 |
|||
|
|||
 |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||
Sharing God has gotten a bad wrap
over the centuries. War, anger, racism, sexist
attitudes, violence that explodes still in our daily news
all seem like a multitude of good reasons to keep our
mouths shut when it comes to our faith. Then there
are
the living examples, like Hernan, the little guy in the
green, with the big smile. His father is Alejandro,
Siempre's director, and a father figure to all our kids.
Alejandro patiently teaches, raises up and serves all
the children as if they were each his own, all the while
keeping his arms open to Hernan, his only child, who
lives in the midst of Siempre's kids. Instead of
treating the other children with animosity, bitterness,
anger or some other self righteous attitude, Hernan
has learned to enjoy living with a large, diverse family
from many different backgrounds. Mostly kids who'll
never know or ever meet their dad's. He's learned to
be
open and loving with his father's love- it's not like he
could change his dad's love -so he doesn't fight it...
he's learned to share. I've learned some powerful
lessons in love watching Hernan grow up and pray I
can share our Father's love with as much grace as
he's shared the love of his dad.
We're proud of our staff and their
families. Please keep them in your prayers,
they face challenges each day that we'll not even hear
about. Some of the little kids are sick again, needing
special attention. While our new building goes up,
much still needs to be done to complete Alejandro
and Aracelys' apartment. Vacations are coming up for
our pastor and director's and their families. The time
off is well earned and much needed- but it's hard for
them to leave their cares behind -they love each of the
kids they serve and time away to visit family and
friends is also additional strain on their finances when
both families are establishing new households and
the expenses that can surround filling in our dreams.
They all need your prayers... that's not even listing the
large number of visitors who'll come to serve at
Siempre this summer. So much good stuff... Keep
them in your prayers. Our Father cares for each of
them and it's the job of every family to lift each other up.
|
||||
|
||||
|
||
Surrounded by kids she loves... it's not
as if Lynn hasn't had enough of kids in her life, she
has four of her own, now grown... she could be
spending her Wednesday's on the beach or next to the
pool- instead, most every Wednesday afternoon you
can find her with us on her way to Siempre. Her family
all worked on our original building. Her husband Mark
was our first nail gun casualty several years ago... he
survived. Lynn broke her tail bone playing with the
kids last month- but she still sat on it this week,
painful I'm sure, so she could share her love with kids
who've been abandoned by their own. Because of her
faithfulness, everyone at Siempre knows and loves
Lynn. When she's not with us, we have to tell
everyone why and where she is. She can be counted
on and that's what's sometimes needed most when
countless others seem to not to care at all. Lynn's
part of our promise to rebuild hope and love in the
young lives of those who've already lost too much.
"How Can I Help?" The answer's
simple: get involved. Write Siempre into your
schedule: once a week, once a month, once a quarter,
once a year... how much help can you be? How much
do you want your investment to return? Whether it's
through regular financial support or regular visitation
or both- you're needed... this job is far too big for
anyone to do alone. Our Father didn't create His
Family to abandon one another but to love, care and
support one another. Some of us have our own young
children with their own young demands- not allowing
us to go as often as we might like -keep a balance
and bring your kids when you can. My dad took us to
Mexico to serve. This Father's Day, when I look at the
work of Siempre
Para Los Ninos and all the kids
without loving, supportive father's, I can't help but think
of the love my dad placed in my heart so many years
ago and how it's still being played out in the lives of so
many kids. Thanks Dad. You can do the same for
your kids. If you're too far away to join us for a
Wednesday or a weekend, write a check, write us into
your weekly budget, leave us in your will. Siempre's a
legacy we'll share into eternity. Siempre means
always. And don't forget... before you trade off that old
car- Siempre needs your old car, boat, etc... we use
them or sell them. One family donated their mini-van,
another family bought it and now Siempre receives
$200- of support a month out of the deal. Good for
everyone! Little gifts make a HUGE difference when
poverty's in the picture. Simple things... a friend
brought hot dogs for me to carry down yesterday... they
were received with open arms. Together, this Father's
Day, we can make a difference in our family, that
honors Our Father... How? Write Siempre into your
schedule for the rest of your life... it's how long we'll be
raising children... we can make a difference.
|
||
|
|
|
|
The unfolding of a miracle... we're just in the first days of our work with these children... and these children are just the first of thousands that will follow in the years to come. We're on the ground floor. I'm excited for the work that's being accomplished, the lives that are being changed. I'm heart broken by the number of children still living so far outside the warmth, love, security and well being of Siempre. God's given us a great vision- big enough to reach out around the world to children everywhere -but it has to begin somewhere. The miracle is just beginning to unfold at Siempre. The miracle is just beginning to take form in our hearts. My prayer for you and those you love is that you jump in with both feet. The prospect of missing the miracle is too great a burden for anyone to carry. Our Father has a great plan in store for His children... together... we're His Family. I hope you'll join me on this greatest of adventures, you're needed, now, more than ever.
siempre,
 Eric Denton
Siempre Para Los Ninos
email:
eric@siemprekids.org
phone:
1-951-689-5806
|
|
