Thursday, November 20, 2008
Central Community Christian Fellowship
Cinthia and Juan Daniel
Building Family
at the heart of siempre
Feb 6, 2008 - Vol 3, Issue 5
This Week at Siempre
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Alejandro and Aracelys

It's what every child coming to Siempre wants most: family... and Siempre's leaders have a God given ability to love and welcome children into the household. It's a priceless gift. We had the opportunity to share it again last Wednesday.

Getting Personal
Brenda- translating a letter to Karla
Talking with our directors this week, I asked them some simple questions, "How many meals do you eat with the kids and how many in your apartment?" Little things about personal privacy that go overlooked by those of us who visit for an afternoon then return to our homes. Since Bianca's left for mission's work, Brenda's rarely had a day off, much less time to herself. It must be her youth that allows her to give so much to the kids, 24/7. Don't know when she finds time to slip into her room for a little peace and quiet... and even then... she's just between two big kids rooms and a bathroom! Alejandro and Aracelys, along with their son Hernan have their own apartment with it's kitchen but still not only take almost every meal with the children but help prepare and serve many of them as well. Family... and all the responsibilities that come with it... God's given Siempre amazing family leaders... they're in the process of searching out a couple of new workers to come along side them in their service for The Lord. Please keep their search in your prayers. We want them to find joy in their service to the children of Siempre... and it must be so easy to not just get exhausted... but during cold and flu season, watching over 27 children, just the three of them... enough to wear someone down. Pray that God keeps them healthy and strong and sends the new workers to ease their load. If you're looking for work... it comes with room and board!
Expanded Horizons
playing around
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.
Simple "Mom" Love
Linda helping Louis and Moises with division
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.

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,

 

 

Pastor Eric and Fabian on a Cold Afternoon
Eric M. Denton
Siempre Para Los Ninos

phone: 1-951-689-5806