First of all, I apologize for not updating for such a LONG time. In August we learned that we should no longer post recognizable pictures of the children here at CVE, so I have not attempted writing since then. However, we have adjusted to this new rule and I now have an abundance of "media-approved" photos I can share, so here goes...
I would like to introduce you to the three boys I help care for along with Marce, a single sister originally from Ixtlan.
Zoom (center) is six years old and has lived here for two years. He is in 1st grade. Whiz (on the left) is also six years old, has lived here for almost four months, and is also in 1st grade. Tag (on the right) just turned four, has lived here for four months, and goes to kindergarten half a day. Whiz and Tag are brothers.
All these boys have lots of energy, hence the names. Please come visit so you can learn their real names and faces! :)
The big boys gave us their old Tonka trucks.
They all love to color and draw. Here is Tag coloring while waiting to head to kindergarten.
Whiz built this impressive block fortress.
Zoom getting his hair styled by the neighbor girl.
Julian who works in the shop finished making this "comal" for Marce out of a tractor disk. Here she is frying up some "sopes." They are like little corn pancakes and you eat them topped with a combination of meat, beans, potatoes, chopped lettuce, chopped tomato, pickled carrots and onions, salsa, avocado, and cream.
We are thankful to have a park at CVE now with two big swing sets. The kids play here at recess and it is a fun place to go to burn off some energy.
Heading on a picnic in the gator.
The end of October, we had our annual Chile and Pie competition.
Here are all of the pie participants. Marce (fourth from the left) won second place.
Marce and I heard of some rabbits in need of a home and we thought bunnies sounded like a lot of fun, so we requested three. What a surprise when four large white rabbits arrived and three of them pregnant females! Thankfully, we were able to gift two of the pregnant females to another home. We were left with a female "Florecita" and a male "Gasparin." Florecita gave birth to eight bunnies of which half have already "gone on before." Sadly, Gasparin was attacked by a dog. So we have been left with Florecita and her four remaining bunnies which in all honesty seems to me a much more manageable number. They have been a delightful addition to the family and have consumed many pounds of cucumber and carrot peelings.
Using our improvised marker board while waiting to shower.
Zoom and Whiz drawing while Tag showers.
Art and Twyla Schlipf, Carissa's parents, came for a visit in November. They are our boys' "adopted" grandparents. Grandpa and Whiz are building a farm in this picture.
I was excited to get the opportunity to try some rock climbing one early morning. This is a new program at CVE. There are a couple runs staked nearby and three or four out at a ranch about 20 mins from CVE. Various staff and older kids are in training to be guides and by now, nearly everyone has had a chance to try it out. This project has many goals, but a couple would be building trust and encouraging kids to face their fears.
I also need to introduce you to Speedie. Speedie is 11 years old, has cerebral palsy, and I do therapy with him in the mornings. Here he is riding during our horse therapy session with Auburn Beyer.
Reading to Whiz and Tag.
Tag (and Whiz) are both very affectionate, but definitely have their rebellious streak.
Hard at work on the homework. Since the start of the school year, Zoom and Whiz have learned to read. It has been exciting to see watch their progress and hear them reading signs and cereal boxes and syrup bottles. This week they each brought home a book. This is amazing considering that Whiz did not even know the whole alphabet in September. Spanish is a lot easier to read than English though. (All the vowels make only one sound.)
The first weekend of December, Marce and I had the huge blessing of traveling to Guaymas, Sonora (4 hour drive) to take part in a training along with eight other staff members from CVE. The training was given by Back2Back ministries (back2back.org). And I'm so thankful for all the staff who stepped up to take care of kids and other responsibilities so we could go. It has been a week and half since we arrived home and we continue to work at remembering and implementing the techniques we learned. We were reminded again of where these boys have come from, how we can give them tools to replace their survival weapons, and how we need to take care of ourselves, so we can be present for them in their time of need. And we continue to learn.
The extra bonus was staying at a condo on the beach in San Carlos.
Sun coming up over the mountain.
The sunset across the bay.
Our travel companions (L-R): Jackie, Melody, Jodi, Geo, Marce, Pau, Me, Nicole, Bere, Juantan
Marce and I saying goodbye to the beach.
Sun setting as we leave for home.
I am so thankful we were able to go for all we learned and for the relationships we built while there.
Bunny time.
The second week of December was Christmas dress-up week at the kindergarten. Here is Tag in his peppermint costume from day 4
...and his crazy Christmas sunglasses on day 3.
I am so thankful to have the opportunity to witness God's hand at work in bringing Whiz and Tag into our little family. There have been moments of intense joy and overwhelming stress, but I know God has a perfect plan. These are His boys, His work and His plan.
Please pray for several adolescents here who have decided to give their lives to Christ. Pray they can break the bonds of satan, of their pasts, and the pressure they experience from their peers. Also pray for Marce and I as we work together, for our relationship and for wisdom in raising the boys. Please pray for God's work in the hearts of Zoom, Whiz, Tag, and Speedie.
My Christmas trip is planned for December 27th - January 9th. I will be in Peoria for Emily's wedding the first weekend, in Forrest/Fairbury area the following week, and traveling up to Kitchener, Canada with Philip the last weekend. Please pray that I can enjoy my time with my family in spite of adjusting to the changes of six months away and that all would go well for Marce and the boys here at CVE.
