The New Family in the Rio

A few weeks ago a new family of 7 entered the doors of the soup kitchen in the Rio. One glance and one sniff told us that this family was in need of help. Mom, Virginia, is younger than myself and has 5 little kids. The oldest is 9 and the youngest (a set of twins) are 2. Virgina, her husband, and children had moved into a shack with her mom after being unable to pay rent for their own place. Their house is smaller than most kitchens and houses 9 people. 

After seeing the children arrive at the soup kitchen on Saturday dressed in school uniforms (because they didn't have other clothes) and smelling as though they had worn the same uniform the whole week, I realized that we needed to help. A few days later I dropped off several bags of clothing and toiletries and loaded kids, mom, and grandma into my car to go school shopping. Thanks to a donor we had money to buy the oldest kids new uniforms, school shoes, and notebooks. 

I think the best part for the kids was just riding in my car! They laughed the whole time :) 

The family and Meme outside thier home.

The twins in the cart while their brothers and sister try on shoes.

Three beautiful children with three beautiful new pairs of shoes!

Francisco, Joanna, and Brian with their newly purchased school supplies. 

I didn't really realize how much in need this family was until one day when the grandma asked me if we had any dishes they could have. I'm used to families from the Rio asking for money and honestly thought that was what she was going to say when she pulled me aside. I went to their home later that week and saw that the kids were drinking out of pieces of plastic coke bottles! The b2b staff pulled together as well as some donors and we were able to supply them with cups, plates, silverware, etc.

By God's grace I have had many interactions with the family, including prayer and a sharing of the gospel with them! Please keep them in your prayers! Currently we are trying to get them connected to the government resources that are available to them as well as trying so satisfy some of their basic needs. Things with families in poverty are always sticky... please pray for me to have wisdom and discernment to know what to do and what not to do, how to help, but not enable, to know the truth and discern the lie. It is for families like this one that we, as B2B, have a Rio ministry. Virginia is a prime candidate to take her children to a children's home because of difficulties in providing for them. Pray for her and her husband! Pray for these children! Pray for me and the other B2B workers as we seek the Lord on what to do! He is faithful! Yeah!

The Armor of God (La Armadura de Dios)

We just finished a unit on the Armor of God with the kids in the Rio. Once again I was amazed by how much they learned and remembered. Several of the girls could recite the memory verse and almost all of the kids could name the parts of the armor and what they signified! This is HUGE considering how much energy and attention these kids have to spend on just mere survival. One of the highlights for the kids was a plastic armor set that got donated. I printed off the names of the armor in Spanish and taped them to each piece. They loved it! 

Brian displaying the Armor of God

Our class ranging in ages from 3-12. 

The kids with their shields of faith! 

Trip to Oxford (sorry backtracking a bit!)

In August I was blessed with a trip back home to support raise and visit family and friends. Cheque got to come back with me which was such a huge answer to prayer! He got to visit the States for the first time, met tons of you all, got to hang out with my family, went to several churches with me to speak, and just got to get to know this part of who I am... it was a GREAT trip! The Lord was faithful and provided time for me to meet with some of my most favorite people! He provided the opportunity to share at 3 different churches and some time to just relax and enjoy my family. Here are some pictures from my two weeks at home. It was great to see you guys. 

Cheque and myself with Kelly in Kofenya!

What's a trip to Cincy area without Graeters?

Overlook of Cincinnati

Spending time with family 

Here we are hanging out with my good friends Nick and Karen. 

Grandma and Grandpa

A Message From the Kids in the Rio

Mexico Celebrates 200 Years of Independence!

For weeks the streets of Monterrey have shimmered red, white, and green as vendors have displayed their flags, t-shirts, streamers, and noisemakers on the sides of the roads.  Monterrey has been a bustle of activity with concerts, plays, and movies about the bicentennial of Mexico’s independence from Spain and the centennial celebration of the Mexican revolution.  September 15^th, 2010 was quite a day in Mexico!

For Back2Back our festivities started at Casa Hogar Douglas. Staff, children, encargadas, and two American groups gathered in the CHD courtyard dressed in red, white, and green, ready for the ceremony and celebration! Several of the older children, dressed in uniform, marched the Mexican flag into the center of the courtyard for the anthem to be sung. Then Daniela, from Douglas, led the children in the student promise to the flag. Together as a community we sang the state of Nuevo Leon anthem and waited for the climax of it all, “El Grito”.  

Traditionally the 15^th of September is referred to as “El Grito”(the cry).  Two hundred years ago in the village of Dolores (near to Mexico City) on September 15^th at 11:00pm a priest named Miguel Hidalgo gave the shout to the people to take up arms and fight for Mexico’s independence.  This started the 11 years of war with Spain for what is now the country of Mexico.

In independence day celebrations traditionally the mayor or governor of the town will give the cry to the people just as Hidalgo did many years ago.  At Casa Hogar Douglas one of our teens and member of the Hope Program, Leo, dressed in traditional “charro” costume gave the historic cry to the children, B2B staff, and group members participating with us. All around echoed the response to each phrase Leo spoke, “Viva Mexico!”  “Viva Mexico!” “Viva Mexico! With excitement high, Casa Hogar Douglas director, Pastor Javiar, stood up and spoke to all those standing there about how as believers we are called “the city of God” and how the greatest independence we have is that of freedom and liberty that is found in Christ. Together as a community we thanked God for the freedom and grace he has showered on us.

The rest of the evening was celebrated with a Mexican buffet and a carnival for the children! Little red, white, and green bodies were everywhere as they waited for their turn to play games, eat tacos, and win prizes!

Later that night we put on a special event for our teenagers in the Hope Program. We celebrated their country’s heritage with them with a decorated palapa, pina coladas, and the events in downtown Mexico City projected on the big screen.  Together at 11:00pm we watched President Calderon give the grito shout from the Zocalo and the amazing festivities happening in Mexico City. We also had the fun of shooting off our own fireworks from the top of a teen home! The teens loved it, as did the staff! We finished with salsa dancing into the night.  

It was amazing to experience Mexico’s bicentennial here in the country and even more exciting to celebrate with the children and teens such an important part of their heritage. Viva Mexico! 

Kids at Casa Hogar Douglas dressed in traditional costume. 

The flag ceremony at CHD. 

Leo and myself! 

Viva Mexico! 

Part of our Mexican buffet.. yum! 

So cute! 

Virgin pina coladas for all! 

The big screen in the palapa with Mexico City events. 

The fireworks we shot off... pretty cool! 

                                                        Leo giving the "Grito" at CHD!

Monse Turns 7

My little friend,  Monse, turns 7 on Saturday!!! Monse has come to our soup kitchen children’s classes for the past few years. This past year specifically I have begun to build a relationship with her. Monse comes from a troubled and very impoverished  home in the Rio and it has been made obvious that she needs positive attention! She often acts up in our Sunday school class and has a hard time obeying. Today I took Monse out, just her and I, to celebrate her 7^th birthday! First, we went to a local store for her to pick out a birthday gift. She had been telling me since last Saturday that what she really wanted was a backpack with wheels because her books for school are just “too heavy.” Her neighbor told me that she often sees Monse dragging her bag down the dirt road. We looked in 4 stores for a backpack with wheels but had to settle for a normal backpack and a “backpack cart” to pull it on because we couldn’t find anything else.  She was VERY excited! After shopping we went to McDonalds to play and eat. She had the time of her life! Monse prayed for the meal (the first time I have heard her pray) and while she has munching on her hamburger I was able to speak some truth into her life about who she is and the big plans God has for her. Monse told me that she knows God is powerful and that she remembers the lessons we are teaching about the Armor of God, specifically about the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. She also told me that one day she would like to be a doctor. I encouraged her that she could do that because she is very smart and talented.  I dropped Monse off at her home. She put her school books into her new backpack, and wheeled off to school as happy as could be. It is so fun to be able to bless Monse and pour into her. I am hoping to be able to take her out more often than just her birthday. Please continue to keep this precious girl in your prayers.

Monse with her newly purchased backpack

Monse, Ronald, and Me celebrating!!!

Enjoying a hamburger

Playing in the play land

Self portrait!

Monse in front of her house, ready for school! 

Welcome to the World, Kalet!!!

Kalet de Jesus was born one week and a half ago to a young girl in the Rio, Lucero. Lucero came to the soup kitchen the day after her baby was born to have him prayed for by the pastor.  I have been talking to and praying for Lucero throughout her pregnancy. As a young mom at 14, she had many questions, fears, etc., about the birth, her health, and her relationship with her husband, Brian. Man, was I glad for those child development classes in college! I have been able to pass on what I know about babies and offer up lots of prayers. We have had several good talks about the Lord in all of this which have been good.  Last Saturday I went to visit the baby and his mom and dad and brought them some infant clothes and blankets. Amazing to see such a tiny, perfect baby in a house with dirt floors! His mom seems absolutely in love with him. Please keep praying for Lucero and Brian. They have a lot on their hands and are very young. Please pray for Kalet, for his health and safety. 

Kalet being prayed for at the Soup Kitchen (1 day old). 

Me and Kalet (1 week old)

                                                                  Lucero and Kalet