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Enrique turned 16! He was one of the
first kids to ever be dropped off with us when we
opened our doors, now he's becoming a young man.
He's been working harder in school, hoping to
continue on now that he's at an age when many kids
are put into the work place. It was also Moises, 11th
birthday. Moises got a foot ball - Enrique, new slacks
and a shirt. Both gifts were quickly embraced. Moises
is always ready to play and Enrique is becoming
quite "the ladies man" and immediately showered and
put on the new clothes. Apparently he's very popular
with all the girls in his youth group at church. Can't
imagine all the things that must be going through his
mind with each birthday. I'm guessing one of them
is: "How long will I be able to live at Siempre?" We
want to be able to support each of our kids until they
complete their education and establish themselves in
the community. We're their family and we realize that
without our continued support they could quickly fall
right back down into the problems they've been given
the opportunity to step out of. We're raising them to be
leaders. Pray that our workers will be able to guide
and direct Enrique in the way he should go as these
next two years go quickly by.
Never a birthday party- Pastor Israel
and I were outside as the kids were singing and
sharing cake inside. In the corner of the yard, all
alone, Juan Carlos, 2nd oldest of the 4 new children,
sat alone, playing with a toy. We called to him and told
him there was cake inside. He quickly jumped up to
run and join the others. Israel stopped and asked him
if he'd ever had a birthday party before? It took some
explaining before he really understood what Pastor
Israel was talking about and then he said, "No. No
parties. The few times their birthdays had been
remembered, a grandfather had come by with some
food, or maybe a gift for the family, but never a party." I
thought to myself: "This kid's going to love Siempre - it
seems that we have birthday cake every week!" It's
only the little ones, and the one's celebrating who
even seem to get excited any more- it's a whole lot like
home.
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Easter was wonderful for the kids of
Siempre. Ted and Karen Springer along with
Tony and Karen Springer celebrated Easter services
with our Siempre family. Ted and Karen put together
Easter baskets for each of the kids, along with a group
of helpers from Central Community and made certain
that every child was made to feel special for this
special day. If not for the involvement of great people
like this, loving these kids, soon, Siempre would
become a little building in an overlooked community
fighting to get by. Instead, kids are loved, futures are
dreamed of, birthdays are celebrated and Easter is a
time of joy. Because of you and your financial support,
our doors remain open to mother's ready to abandon
their children to the frightening realities of poverty just
across our border- just minutes away from our door
steps. Your monthly sponsorship of our children and
the work of Siempre Para Los Ninos is priceless.
Thanks is not a big enough word. If I could give you
anything- I'd pray that you could feel the arms of hope
that wrapped around my neck as I lifted these new
little members of Siempre into my arms and
welcomed them in love. God has blessed us to be a
blessing. May He continue to richly bless you today.
Someone Else is who we always
figure's going to take care of the big issues in the
world. I've discovered that amazingly generous
people with HUGE hearts let incredible opportunities
slip by because they assume "someone else" is
taking care of it. Someone else can never do the job
that God's given you to do. It happens because of
you. A few amazing opportunities in the weeks to
come- opportunities that need every one of us to give
1000% towards are:
Siempre's Golf Tournament!
Dinner and Auction follow it. We still need golfers -
diners - and people to come to the auction. We've got
some amazing items ready for you to bid on. Check
out our www site for info.
Memorial Day Weekend! This is how it
all got started - this is where we build it all. 3,000 sq ft
in just two days! Don't miss the miracle. Great rooms
at The Marriott. Incredible food. Lots of hard work.
One amazing mission - to keep the doors open for
children living in poverty. Join Us! You deserve the
time away. It may not be about you- but it all
happens because of you.
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A prostitute walked the little dirt road in front of Siempre as we left this week. Siempre's in a small community and prostitutes don't walk the streets. Our daughter Julia, 25 was with us, she asked Aracelys, one of our director's for some background and was told "the woman's not right- but she's been wanting to drop off her child, but she's afraid, so she walks around Siempre- watching." Julia went out and spoke to her; visibly moved when she got in the car, she said, "The woman has the dirtiest hands I've ever seen- and I've worked in Africa!" She's 23, has lost 2 children to poverty and wants to save her remaining child. But she's an addict, a prostitute and Lord only knows what trauma her 6 year old daughter's already lived through. We're there for both of them. Pastor Israel works with the addicts and recovery groups in our little community. I know his church would open their arms to mom- if she'd only come in. Until then, Siempre's ready to rescue her little girl and save her from the degradation and depravity that captured her siblings. You make it happen. Your prayers. Your love. Your support may very well be this little girls last hope. Lift them both up in your prayers. We may not be able to save the world- but we can rescue this one little girl. She can join the four new little boys that moved in last weekend. Your loving support is making a difference, now, more then ever.
siempre,
 Eric Denton
Siempre Para Los Ninos
email:
eric@siemprekids.org
phone:
1-951-689-5806
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