One of Alejandro's plugs of grass- in Siempre's front yard

Humble beginnings...

Everything comes from them.  Each lesson we learn as Siempre Para Los Ninos grows comes from our humble beginnings.  The property we built on once stored garbage and junked autos.  Today, the kids are looking forward to having a lawn to play on- it'll be the only one in our little village.  The dirt patch in front of Siempre - where the children run, play and have made the most out of a hot summer - has grass growing.  It doesn't look like much... yet.  But compared to the few plugs Alejandro stuck in the rock hard dirt several months ago, it's beginning to look like a field of emerald.  Well, they're growing anyway.  When rain comes this winter, hopefully the grass will thrive and hold back some of the mud that has plagued us each year.  Next summer the kids will be playing croquet and putting on the lawn!

The big view of Siempre - if you look closely you can spot our grass

We have a team to build our apartment!  Our directors have lived in one small room, all three of them, without any place to get away, since we first built.  Their son Hernon, shares the room, and all 3 of them use the same bathrooms, showers, kitchen, etc... as our children.  It's literally a 24/7 job... and it takes a toll.  Now we have a team from Saddleback Church that will be building a second story apartment on part of Siempre's remaining flat roof for Alejandro and his family.  Two small bedrooms, a private bath, a kitchen, a small living room... things we take for granted each time we enter our homes- will now be theirs to enjoy occasional evenings of privacy and family time.  God is Great!

The addition has two purposes: 1. to give our directors a more private and appropriate living space, and 2. to make room for new employees in their old room.  We now have children needing to get into Siempre.  However, our staff is pushed to their limit.  After much discussion we've decided that with an additional couple on staff we can welcome more children.  Our goal is to house 36 children before we need to build again.  36 kids is a lot of work.  The new apartment will allow us to hire the staff we need.  It's a critical expansion that will significantly improve the quality of life for our children and staff.

Now all we need to do is pay for it!  There's never been a better time to make an extremely generous gift to Siempre Para Los Ninos.  The cost of materials has been estimated at $10,000- and it's been my experience that we've never stayed within budget.  Not once.  God has provided the builders.  I know He'll provide the money.  Some of us could donate the entire $10,000- and never miss it.  For others, our gifts may need to be much smaller, but the sacrifice and love provides the same protection for children at risk in Tijuana.  You can give through the www site - by mail - or give me a call.  If you want to give $10,000- I want to have lunch with you just to say thanks!  I'll buy! 

Staff Kids - Pastor Israel's daughter Marian and Alejandro and Aracelli's son, Hernan- read together

For those of you that have never been to Siempre - it's a small campus - with Siempre on one side, our play yard and Pastor Israel's house in the middle - and our church on the other side, facing Siempre.  Marian and Hernan are reading on the patio of the church.  It's a simple building, auditorium that seats over 100, several class rooms, Israel's office, a lobby... all the things one would expect in a church.  And it's part of the every day life of each child at Siempre.  Our children are the largest block of members at the church and they're treated in love and compassion by the rest of the membership.  It's the life they never imagined when everything went wrong and they were left with us.  They now have three families: the one they were born into, (where something went horribly wrong), their Siempre family, and their church family.  God has not forgotten them.

The side view of our church and it's parking lot- check out the brand new sign!

While we were there last Wednesday:

The boys played soccer in the street (Enrique, Jason and Antonio)

Alejandro and Naphtali waited their turns to play

Fabian and Brenda bounced off the walls

Donna Paula stayed in the shade

Cynthia celebrated her 12th birthday

And we finished our day with a group shot

God is blessing our work together at Siempre Para Los Ninos.  Only wish you had the opportunity to spend a Wednesday afternoon with us sometime soon.  Waiting in line at the border to enter the US and then on the long drive home- we tell stories about our different events and interactions while we were at Siempre.  Driving, I try to take it all in... listening to each story told in love... I marvel at the wonder of God who lets us participate in the lives of these kids.  We're being blessed- you can share the blessings - we need them, now, more than ever.

Siempre,

Eric M. Denton

eric@siemprekids.org

5623 Arlington Ave.

Riverside, CA 92504

951-689-5806, office

951-907-9100, cell

PS

We're planning our 2007 Africa trip.  The end of February.  Lord willing we'll be working in the Masai villages of south central Kenya.  Our advance team will be there finalizing everything the last two weeks of October... I can't wait!  Keep us in your prayers... and join us this coming February.  The need is beyond describing.

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 Para Los Ninos.  Donations can also be auto deducted from your bank account or from your credit card.  Don't hesitate to call with questions. 

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