The Beginnings of a Literacy Program...

About 2 months ago I was hanging out with a few girls in the Rio and we got to talking about reading. Somewhere in our conversation I asked them if they ever get read to at home. They both said no.  I knew both the girls had several books in their home, because I had brought them out in a donation. I asked the girls where they books were and they said "on the shelf." I praised them for this, because taking care of items in the Rio is not always a priority. We had a conversation when I first brought the books out about where to keep them and how to care for them. So I was pleased to see that they had done this. However, when I asked how many books the girls had read that week the answer was, zero. When I asked why, they reported that they weren't allowed to take them down from the shelf because their grandmother knew I was going to come by and she didn't want to take a chance that the books would be ruined before my next visit. 

I sighed internally as I realized that this family didn't understand the reason for the books. I remembered the library programs that I participated in as a child growing up in Oxford, OH. Almost every summer we would set reading goals and earn prizes for the books that we read... I wondered if Sara nd Monse needed a little motivation like I did when I was little. I asked for a scrap of paper and scrawled out a one week reading chart for the girls. "Try to see if you can read one book a day or if your grandmother can read one book a day to you for the next week," I said. For added motivation I let the girls borrow some of the children's books I had with me in my car. "Next week when I come, show me what you have read and you can borrow some more books." I then talked to their grandmother to make sure she understood that the books were for the girls to read, regardless of whether or not they got messed up. 

The next week I drove up to Sara and Monse's house and was greeted by the girls proudly standing outside holding up their reading charts. "We did it every day!" They shouted. Each girl got to pick a lollypop as a prize then we sat down to talk about the experience and to read a book out loud together. It was wonderful!

 The next week even more kids showed up and the same thing happened the week after. I now have about 6 consistent students every week! I set up a very basic library system, where the kids can check out and return books. The best part is that the kids are reading or being read to and that there are books entering their homes. I've even noticed some of the teenage boys standing at a distance where they can hear the story I'm reading to the children yet still look cool! They were only given away when they too started laughing at the funny parts. 

I have several Christian books and some children's Bibles that I let the kids borrow. Sara told me one day that her grandmother loves the Children's Bible best of all.She reads it everyday to her granddaughters. Yajiara borrowed a Max Lucado book one week that illustrated the story of our Heavenly Father's love for us. She said that her mom started reading it and loved the story. Her mother read it over and over several times that week :) 

I'm excited to see where this literacy program goes!Two months later and the kids are still excited about reading.  I can already see that he kids are enjoying reading and that their parents are being influenced too. Compared to when we first started, the children are now very engaged in the stories I read aloud. They are making their own predictions and making connections to the text... two very important skills for readers to know. I also love to see them being responsible for the books they check out. We have only misplaced a few! They have read most of the books in my collection and I am in need of more! 

Please keep us in your prayers! Pray for the kids enthusiasm to continue. Pray for the ones who struggle with reading to continue learning, pray for parents to continue to be on my team with this, pray for more children's books in Spanish, pray for me to have wisdom to know how to teach and encourage these kids. 

The Literacy Program students with their books. 

My students selecting the books they want to borrow for the week. 

Monse, Sara, and Alondra reading together

Yajaira reading to Daniel

Sara with her book

Alondra decorating her reading chart for the week

My students having some silent reading time 

El Nido de Amor

Many people have been asking about our apartment. Here are some pictures of the before and after remodeling process. It started out as one bedroom and bathroom but, with the help of many fellow B2B staff members, family, and friends it has turned into our apartment! We love living here and are very thankful for all those who put in their time and effort to help us make this home :) 

Bedroom before

Kitchen before

Living Room/Dining Room before

Bedroom before

Living room before

Construction to separate the bedroom from the living room

Bedroom after

Bedroom after

Living room/ Dining Room after

Living room / Dining room after

Closet after

Kitchen after

Kitchen after

The Wedding of Hope and Cheque

It's official. We're married! Cheque and I tied the knot on October 30th, 2011 at 4:00pm in Monterrey, Mexico! Yay! It was an amazing day that I so wish all of you could have been at!  God blessed Cheque and I with every detail of the day. The weather was beautiful and sunny, the flowers fragrant, the guests excited, the food so delicious, the dancing so much fun, but most importantly we sensed God's smile over us:)

My family came in from Ohio and many of Cheque's relatives came from Mexico City. It wasn't just a fun day it was a fun week with people arriving several days before! There was tons of fellowship between the families and so much help as we set up and prepared for the Big Day. 

Here are a few pictures from the wedding. I hope you like them! We are still waiting on the professional pictures, and will put some up when we get them. 

Many thanks to EVERYONE who helped with this day! Thanks for your love, encouragement, support, and friendship! We couldn't have done it without you. 

Flower bouquet and the wedding program

Getting all the buttons done up the back of my dress by my sisters and bridesmaids. 

Mom and I right before the wedding! 

Walking down the isle with dad (Cheque's parents are on the left) 

Our wedding ceremony took place at the Antigua Hacienda de Santiago about 20 min from the B2B property. It had an amazingly beautiful view of the mountains and the lake. 

Cheque and I with the lasso. This is a Mexican wedding tradition. The lasso is draped around the bride and groom during the ceremony to symbolize unity. 

The Kiss! One of my favorite pictures! 

We are pretty excited about being married... as you can see :) 

Me and my silly man! 

Yay! 

Me and my bridesmaids (my 2 sisters and Cheque's 2 sisters)

Cutting the brownie cake. 

Cheque giving me the first bite... and enjoying it :) 

The happy bride and groom :) 

My Family 

Etiquette Class for Jovenes

Before the crazy summer season started some fellow staff members, David and Stacy Whited hosted an etiquette class for some of the teens in the Hope Program.  The class consisted of various sessions where the kids learned about table manners and courtesies that should be shown when out to a nice dinner whether it be a wedding, work event, or a date.

Most of the students in the class had spent the majority of their lives in a childrens’ home before coming into the Back2Back Hope Program, not having many good examples nor chances to practice etiquette. One of our goals with the Hope Program is to prepare our students for life in the ‘real world.’ These students are studying at the highschool and collage levels and when they graduate will most definitely have times where they will need to know proper etiquette.  Sometimes a job interview is nailed by the etiquette skills of the applicant! 

Rodo and Colton folding napkins as we prepared to serve a 3 course meal. 

David and Stacy taught the students how to eat a nice 3 course meal. What each piece of silverware is for, and basic manners on how to cut, chew, eat etc. when in a nice restaurant.    For most of these students this was a first time experience.

I was greatly surprised when later that week I went out to eat with Shannen, a Hope Program student that I disciple. We weren’t at a fancy restaurant or anything, but she was practicing her manners and teaching me a thing or two!

A nicely set table awaiting the teens to arrive...

The etiquette class culminated in a nice three course meal, prepared and served in David and Stacy’s house. Cheque and I and several other staff members were invited to serve the meal as though it was at a real 3 star restaurant.  It was so much fun to serve the teens and even more fun to see what they had learned during the class. All the guys opened the doors for the ladies, pulled out their chairs, and engaged them in conversation. All the students used the correct silverware at the correct times, politely asked for refills, and cut and chewed like ladies and gentlemen.  

Shannen, Homero, Daniel, and Selene politely eating their first course. 

Mario, Averee, Colton, and Perla conversing over the main course.

 Already several students have had the chance to put their etiquette skills to practice in the ‘real world’ at their graduation receptions. It is so fun to see these kids blossom into fine young men and women.

Servers!!!

All of us B2B staff who participated that night. 

Some Favorite Things from Cancun

I went to the B2B ministry site in Cancun in the month of June. Here are a few pictures that capture the trip. I hope you enjoy them and that they inspire you to take a trip of your own. Praise Jesus for what He is doing in Cancun, Mexico. 

Students from Southbrook Church putting on a skit of David and Goliath for the kids at the San Jose Children's home. San Jose is a Catholic run home that has 12 girls and just 1 boy...

Myself, Jody Massey, and Luanne outside Casa Hogar Esperanza.... getting ready for a hamburger cookout with the kids and games! 

Here I am with Naomi in her home in Cancun. Naomi is native Mayan. She lives in a one room block house with several grandchildren and one great-grand baby. She makes a living by selling tamales on the street.  By the generosity of God and friends of mine we are currently constructing a house for Naomi and her family where they won't have to pay rent and where they will fit much better. (notice the hammocks in the background... these are common beds for the poor in Cancun.)  

The church in Tres Rios B2B is supporting. We were helping to pour a concrete floor in this church the week I was there. The church is located in one of the most impoverished communities just outside Cancun. 

Matt Cooper (Cancun director), myself, and Jody and Ryan Massey!

This is the sound system at the church in Tres Rios! I love how creative these people are. 

Smiling faces as we play games outside the Tres Rios church with children' from the community. 

Two of the littlest boys at the DIF children's home in Cancun. This is a government run children's home that B2B Cancun has had a relationship with since the beginning. 

Myself and my friend Teresa posing for a picture together! 

Two of Oti's children at a pizza and games restaurant. Oti is a women that B2B got connecting with through the DIF government program. Oti is a single mom of 8 kids and has some serious health needs. She was at the point of dropping her kids off at the local children's home when B2B came into the picture. Our goal is to help Oti with her needs so that she can continue to raise her kids in her home.... a much better option than an institution. 

A home in Tres Rios... similar to Rio1 in Monterrey where I work, but with a Cancun feel. 

Beautiful! 

My last day in Cancun with the Coopers and we went snorkeling in a nearby reef! 

A beautiful beach in Riviera Maya. 

Just gorgeous what God creates, hun? 

Huge drift wood!