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Kid's don't come to Siempre because
everything's going great in their lives. The kids smile
in our weekly group photo because they have a place
where they belong after losing whatever home they
shared with their families before they came to us.
Last week two of our kids were surrendered to DIF,
Mexico's version of child protective services, in order to
protect them from remaining family members, people
who had done them harm, because they were
pursuing them at Siempre and making legal threats to
our directors. This week, both children were returned,
by DIF, after spending a somewhat frightening seven
days in shelter homes. The kids were welcomed
back with open arms by Alejandro, Aracelys, Bianca
and Brenda- greeted with love by all the other kids -
and embraced warmly by us Wednesday afternoon.
Sometimes it may seem like we go overboard on all
the attention paid to the emotional needs of the
children, but we can't begin to imagine the insecurity,
pain and turmoil being pulled from one place to the
next, caught between dangerous family members and
safe shelter, placed in one home, then the next,
begins to inflict on these kids. It's gratifying, to say to
least, to see them return with huge smiles and
anxious to pick up the routines of daily living in the
promise of Siempre- always -always a warm, safe
place to live, always good meals to eat, always safe
love and attention, always home. We couldn't do it
without you. Your love, your financial support, your
prayers keeps our doors open.
General Inspection! What fun. None of
us enjoy being evaluated or scrutinized to see if
we're "good enough." Our staff and facilities at
Siempre faced exactly that Wednesday morning as
DIF workers came for inspection to make sure we
were safe harbor for these two kids, who had now
become wards of the state. Siempre, staff and
facilities, passed with flying colors. DIF inspectors left
glowing remarks in our guest book complimenting
and thanking everyone involved for a great home and
great personnel. They returned both children, making
Siempre their legal guardians and leaving all the
official paper work in Alejandro's hands. It was easy
to see that a weight had been lifted from everyone's
shoulders and that they now had a new sense of pride
and rightly so. They were DIF or Mexican Government
approved, the highest standard in their nation,
entrusted to watch over kids who had been wards of
the state, even if only for one week. God's good and
it's great to have both kids back in the loving arms of
Siempre.
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"How do you do it?" a friend asked last
week after receiving our Siempre update. It gave us
the opportunity to talk about things close to my heart;
Central Community, Jackets for Jesus, the kids of
Siempre, our work in Kenya. I had the chance to invite
someone new to share this great opportunity God's
given us. Most of all, I was reminded of how much I'm
not doing: how many billions of children are sleeping
hungry, cold, without shelter, far from the promise of
Siempre right now. The kid in the picture is one of a
couple of hundred children that filled a little soccer
stadium for a showing of The Jesus Film last month.
He's involved in a soccer league for street children of
Narok, Kenya. A young man named Peter has given
his life to serving and raising these children up. He
doesn't have the backing of the government, he barely
has a roof over his own head. so shamelessly he
asks anyone who'll listen, to join him in his crusade to
help these lost children. He's one voice, crying out
against the darkness, unapologetically, in the hope
that someone will listen, that someone will come
along side him, that someone will help rescue these
kids. Peter's one of my heroes. Unsung and
overlooked by the world, he continues. He works with
just one arm- and never mentions it -he's adapted to
his loss so well that many never notice. When I asked
him why he's working to give children who live on the
street a soccer league, when they don't even have
food to eat or a roof over their head, he said: "I just
love football. I'm a footballer!" "How do I do it?" I
remember Peter. He's out there without the loving
support system I have and he's giving 100% for the
kids overlooked by his community. We need about a
billion more Peter's in the world. Someday, I hope you
can meet him.
Part of my hope for Siempre is that
someday our kids
will grow up to have a heart like Peter's. They'll know
and see the need in their own community and want to
meet it. They'll remember the model for living they've
learned at Siempre Para Los Ninos and be able to
repeat it. They'll be quick to realize that they've
received a blessing and do their best to be a blessing
to those still outside the promise and protection of
siempre. We're not there yet. Society, for the most
part, is neglecting her children. It's easy to get
depressed and feel like there's nothing we can do and
give up. Every Wednesday afternoon at Siempre I'm
reminded that hope is alive- and if it's alive for the kids
of Siempre Para Los Ninos, it's alive for kids hurting,
hungry and living alone all around the world. "How do
I do it?" A better question is "Why do I do it?" To
remember that hope is alive, there's a practical
solution to the problems that plague society and kill
our children and that I'm part of God's Plan and
Purpose in it all. Really, I can't imagine why our cars
aren't full every Wednesday. I need the homecoming
more than you'll ever know. I'm so thankful for the
opportunity to go. We always drive away with smiles
on our faces. I've been smiling since we left
yesterday. What a great home coming to hope. I need
it!
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Together, we built Siempre. Literally, every nail, ever paint stroke, every bit of our work has been done by us, working together. Thanks so much for your continued support. As our work grows, greater than we ever imagined, we need to continue to work together for the good of these kids. You'll be blessed, I promise. 3 Important Ways You Can Get Involved! 1. Siempre's Massive Rummage Sale! This Saturday morning, the 17th. Friday night the 16th, for you serious shoppers, there's a presale, tickets are $5- Saturday morning, a pancake breakfast, cooked by Siempre's own Theresa Burns- and of course, the sale. If you still have stuff to donate- get it here quickly. I'm in OC with a trailer, Friday mid-day, to pick up some stuff from friends, might have room for a little more. It's a no clothes sale, so just the "good junk" please. Already have a cool truck and other nice donations- don't hold back! Then come out an enjoy the morning at Central Community. 2. Siempre's Golf Tournament - our first! April 28th is coming up fast and we need golfers! Invite all your friends and make sure they get registered - just to put our hearts at ease. We're also having a post tourney dinner and auction- have some cool items donated- can always use more. Get amazingly creative and generous and we'll auction it off. Then come and bid generously. 3. Memorial Day Weekend! It's how we get it all done each year. This year we're building our biggest project yet. Community meeting room, new kitchen, a place big enough for all the kids to eat together, medical and dental center and a new home for Pastor Israel and his family. Whooh! It's a BIG building, I've seen the plans. We're going to need every one of you to spend the weekend with us. Register today! It's always for the children and every penny from our fund raisers goes to help pay for this project. They need to be successful!
siempre,
 Eric Denton
Siempre Para Los Ninos
email:
eric@siemprekids.org
phone:
1-951-689-5806
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