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"Christina, Petunia." It's what Debi
always called her and she was one of the real live
wires in our under 5 year old set. Danna Paula, was a
chatter box with enough energy to power entire
community's. She never cared if you spoke Spanish
or not: from the time we arrived she'd start speed
talking- non-stop 4 year old cute that needed no
translation... they were a couple of the leaders in our
large population of little girls... and now they're both
gone. It's a good thing, we hope. All the details aren't
necessary- there were legal issues and our directors
stood up for the kids every step of the way.
Regardless, it's tough to see them go and we pray
only for their well being in the days and weeks to
come. It's been made very clear that the doors of
Siempre remain open to them.
It's hard for us to let go of kids... harder
still on each of the kids who remain behind. When a
child needs to leave Siempre it's like an emotional
tsunami rolling through the entire household. The
children become family, caring for and loving one
another as if they'd been born into Siempre. Then
someone's gone and kids revert back to that little
empty stare they had on their first days with us. Can't
begin to imagine how they have to adapt, laying awake
at night, next to an empty bed: "Did she have a mother
who could take her?" "Why don't my parents come for
me?" "Do I have family that might come and take me
someday?" "Would I want to leave?" "Will I ever see
Christina, Danna Paula, Pedro, again?" Not the
questions most of us had to confront in our families.
The grieving was still evident, especially among the
little girls who seem fractured by the trauma. These
are the lessons we're learning... lessons one only
learns this way in the operation of a children's home.
So many blessings... when the challenges come...
like Wednesday afternoon... we did our best to love the
kids who remain and Debi held Vanessa and just let
her be sad.
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Bianca started serving at Siempre over
2 years ago at the age of 19. Now 21, she's given
everything to the service of our kids and has been the
kind of example that only God could have sent. Bianca
now feels the desire to continue her education. She
wants to spend her life in service to others and that's
just the kind of example we want to give our kids.
We're praying that when her training's complete she'll
choose to return to Siempre and help us build a
children's home that will be second to none.
I hope you'll join Debi and I with your
enthusiatic support of Bianca in her continuing
education. Call me with any questions. Our
investment in our leaders at Siempre is an investment
in each of our children for years to come.
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A group of friends are working at Siempre this weekend. The weather's going to be incredible and there's plenty of work to do. Pastor Israel and his family are living in the new home and it looks amazing. I'll be posting some really lousy video I took on Wednesday- you can see what a great job they've done on wrapping things up. Finally, if you'd like to spend some time this summer visiting the kids, painting, or putting together the dentist office- get on board... summer's going to be gone soon... and the kid's of Siempre need us now, more than ever.
siempre,
 Eric Denton
Siempre Para Los Ninos
email:
eric@siemprekids.org
phone:
1-951-689-5806
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