." What a nice thing to say. Even
better, what a challenge to live by, that we might always be a "lighthouse
of hope" to every child abandoned into the bitter poverty and human
depravity abusing little children at risk in Tijuana. I couldn't help but
think of those of you that continue to support Siempre Para Los Ninos.
You keep the doors open, the light burning... We need you. Thanks
for your generosity of spirit. Wish each of you could have been with us
this week.
Pastor Israel leads some of the kids in prayer
I'm no whiz with the digital camera I keep in my pocket while at
Siempre. We had a great group photo to close the day- a HUGE crowd of all
the kids and all our guests -I took pictures with cameras from all the
leaders... apparently forgot to take a picture with my own! Sorry, would
have made a great closing shot. But in all the fun and new friends, it
was a blessing to watch Pastor Israel, step up, gather our kids around and lead
them in prayer. The kids bowed their heads, repeated a simple prayer in
Spanish and then headed back to the games. God's love is at the heart of
all we do at Siempre. He's The One who called us to this work. He's
The Light of Hope that shines in all we do. There are so many kids still
living in the heart break and despair of poverty just across our border.
We'll never out grow the job of loving kids in crisis.
My wife Debi and Christine, our newest child, "race"
together
Thanks for those of you that have shown an interest in the
orphanage for sale in San Quintin, Mexico. It ends up that it's much
larger than we had thought. The realtor got back to us and it's
approximately 50 acres overlooking the bay- they want $250,000-. And I
guess they want to sell the parcel intact. So until God says so, or until
someone comes up with the money, we're keeping it on the back burner. An
incredible opportunity... still waiting to see if it's our opportunity.
Keep it in your prayers. If God can get a bunch of kids from North East
Ohio to spend a week supporting the kids of Siempre - He can get things in
order for us to expand our work to San Quintin. We'll wait on Him.
Thanks again for your loving support - next week I'm taking the
kids of Siempre fishing! What a great job!
Siempre,
Eric M. Denton
951-689-5806, office
951-907-9100, cell
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. Mail your
donation direct and Make checks payable to Siempre
I'm open to speak to
your church, club, group or business concerning Siempre support.
If you'd prefer not to
receive our weekly update, let me know. No problem.
Thanks so much to those of you who
forward this to your friends, family and associates.