We need to start this blog with a sincere apology to our support team, and anyone who reads it. After a gentle and timely nudge from a good friend and supporter, we were reminded that we had not posted a new blog for......waaaaaaay to long. This is inconsiderate and irresponsible of us so please accept our apology.
Believe us, the fact that we haven't posted anything recently isn't because there hasn't been a LOT happening or because God has not been moving. On the contrary. It would take 10 computer screens to tell you everything. But we don't want to overwhelm you. So let's see how this goes......
- In January we increased the number of Strong Families (registered families who receive services from our community centers) from 18 to 64 families. This also means an increase from 41 to 129 children who are now part of our child sponsorship program.
- The services that Strong Moms receive include: Bible, finance, English, parenting, and life skills classes. They also have access to a Christian counselor and a Christian Psychologist.
- The services that Strong Children receive include: weekly Bible classes, Creative workshop classes (gymnastics, art, dance, computer instruction, etc.), and tutoring. They also receive healthy snacks and regular physical activity on the soccer field, playground, and basketball court.
And now some snippets of other cool things that God is doing.
- Our new male tutor and mentor in Bonfil, Ersy, took 10 teens to a Christian drug rehab center so they could hear from adults who shared their stories about how their addictions to drugs and alcohol effected their lives. As a result of hearing these stories, and because of the trust that Ersy has built with these teens, one of the 15 year old boys ("Jorge") voluntarily handed over his drugs to Ersy and asked for help with his drug addition.
- Lupita, a Strong Mom in Tres Reyes, who has been in our program for one year, applied for and received a grant from the Mexican government to plant a garden. Recently we visited her home and she proudly showed us her healthy and expanding garden. She also explained that she has plans to grow and sell chickens. She said, "One year ago, I could only imagine myself cleaning houses. Today, I know I can do so much more." We all shed some tears of gratefulness and joy.
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| Lupita |
- Elizabeth, our psychologist, has been leading Bible classes with 30-40 Strong Moms and has seen great commitment and interest from them, to learn more truths.
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| Mica & Carlos |
- One of our Strong families in Bonfil, Mica and her four children, had dreams of building a home on the small plot of land she purchased late last year. She began the work herself, clearing the land and buying materials. When we asked her to show us the land and share her dream with us, she didn't hesitate. We helped modify her house plans, and we've now had two mission teams do work on the house to help move the process along. She is always there helping us, and making sure she has "skin in the game."
- Two more of our Strong moms recently opened a food stand (tienda) in Tres Reyes where they sell empanadas, sopas, tacos, and other traditional Mexican foods. Like Lupita, they are feeling more empowered and capable to step out and do more than they ever imagined.
- Julie started teaching basic budgeting to 40 Strong parents and grandparents. They each received a calculator, notebook, and assignments. Along with fundamental ideas on how and why to save money, Julie had some great discussion about the difference between a "want" and a "need." The moms learned seven tips on what to ask themselves before they make a purchase to help them determine if it's a "want" or a "need."
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| Budgeting Class |
- José (6 yrs old) and his family are new to our Strong Families program. Recently he was at church on Sunday, and the teacher introduced the children to the Bible story from Mark 2 where Jesus heals the paralytic man. José quickly raised his hand, recited one of the verses from that story, and then said, "That's the same story we learned at the community center." We love seeing Biblical truths stick!
- Since January, we have hired four new national staff, and moved three more from part-time contract staff to full-time salaried staff. These positions include: two program teachers, a tutor, a caseworker, a program manager, a volunteer coordinator, and a psychologist. These new staff will help us continue to go deep with the children and families we serve in Tres Reyes, Bonfil, and Cancun.
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| Milka's family with some B2B staff |
Milca is the mother of two 10-year old twins girls and a 12-year old son. About eight years ago Milca and her husband Juan Carlos, decided that they couldn't take care of all three children so they dropped the twins off at Casa Hogar San Jose (orphanage). She would visit them periodically on the weekends, and sometimes they would go "home" for the weekend. Last year, she said she would like them to move back home, but she couldn't afford it and didn't have space in her home for the two additional children. We've known the twins for 6 years and we are always looking for ways to strengthen families, which includes reunifying children in orphanages with their biological parent(s). In January we assigned one of our Caseworkers to lead the project of re-unifying this family. Among other things, this includes assessing the needs of the physical structure of the home and scheduling regular meetings for the twins and the rest of the family to meet with our psychologist to prepare them for all the changes that will take place emotionally and relationally. So after Milca and Juan Carlos signed our Strong Family Agreement to become our next Cancun Strong Family, we hired some masons to begin work on preparing the house for the twins. Our caseworker and psychologist will continue their work and then in mid-July, before the next school year starts, we will re-unify this family. Of course our work will not be done after July. In fact there will still be a great deal of transition work to do, as the family begins the hard work of living, loving and learning under one roof, how to be a complete and Strong Family. Please pray with us for this family and for our team who will walk with them through this challenging process.
For our next blog....check out Galatians 6, verses 2 & 5. Specifically, the meaning of "burden" and "load" in these verses.
Grateful to God and to each of you for believing in us and getting behind what God has called us to with Back2Back.
Erick & Julie
If you live in or have visited Indiana, chances are you're going to see farm animals, whether by accident or on purpose. Julie and I are fully embracing our life in Indiana, so recently we went to the 4H Fair near us and while we didn't embrace the animals, we did see and appreciate them. We are grateful for farms and farmers. (Oh, and I lost the staring contest with the llama.)
