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What we offer on Wednesday
afternoons is an invitation to a new and more far
reaching dream of what's possible for our children to
accomplish with their lives. Dr. George Ricks was
with us for his monthly medical clinic... and he's got
Siempre's little clinic looking like a well equipped
urgent care and pharmacy these days... after seeing
his patients, including me, sick again! George, just
days back from a medical missions trip to India, took
all the kids upstairs to watch the video from his trip.
He told the story of the video as Pastor Israel
translated for the children. I couldn't help but wonder
how many of TJ's kids, fighting poverty, get the
opportunity for free medical care followed up by an
invitation to experience the needs of children in other
3rd world nations. Their eyes grew as the video
showed market places that looked similar to those in
Mexico, Kenya or other parts of the world. They
laughed as motorcycles, holding a dad and his kids,
dodged cows and sped through crowded streets and
somewhere, deep within, a new image of their reality,
of all that's possible for their lives began to emerge.
That's Becca and her boyfriend Mark clowning around
for the camera during the video. Becca's fluent in
Spanish and nearing college graduation. Mark's a
college grad seeking a job as a firefighter. They spent
Wednesday afternoon with the kids; blowing bubbles,
making faces, playing... just having fun... never
realizing they were part of a new and expanded
horizon for the children of Siempre. God has blessed
us with more than affluence and influence: He's given
us a wealth of experience, education and insight that
we now have the opportunity to share with the children
of Siempre. They'll never forget the video of India, the
stories "their" doctor brought home. They're waiting to
learn more about what's possible in life... from you.
It's one of the main reasons we keep going back each
Wednesday.
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That's Linda, great friend of Siempre,
great mom, grandma and long time principal's
secretary; recently retired, who now has a little more
time to spend at Siempre. Wednesday afternoon we
pulled in just in time to interrupt everyone's
homework... no wonder the kid's love us. Louis was
having problems with his division and Linda jumped
right in and started to walk him through each step of
the process, showing him how it's done and taking joy
as the light began to go off in his head. Louis is one
of those kids who'd be a challenge in any family.
Throw him into the mix at Siempre- all that energy- all
those questions- and he can probably seem all too
much from time to time. I'm guessing Alejandro,
Aracelys, Brenda and all the older kids were happy to
see Linda step up to the plate and put her arm around
him and get to work in love... it's what mom's do... but
it's not what Louis's mom did... she abandoned him...
then wanted him back- set him out on the streets
where he was abused for almost a year and then
brought him back to Siempre to leave him one final
time. The "simple" mom's love must seem like a
mysterious gift from God to Louis... and it is. Every
child at Siempre has their own story. Some more
heartbreaking than others... all of them end up with
them living with us. Please keep the children, workers
and those of us who love and support Siempre in your
prayers. Pray there's enough love to reach out to every
child.
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Simple love... it's only simple if we've got plenty of it... enough to shelter and feed us, to provide for our education, to sit with us when we're confused and to help us understand... there's so little that's simple about it to those living without it. Your financial support keeps our doors open, thank you. Your prayers guide, direct and protect us- don't stop. And to those of you that have made room in your hearts for the children and work of Siempre and have scheduled visits: on Wednesdays, weekends or Memorial Day to share your life... thanks so much... it might seem a simple thing, but to abandoned children, it might feel like everything they need to get by for one more day. We're going this Wednesday afternoon, we'd love to have you join us, you're invited... you're needed, now, more than ever.
siempre,
 Eric M. Denton
Siempre Para Los Ninos
email:
eric@siemprekids.org
phone:
1-951-689-5806
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