For I know the Plans I have for YOU...

Jeremiah 29:11, this was the verse that inspired the activity we recently did at San Jose and with Oti's kids. The first part of the verse says,

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord."

As we continue to learn about poverty, specifically, generational poverty, we know that it often generates a sense of hopelessness in those who know no other way of life. Sadly, those who have known only impoverished living for two or more generations, can rarely envision ever getting out of poverty. Thankfully, for Christ-followers, physical poverty doesn't have to mean spiritual poverty, and this is the truth that we want all of our children and families to know and understand.

Oti's kids wanted to post their verse
& hearts on their bedroom wall.

While we want to holistically help those we serve (spiritually, educationally, physically, socially and emotionally), more than anything else, we want them to know that God's plans have been determined and established for all His children since before they were born. This truth is critical and brings with it hope. We also realize that if they only know OF Jesus, but don't know Him personally and understand what He did for them, they won't be able to comprehend why HIS plans are the best. Why HIS love is for them is transforming. Why HIS sacrifice and their commitment to Him will change their lives forever. Because the plans HE has established for them....

".....are plans for good and not for disaster,

to give [them] a future and a hope."

Oti's family (look at Oti's face)

So with five of Julie's college friends, chalk, paint and paper, the kids were reminded in a tangible way, of God's love and plans for them, and the HOPE that they can have. We are excited to do this same activity with 60+ kids at Rossy's next week as well, when another team will join us from Horizon Church.

Casa Hogar San Jose

Thanks for your prayers and support.

"And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you."

Meet Rossy

Rossy

 Last Saturday morning we received a text from Rossy, a new friend who we are partnering with, asking us if we could come to her place that afternoon to pray for some kids and their mothers who had been abused by their fathers/husbands and boyfriends.


We met Rossy several months ago through a local church, and found out about her ministry to the poor children and singles moms in a neighborhood called Bonfil. Rossy has worked in this area for about 8 years after God gave her a vision for His light shining in this place.  Rossy is a talented jewelry artist and sells the jewelry to help support this ministry. Every Wednesday & Saturday, 30-60 kids come to what we've affectionately named "Rossy's Place," to sing, hear a story about Jesus, do a craft, and eat a meal. For some of these kids, it's the only meal they will get that day.


So on Saturday, when we went to Rossy's place to help with the kids and then pray, we met Ruby, whose husband had just left her and their three young children the night before. Ruby shared her story with us and we prayed over her. We then asked Rossy to take us for a walk in the neighborhood where the kids and many broken and dysfunctional families live. During this walk our goal was to become familiar with the neighborhood, see where these kids and families live, and pray for them. As we walked through the neighborhood, we saw what looked like apartment complexes. These "apartments" where many of these families live are a single room. They hang hammocks at night for sleeping and remove them during the day. The kitchen and bathroom are in a separate building and are shared by the complex. We also saw where a local drug dealer lived, where Ruby lived, and where many of the kids live who Rossy serves. We found out that the water is only on for one hour a day in Bonfil, so if families don't get their water during that hour, they won't get any until the next day, unless they borrow or buy more.

Our desire is to come alongside Rossy to help her love the kids and reach the families. Our prayers are that God would restore broken families, give us opportunities to introduce Jesus to the kids and parents, and give us wisdom about how Back2Back's can most effectively partner with Rossy in Bonfil.

ORPHAN PREVENTION: Oti and her 8 kids

Oti's Family

Wow! We've been here about six weeks, and already our hearts have experienced so many emotions. Being called to love and care for the orphans and impoverished here in Mexico is both heartbreaking and rewarding. 

Here in Cancun we work with two children's homes - San Jose & Esperanza. We also partner with a government organization (DIF-CAT), where the kids - from babies to teenagers - were removed from bad/abusive home situations. As I was holding a baby there today, it broke my heart to think about what she has already been through and how sad it is that her primary care-giver is a gov't nurse. Nonetheless, this is a safe place for these kids to stay when they have no where else to go. The children's homes and the DIF-CAT are reactive responses to kids who desparately need someone to take care of them. For various reasons the parent(s) have decided that they can't or won't take care of their children.

We are also working proactively with impoverished families, with mothers who desparately want to keep their children. Think of it as orphan-prevention. (We believe, and research would support it, that the best place for a child to be is with his/her family. Ideally mom, dad and siblings.) So for the next several blog posts, we want to introduce you to Oti, who is trying to keep her family together. We will show you pictures of Oti's kids and give a little info about each. It is our hope that many of you will pray for this family and each child as you get to know them.

 Oti is a 36 yr old single mother of eight children, ages 1-15 yrs. Her husband died of AIDS about a year ago.Until last year when Back2Back (B2B) started working with them, none of the kids had gone to school, because they couldn't afford the school supplies, uniforms, etc. Needless to say, they are very far behind, but Oti loves her kids and wants to keep them together...under her roof. Despite a poor housing situation, little food, and health issues, including a protruding hernia (not sure if that's the official term), Oti isn't willing to give up.



This is where Oti would launder clothes. We're hoping
to be to able to provide a new washer and dryer for her.

Currently Oti and Ricardo, her oldest son, make a little money by selling fruit and candy on the street. But Oti has a dream. She wants to make money by starting a laundering service.We this family weekly, pray for them often and have purchased school clothes, supplies and are paying a tutor to help her kids. We've done work on her house; provided food and other needs as well.

Today Jenny the oldest daughter (11) showed me her 1st grade homework. I hugged her and told her how proud I was of her. She smiled BIG and hugged me back.

We hope the story of Oti and her kids will give you a glimpse into the lives of some of the people God called us to serve. Thanks for ALL your support. We couldn't be here helping without your involvement in our ministry.