Dreams Construction Project

In February of 2013 Back2Back broke ground for a new home for the Manantial de Amor kids. This new building is called DREAMS in honor of the plans, purposes, and dreams God has for these children. We have been blessed with many generous contributors to help get this project up off the ground. We are excited for the day when the MDA kids will be living within these walls in a place they can call their own. 

Most exciting about the Dreams facility is the way the building will help to provide family-based care for the MDA kids. It is known worldwide that institutional care for kids is just not cutting it. God designed children to grow and develop inside the contex of a family. Without this natural contex child development is delayed, growth is stunted, and kids are not given their best chance at life. The Dreams facility is designed to be a variety of small apartments, instead of the traditional large group dorms and eating areas. Each apartment is equipped with bedrooms, a dining room, living room, and kitchen. The idea is that 4-6 kids and a caring adult couple would share each apartment like a family; living life together as they eat, sleep, do homework, play, etc. We feel that this family-based care environment will help immensly in the development of the children we serve and the care of thier hearts. 

Please continue to pray for this project. Pray for the funding to come in. Pray for the right caring couples to be found, pray for the administrative needs to fall into place. Pray for God's Spirit to inhabit this place even before the children arrive. 

Enjoy the photos of the progress of Dreams! 


The beginning of construction

Assembling structure

First group at DREAMS

Putting concrete floor

Preparing the plumbing and electrical

Working on the walls

Working on the roof

One 21 Youth Retreat "Young and Free"

This past weekend we took 180 teenagers from the children's homes we serve up into the mountains for a retreat. It was really awesome to see the Lord moving on their hearts. The theme for the weekend was "Young and Free" with the teachings focusing on the lies that Satan wants us to believe and the power we have in Christ to fight against them. It was really powerful and in many ways exactly what these teens needed to hear. The best part was hearing our Hope Program students share their own testimonies with the kids. These Hope Program students came from the very children's homes that the kids they were sharing with currently live. It was so powerful to hear these students share about the lies they once believed and how Christ showed them the truth about who they are. It was also eye opening for me to hear from these students the things they believed about themselves. Many said the lie they fought for years is that they are alone and there is no one with them. Others shared about how they felt unworthy of many things because they came from a children's home, they felt they were unworthy of gifts, or an education etc. Many shared how hard it was to not have anything that belonged to them and how hard it was to be different from everyone else at school. These are things that I've always "known" the kids probably struggle with, but it gave all new perspective to hear it straight from their mouths. The wonderful part is that each student could testify to how God met them in the middle of this exact lie and showed them the truth of who He is and how much He cares. It was hard to hold back tears! I'm even more motivated now to pray for the kids who are still in the homes and seek ways to show them the truth. I know they struggle with these same thoughts and lies and I so want them too to find the freedom they so badly need!

Sometimes it seems that we only have time to just barely scratch the surface with these kids... I guess that is where I need to trust that God is working in their lives even when we are not present. He cares so much more than we ever can. Ultimately He is the one who heals hearts!

Students prepare for the 121 retreat on B2B's campus.

Worship lead almost entirely by our Hope Program students.

It was cold up in the mountains!

Worship and teaching was mixed into fun activities throughout the two days of the retreat. 

Our capture the flag group!!!

Playing during free time. 

Hope Program students sharing their testimonies. 

Me and my cabin of girls! Love these kids!!!

All of the 180 students at the retreat. 

Team work activities. 

Inauguration of the LTP Library

Yesterday we were able to open the LTP library with the kids from Manantial de Amor children's home :) 

Welcome sign outside the library

We held a short "ribbon cutting ceremony" outside the library before we brought the kids in. We shared about the space and all those whose time and money helped to create it. We had a time of prayer and dedication then we had a few of the kids come up and cut the ribbon as a symbol of the official opening of the library!

Ribbon cutting ceremony

The boys praying for the new library

The kids get ready to cut the ribbon and open the new library.

 The children were so excited to go into the library for the first time. I loved hearing there comments like, "This is so beautiful!," "look at all the books," "I can't believe this is for us," "This is so cool!" They are thrilled to have a library space to call their own. 

The boys so excited over the Guinness Book of World Records

Taking a look at the Chritian fiction section

Chuy quickly found his favorite :)

We let the kids explore the books for themselves for a bit, then gathered everyone to read a story about a library out loud together. It was hard to get the kids to leave because they were so excited. I can't wait to have them come back and enjoy this space. I already have several kids asking how they can borrow books!

Librarian Lucia reads aloud a story about a library

For now the kids will be able to enjoy the library every Tuesday. We hope to be able to open it more frequently as soon as we get more volunteers. We are so excited to finally have the doors open :) 

Reading!

Excited readers

Exploring all the different types of books

This makes my heart so happy :) 

Group prayer for the library

Chalk Mommies

This photo really hit home tonight. By God's mercy I am spending some time with my sister, brother-in-law, and beautiful niece this week before heading to Ohio for support raising. While I don't yet have kids of my own, I have so enjoyed seeing my sister and her husband interact with little two-year-old Suzie this week. She is full of joy and creativity and love. It is amazing to see the attention and time her parents faithfully devote to her. Bedtime, like for most 2 year olds, can sometimes be tough for Suzie... but she delights in stories and knowing that mommy is right there. As I write this, Suzie's parents are rocking her to sleep and praying over her... What a stark contrast to the story below. How my heart aches for children who don't have a mommy to rock them to sleep and comfort them at night, kids who find comfort in chalk pictures of mommy instead of in her real arms...

I'm praising Jesus for all the kids being rocked to bed tonight... and crying with those babies I know in Mexico who only have chalk mommies.... Come Lord Jesus! 

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,

    is God in his holy dwelling... Ps. 68:5

Mark Your Calendars!!!

We're coming to Ohio for a visit!!! You are all invited to an Open House to visit, fellowship, and hear updates from the field. 

We hope to see you there!!!

Open House

 September 17th, 2013

7:00-9:30pm

(Slideshow at 8:00pm)

 The Maglich Backyard

     909 S. Locust St. 

    Oxford, OH 45056

Bring your friends!!!!

Our Summer in Photos

How in the world can I recap all that has happened these past 8 weeks of summer? The Lord has been so good and so faithful! Here at B2B we like to ask our missions guests each night during debriefing what is their "picture of the day," or a particular moment that stood out to them that they would like to always remember. Tonight I am posting for you some of our "pictures of the summer" (in both the literal and non-literal sense!). I hope this gives you a real glimpse of what the Lord has been up to this summer and how privileged we have been to play a part in it. Enjoy!

First group of the summer prays over the construction of the new children's home "DREAMS" for Manantial de Amor. 

I was privileged to have 2 brothers visit for the whole month of June and lend many a helping hand at MDA.

To the zoo! One of the many field trips we were able to take the MDA kids on this summer. 

Enjoyed having my dear friend Anna come to serve week 2 of the summer! Luis enjoyed her company too :) 

Cheque was blessed to have my brother Jon help out around MDA. What a blessing to have family so close this summer. 

We loved seeing MDA's new caregivers in their element. Jose and Lorena have added so much to MDA in just the few months they have been working there. Jose has blessed the home with his skills as a carpenter and an artist. Here is the new entertainment center me finished for the boys with the help of good friend from Oxford, Jason Bantz. 

Who can beat slip-n-slide on a hot day! The kids enjoy hanging out with the  Crosslife group during week three. 

DREAMS continues to progress. Week 3 and the first floor walls are nearly up! 

My awesome man showing strengths in so many ways this summer. Here he is reviewing the plans for DREAMS.

Loved having mom with me as I lived my daily life in Monterrey. She got to celebrate with  me and Ady when Ady got her braces finally taken off! 

Fun days in the sun (and big slides!!!)! 

Trip to the pools week 4! 

New sheet donation for the girls dorm room at MDA! Ester enjoys her Hello Kitty sheets :) 

Celebrated Chuy and 3 other's birthdays week 6 of the summer!

Loved seeing all the kids and group pouring into the kids who celebrated birthdays in July. 

Melanie offers her talents as a hair stylist to spruce up the kids summer do's! (Week 6)

DREAMS continues to grow! Week 7 brings the walls even higher and a sidewalk around the building. 

Love these kids and all their joy! Headed out for a safari ride week 7!

Jocabel feeds a wild steer on the safari ride!

A very friendly giraffe :) The kids got to be so close and to pet him. Made their day!

Enjoying the downtown market with the family and trying out ice cream form Oaxaca :) 

Enjoyed helping with the filming of a documentary  about Shannon's life (Hope Program student who I mentor). It is called "1/163,000,000" What an amazing girl and talented film crew.

Finding a small moment to encourage Israel in who he is :) 

Got to celebrate Shannon's acceptance into nursing school! What a huge achievement for her and her family! Still praising Jesus for this one :) 

These are just a few snapshots! Boy, do I have so many more!!!! Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness to us this summer!!!