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The Call to build Siempre has brought
out the best in such a diverse group of leadership...
one that only God could have brought together. I like
this photo: that's Debi, my wife, from a small town in
NE Ohio, Alejandro, Siempre's director, in the middle
smiling, from a fishing town 1,000 kilometers south of
Siempre on Mexico's mainland and Aida, with a new
hair cut, Siempre's first girl, with us now almost 4
years, who came from the streets of Tijuana... all three
have played such an important part in the life and
growth of Siempre through our early years... and we're
still in the first inning. Aida came to us wounded, in
deep pain, not ready to trust anyone and wearing all
the wounds of insecurity of abandonment, grief,
confusion and loss. Learning to love her, share with
her, break through the barriers that at first seemed
impossible to breach, taught us lessons we'd need to
use over and over in the years to come. Sharing in her
growth has been a joy. She use to strike out by cutting
her hair in private- leaving a mess that was tough to
fix. This week we arrived to find her with a cute new
hair cut, looking so much like a young woman to be.
God continues to teach us through Aida. Alejandro,
our director, came to us with a profound call on his life
to serve. He's given his family, his time and his heart
to learn how to be a father to dozens and administrator
over the home. Wednesday afternoon he was working
with Tony, finding tools, materials, undergirding the
ongoing work... watching him go about his task
without hesitation or effort, I praised God for his part
in these early years of our work. And Debi, well Debi's
been there from day 1 doing what she does best-
suiting up, showing up, loving everyone and always
adding that extra something special she always
brings. Each Easter she picks out and buys new
dresses for each of the girls, they all wore them just
last week, as one small way to show her love. She
never misses a birthday with a cake or present and
always spends time with Aracelys, Vanessa, Brenda,
Bianca and now Consuelos with a little "girl" talk each
week. From NE Ohio, Puerto Libertad and the streets
of TJ, God's drawing an incredible group of people
together to share the work. We're looking for a new
staff member to help us step up to the next level-
taking over my job as fundraiser in the US and ready
to live in their own place at Siempre teaming together
with Pastor Israel, Alejandro and the rest of our
leadership... it doesn't really matter where you're
from... what matters is where you want to go with the
rest of your life. If you know someone ready to enter
the mission adventure of a lifetime with a group of
incredible people- have them contact me.
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I've always loved this picture... it was
taken at sunset, after a long days work, as we all
settled in to eat- outside, on van seats, work benches,
the ground... in front of the first church we built. Some
of you were there. The little church was taken down a
couple of years ago to build the new, larger church at
Siempre... but that first small step of faith is still
making an impact on lives around the world. Some of
the people in this photo joined us in Kenya, to build
among the Pokot in a region hot and desolate. Today,
this email reaches to Kenya and many other
countries. This Memorial Day Weekend we're building
a wonderful dorm building, showers and restrooms,
dining hall and kitchen to house visiting missions
trips for years to come. No more sleeping on the
floor! Work groups will build houses, share in
community efforts, continue to improve the grounds
and facilities of Siempre and the church and begin
projects we've yet to imagine. We'll also build a home
for our new missionary- someone to travel the US and
carry the vision of Siempre into churches and
communities waiting to hear the exciting stories of
rescue, healing and life change as children continue
to be lifted out of the heartbreak and loss of
devastating family destruction, death and
abandonment that's so quickly played upon by pimps,
human traffickers and the growing child porn industry
in TJ. We're still in the first inning of our work in
Mexico. Only God knows what's yet to come. You
have the opportunity to share in this exciting time... to
help us establish a work that will outlive us all in the
success of young lives, once thrown on the garbage
dump of life, rescued and redeemed to new horizons
of not just survival but success and leadership in their
community. Our families can share in God's Great
Solution for healing the hearts of humanity. Memorial
Day Weekend, 2008's not the only way, but it's one
way, one already at work in the lives of so many, we
can begin to make a difference together. You can
register here. 3,000 sq. ft. in two days... it's a
HUGE
task... and we need everyone! And we don't sleep on
the floor OR eat dinner outside anymore :-) Join us for
a life changing weekend.
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Siempre's 2nd Annual Golf Tournament - Saturday, April 26th, is almost here. You can register to golf, volunteer or donate at this link. A great group of dedicated workers have been giving hundreds of hours to making sure we have another successful event. In this tight economy, every golfer and every donation counts. You, your business, church or family can sponsor a tee or donate an incredible gift towards the auction. (it's all a tax break) Even if you don't golf, you'll want to join us for dinner and the auction, just to bid on some of the amazing items donated. You can still donate a weekend at your vacation home, a flight in your plane, a day on your boat, a picnic lunch with Brad Pitt... I guess you have to know Brad Pitt first... it all goes for the kids and we're going to have a great time. We also will be heading back down to Siempre this Wednesday afternoon- medical clinic Wednesday -you're always invited -you're always 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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