Siempre Update 8.9.08

Central Community Christian Fellowship

this week at siempre

School starts for Siempre's kids in the days to come... it also begins for a number of the teachers who work with Siempre whenever they get the chance. It's not that they don't have enough to do while on summer break- so they slip away to Siempre... most are so busy I don't know how they keep up with their schedules... even still- many, like Theresa, a middle school teacher -who worked all last week with Central Community's VBS program, still planned dinner for our Siempre family- giving Vanessa the night off. She was cooking in love. Lynn slipped in to lend a hand- looks like they're having fun and it smelled like the household was in for a treat! Theresa's already planning the food for next Memorial Day Weekend- her mom, Jean - normally heads things up and drafts the rest of the family and her sphere of influence into the work. But a conflict has already come up for 2009 and Theresa had her thinking cap on- not just for dinner this week, but for our meals next year. Love's an art that requires planning to make each day just right. Who would have guessed when we first built the "big" kitchen and dining hall that it would host a famous "cow" artist, a bunch of kid artist and continue to extend the invitation to the art of loving, week in and week out. Wish each of you could have been with us Wednesday afternoon... loving in ways that only you can love... wish we could have stayed for dinner just to share the laughter, joy and excitement. Spaghetti's a rare treat at Siempre. Wednesday for lunch Vanessa had made fresh octopus ceviche... mmmmmm..... that's something you don't get in the school caf too often!

The Art of this Week

Each week is exceptional... some stand out for special reasons... our directors returned from vacation this week and after a fantastic visit with their families... after a long drive across the Sonoran desert... they were greeted home by Siempre's staff and especially Siempre's kids with open arms and open expressions of love. Alejandro, Aracelis and their son Hernan were missed because of the important part they play in the development of Siempre and in the life of each child. Each week any of our leaders is away can feel much longer to the children because of the love they share day in and day out. We get the opportunity to spend a couple of hours on Wednesdays... and they're a gift... a gift from God and a gift from Siempre's leaders who've learned the art of loving so many children, of managing the household, of keeping open arms to new needs as they arise and open hearts to new ministries we work on together. They've learned the art of this week- learning from last week - looking forward to the week to come - but primarily giving their best every day this week... what a gift that we have the opportunity to do the same. How long has it been since you've spent part of your week with the children of Siempre? You can join us this Wednesday. Lupita was thankful to have Aracelis back for her final weeks to help her get ready for back to school. Siempre's kids are nervous!

A stranger to Siempre... a man who paints cows... visited and left a lasting memory and a hope- an invitation to make art of their own -to express themselves in a way that will be appreciated -not ignored, definitely not something that will cause them to be abandoned. The gift of a stranger can be received in love because of wonderful workers like Brenda, Bianka and Consuelos... this week, a friend sent a bag filled with children's books- all in Spanish. The kids sat for an hour reading together- pulling books out of the bag one after the other -opening them eagerly and when they faced a challenge, simply turning to one of their loving care givers for help. When I asked Brenda how work was going, she smiled and said it was going "Well, very well." Asking if she was happy: smiling, she said, "Very happy." Couldn't help but think of all the needs Siempre fills, not the least of being that Brenda's happy. It's obvious that Moises is happy. All of it's an invitation- not just to famous strangers -but more importantly to people like you and me -people who already care, support, pray and love the children of Siempre. Your continued giving keeps the doors open not just for adventures in art and cooking but for shelter from the storms that come in life. Your prayers open young hearts and spirits to believe that God has a great plan even for children abandoned by their families... that they can be those children. Look at the joy in the eyes of little Brian in the big picture at the top of the page. His mother, Consuelos, is our newest worker- a gentle spirit who gives her all. She grew up an orphan... Brian, one of her children, lives among orphans knowing that his mother holds and cares for each of the kids with arms of experience not even he'll understand. Our televisions will be on non-stop in the days to come as we watch the Olympics... mine's on now... But the real gold in life will go to those who see gold in the eyes of children abandoned into poverty and heartbreak and step up and find happiness- joy - in the art of serving children- the art of one child at a time for God.

Siempre Para Los Ninos

phone: 1-951-689-5806