Siempre Kids

Cold, rainy, hard wind blowing off the ocean and slate gray skies greeted us Wednesday afternoon as we pulled into Siempre.  People from the community made their way through the little colonia's muddy streets, most without any rain gear, many without jackets... two emotions jump within me: celebration for the family and protection that the children of our household have against the raging storm... heartbreak for the thousands- in Tijuana alone -who would face the night, cold, wet and with little or no shelter from the storm.

Stormy weather presents a different kind of problem at Siempre: kids home from school with no where to play but inside... bouncing off the walls, literally, trying to entertain themselves.  Our workers earning stars in their crowns as they embrace the day with patience and creativity.  Sitting in the front room, couldn't resist sitting on the floor and making a short video just to give you a taste of the moment.  It just might drive you crazy!

Long time friends and supporters of Siempre, (and the fearless leaders of Siempre's annual Golf tourney - YOU'RE INVITED!) Tom and Ellen Buckingham, brought their friend Betty, a community leader in Riverside and a woman who has traveled the world for Rotary- more countries than I can remember -to bring peace and health.  It was fun, as it always is, to give the fifty cent tour- telling Siempre's story -and to hear healing tales of the eradication of polio and other diseases as Rotary has worked with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation spending nearly a billion dollars in many of the earth's "forgotten" or neglected people groups.  Inspiring and humbling.

Opening doors- telling stories of each build -sometimes I was sad to say that as cold wind was blowing and rain pelted the poverty stricken community -Siempre still had open beds...  We need to do so much more.  Than leaving our little Medical Clinic and opening the door to Siempre's long awaited Dental Clinic it was like sharing a miracle- a brand new portable- everything a dentist needs to do his or her job machine-was sitting between our dental chairs.  The long maligned vision of love, bringing real dental health care to Siempre's kids and the broader community, was not only nearly complete- but already in action!  Praise God!  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  How many countless lives will be changed by this act of generosity and service?  More than we'll ever know.  Please keep this work in your prayers.

"'Til the storm passes over, 'til the thunder sounds no more, 'til the clouds roll forever from the sky..."  We don't know how long life's storms will last- but like the old hymn that came to my heart this morning in prayer we can ask: "hold me safe, let me stand, in The Hollow of Your Hand. 'Til the storm, 'til the storm passes by."  When the rain and cold is gone, the storm of doubt and questions remain for the most secure of children at Siempre. "Why was I abandoned" "Why did this happen to my family?"  "How come I'm not like other kids?"  Your continued support insures that they can weather the storm and find a future and a hope they would've never known without Siempre Para Los Ninos.

Join me in praying for our leadership at Siempre.  Add them to your daily conversation with God.  Pray with me that as Siempre becomes more secure that our doors will open wider to the many who may have just made it through the cold and rain of this week but remain desperate and hungry- at risk of the worst of human predators in border cities -and need to know the warmth and love we have to offer.  Some tasks are HUGE, relocating and giving your lives in service to Siempre's kids, other's are HUGE steps, committing to join us as we prepare to build this Memorial Day Weekend and others still will profoundly impact eternity as we pray, give, visit and support the work of Siempre Para Los Ninos in love.  You're Invited.  You're Needed.  Now, more than ever.

siempre,

Eric M. Denton, pastor
Central Community