There are three girls who stayed at the house last year and then went back to live with mom. Mom was with a fellow and it seemed that everything was going to be alright for the girls. We have learned that mom's friend is gone, she and four of her children are now squatters and the girls have been raiding the dump for food. Marylou, being a person of action, took it upon herself to make it better for those precious four girls. They are now coming to the house for lunch every day before school - in fact they have to be in their school uniforms when Delia provides them with food... food is essential, but so is their education. We put out a call for white blouses or t-shirts to complete the girls' school uniforms and, hopefully, they will have those items soon. The oldest girl, at eleven, was well on her way to learning English and cried when she first saw Marylou this fall. Her clothes were too small and I could feel her embarrassment. She is now working at the house on Saturdays and helping Delia with the younger children. For this work, she is earning a small stipend and, with God's help, regaining her self-esteem.
About the same time, we met up with Jennifer. Those of you who have known Marylou and Jack for awhile know that Jennifer is almost a teenage girl and has been in their lives since she was just a small child. Jennifer is Grandma's granddaughter - yes, the grandma who lives in the cardboard house. In the past two years, Jennifer has been a resident at the house and a very good student in school, and she has broken the house rules and ran away. She is now living with Grandma again and when we encountered her, she had sores several places on her young body. I'm told they are from being unwashed. It is hard to understand why she would not want to live in a nice house and eat good meals and learn... but, Jennifer is a street urchin. She has grown up in a shack with no running water and little food; and she knows this life. It breaks our hearts to see her and know we can only love her and provide her with a little food once in a while. She is a child of God and we need to trust her to Him. Prayers for Jennifer please.
I didn't go to Mexico this week. Mike went with Marylou and Jack. When he came home, he told me about his visit to the home of one of our little daycare girls. He described a living area smaller than our motorhome and the bare mattresses he had seen on the floor. He talked about the empty fridge and little food in evidence. He told me about the mom's sister who also lived there and was pregnant. The next day, Mike and Marylou and Jack returned to that house with quilts and food. Thanks to all of you, they were able to deliver a bit of warmth, nourishment and show them that someone cared.
Lots of prayers, lots of conversations, and lots of emotions have been a part of our lives these past days. The pictures I share this week are ones Mike took with his cell phone - He captured kids at work being kids - it is what makes everything we encounter worthwhile.
Alie resting
Axel clowning.
New (to them) scooter being truly enjoyed.
Playing house.
Brothers having serious conversations.
Who knows...
Great faces...
Future football players posing and admiring themselves in the new mirror.
As I reread what I have written and search for a good summary statement, all I can think is Thank You. Thanks to each of you who have trusted us with your money and your donations. We are using them to better lives. And Thank You to My Lord and Savior; this is an amazing task You have put before us. Thank You for the challenge and for the strength.
As you play with your own children or grandchildren, think about "our children" south of the border. And listen when God whispers, responding when He nudges.
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