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Greetings from Siempre
what's going on...
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March 19, 2009
- Vol 4, Issue 3
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this week at siempre
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online
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Violence and bloodshed in Mexico
have made daily headlines... many of you have
emailed me with concerns about the safety of
Siempre and even personal travel plans to Mexico...
most days look something like the photos here.
We've still been spared any contact with the conflict
between rival drug leaders- for which we are thankful.
Mexico has federal police and the military in place on
every major roadway- it's impossible to miss. The US
is just completing a new, high tech border wall and
roadway that will humble the old concrete wall of E
Germany... Siempre even has a new wall. The
violence is real... the efforts to bring peace and
security are everywhere but most importantly- God
continues to keep the door open, in fact He's opening
new doors at an incredible pace for our work with Siempre Para
Los Ninos. Thanks so much for your prayers.
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That's Enrique- our first and oldest boy -
hard at work. Just 13 when he came to us, he turns
18 next week and was able to put those manly
muscles of his to work helping carry concrete - mixed
on the ground - back and forth to laborers on the new
wall. We've needed some kind of wall for years- and
with the current climate in TJ -now seemed like a
good time to get the job done. Soon, the blocks will
be topped with decorative and protective steel
sections and the large gaps will hold strong and
secure gates- keeping children in and many problems
out. The work has been good for Enrique- he's been
struggling to figure out what he'd like to do with the
rest of his life... doesn't seem to want to work at
school... doesn't want to get a job... dreams of his
father - who'd never visited in 5 years -coming to the
rescue. Alejandro, Siempre's director, spent days
trying to locate his dad and amazingly enough not only
found him but also persuaded him to come and visit.
One can only imagine the reunion. Now, he's not
returned and balancing whether he's willing to take
this young adult son into his life...and Enrique is no
longer so sure he's ready to leave Siempre. Keep
everyone in your prayers- he's more fortunate than so
many of our kids -he has family that's been found...
might be more devastating in some ways to know
they're out there and just unwilling to take you in... pray
for Alejandro and all our leaders as they guide this
young man through these big decisions that will
impact the rest of his life.
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What Can Happen in 10 Years?
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Ten years ago this Memorial Day
Weekend, Central
Community went on our first "build" in Mexico.
Tuesday afternoon- at the end of an amazing and
frustrating morning across TJ, we decided to drop in
on the first two homes we built ten years ago May.
Amazingly, both families were home and greeted us in
joy as if they'd been waiting. Just 28 of us went that
first year and we built 2 little homes in one of TJ's
poorest neighborhoods. The family in the picture was
living under a tree. Mom was trying to raise two girls
and two boys on her own- working all day while the
kids fended for themselves. Ten years later, the little
ones are her grandchildren. Oscar and Caesar the
boys, now in their 20's, are both working and live on
their own. The oldest daughter - in black -still lives
with mom along with her sister Nidia- 7 when we built,
now the cute 17 year old in the red t-shirt. Mom took
me into her home and showed me building materials
she's saving - in the rafters and under her bed - until
she has enough to add on in back. We laughed and
cried together... one little home has changed their
lives. 8 years ago we built the church at Siempre-
that's now the heart of a community. 5 years ago we
built Siempre Para Los Ninos that now houses over
30 children and is working hard to open her arms to
36 new infants in the months to come. What can
happen in 10 years? Lives can be changed. Our
lives... and the lives of those we touch. What do you
plan on doing with the next decade of your life? We
were created to be a blessing. At the dedication of
that first little house I'm standing in front of, after our
prayer and presentation of the keys, mom... a decade
younger and surrounded by little ones... stepped
forward and began to pray for us in Spanish. She
said: "Thank you so much Father for these people...
for our new home... watch over them, continue to
bless them that they can continue to be a blessing."
I'll never forget how moved I was- looking back, it's
easy to see that her simple prayer has been
answered. So many homes built, a thriving church,
Siempre... and most importantly a growing vision to
rescue children that society has cast aside... God's
been so very, very good to us... He's allowed us to
share the fruit of our work... and it's just beginning...
you're invited. Your decision can change the rest of
your life... and the lives of so many others.
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Thanks so much for your love,
understanding and support in the unexpected death of
my dad last month. We miss him... and it's hard to
imagine we've lost both mom and dad in the last 9
months... but we have Hope in Christ and for this we
are grateful. I know many of you have wondered if
we're still going down each week and the answer is
yes... it's just taken some time to get back to writing...
but like dad- I'm "rebuking it!" Thanks also to those of
you who gave in Dad's name towards our work at
Siempre. He took me on so many trips into the
churches of Baja and my love for the church and
people of Mexico comes directly from his open heart
for the poor. Ken's working in Mexico today- we've
been there everyday this week... we have so much to
do as we prepare for Memorial Day Weekend. When
you can take a day away from your busy schedule- let
us know, there's work to do. We're also going down
this Wednesday - you're invited - you're needed... now,
more than ever.
siempre,
Eric M. Denton
Siempre Para Los Ninos
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