Thursday, November 20, 2008
Central Community Christian Fellowship
out for a walk
What We Do On Wednesdays
a walk around the block
July 31, 2008 - Vol 3, Issue 16
This Week at Siempre
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Dear Julia,
wagon rides

We had a great time Wednesday afternoon... not that we did anything special... just enjoyed visiting the children and hanging out at Siempre. That's Tom and Marilyn Barker, who spent much of the afternoon pulling kids around the "block" in Siempre's wagon. Everyone seemed ready just to make the most of a lazy afternoon together. God is too good.

A Busy Week at Siempre
getting creative
Visitors and special events have filled the last week around Siempre. Hard for the children to get bored and difficult for our workers to rest- especially with our directors just wrapping up their vacation. It's been busy around the household. Pastor Jay- longtime friend of Siempre brought his group from Florida to build a house with YWAM and visit Siempre. Over the weekend, the church, Siempre and many family and friends from both near and far, gathered to celebrate Pastor Israel and Vanessa's 10th wedding anniversary. I sat Wednesday and looked at every photo from the big day as they told me the story of both tender and funny moments. The older kids surrounded us for the retelling of the weekend. Looking in their eyes, watching how they look to the Godly example Pastor Israel and his family have given them, I couldn't help but quietly praise God... He's far better than we ever hope or imagine... way too good. Then Tuesday of this week a large church group from Minnesota dropped in to spend the day at Siempre, visiting our work, meeting the kids and spoiling them at play. They'd put colorful, temporary tattoos on the children: hearts, flowers, etc... and each of the kids displayed them in pride. Thought about how much longer the loving visit would last in each of their memories... once completely abandoned into the arms of Siempre, now loved by people from around the nation... once living in fear, desperation, hunger and completely lost... now secure, cared for and found safe at home at Siempre. Thanks so much to each of you who keep Siempre's kids in your prayers.
Special Visits
Aida's family
Aida hold's a special place in our hearts. The first girl left at Siempre- 4 years ago -she has scattered remnants of a family. A number of them have visited over the years- rarely with the same story of who's who... one constant remains- the woman with the long hair always claims to be Aida's mother. We've been told that none of them actually are blood related- that they had raised her off the streets -don't know the full story, not that it matters... the man Wednesday, saying he was the dad's a different man then I've met in the past... the pictures we take help some. Whatever their connection, they've stayed faithful to visiting a few times a year and it was nice to see them again Wednesday afternoon. The last time I saw them was two years ago Christmas day. They arrived in a taxi and stayed out on the street for the visit. Aida's now over 15 and starting to think about the rest of her life. Having faced some challenges in school, she's giving it another shot in September- we're praying for the best... it'd be so easy for Aida to quickly go down the wrong path. Please keep her in your prayers. Pray also for the other children who each day dream a mother, father or any family member they remember will drop in for a visit. Little Abbey's mom showed up last week for a little while and then had to leave again. The visits are a blessing... but also heart wrenching... for the children when they're left at Siempre again and for all the children who never receive visit and wonder why no one ever remembers them. Siempre's kids are precious and their peace is fragile... pray that The God of peace continues to protect them as they grow up in the loving embrace of Siempre.
Always an Adventure
ouch!
The healing touch... things were slowing down a bit as the afternoon grew late- so as we came in from our weekly bike ride with the older boys, I decided to spice things up by taking a hard fall... OUCH! It's the second or third time I've gone down on a Wednesday afternoon... I'm not the best advertisement for mountain bikes and riding cleats. Head over heels, landed on my back, then my knees, finally the stupid bike unclipped... I had a soda in each hand - we'd stopped at the store and I'd bought them for our workers- they didn't break - can't say the same for my skin or my ego. Quickly surrounded- like an old man -lifted off the ground, covered with good Mexican soil... much of it ground into my flesh as I began to bleed, to the delight of the boys and causing the girls to squirm- in a flash, Pastor Israel had the first aid kit and no matter how much I protested, refused to let me clean my own wound but went at it as if he were washing my feet. I'm spoiled beyond measure. Cynthia had the camera and was snapping photos like she was preparing for the evening news. Soon each of the kids wanted a picture next to Pastor Eric and his wound... I felt so stupid... can't even stay on a bike. Amazingly, the words of Paul came to me- about being a "fool for Christ." Thought, "Yep, I'm pulling that off no problem." You don't know what you're missing on Wednesday afternoons. It's always an adventure. Thanks Israel, for your servant heart and healing hand.

It's August and Labor Day Weekend is just around the corner. I'm going to spend it working at Samaritan House @ Siempre Para Los Ninos and you're invited. There's plenty of work to do- painting, tiling, electrical, some light construction... we're going to sleep in the house and eat whatever comes to mind. No cost to spend the weekend together- other than what you might spend on food -and no serious plan other than to get some work wrapped up as summer comes to a close. The missions house- upstairs, will be ready for painting -we had a dryer donated the other day... I was thinking the floor would look really cool in that bamboo pergo stuff... no clue what it cost or how to put it down... it's going to be that kind of weekend. If you're up for a couple of fun days together, why not plan on sharing the final days of summer with us at Siempre. If that's too much of an investment- we're going down this Wednesday afternoon and you're invited- you're needed, now more than ever.

 

siempre,
Pastor Eric and Fabian on a Cold Afternoon
Eric Denton
Siempre Para Los Ninos

phone: 1-951-689-5806