Pop Rocks!

Do you remember the candy Pop Rocks?  As a little kid, this was one of my favorite candies - and I was the queen of candy... still kind of am.  I came across a big zip lock bag of about 60 packs of Pop Rocks and was saving them until just the right moment to have some fun with a group of kids.  I brought them to a picnic lunch with the kids from ERJ last week and was pleasantly surprised at how foreign this candy was to them.  I'm pretty sure none of these kids had ever had pop rocks because when they put them all on their tongues in unison, they let out little screams of surprise and joy as the pop rocks exploded on their tongues.  They honestly had no idea what was coming.  It was awesome.  

I'm on the far right of this photo showing all the kids what to do with the pop rocks.

Luis and Vasty showing the pop rocks on their tongues.

Pop rocks on display!

Wonder what candy i should introduce them to next....

Is he yours?

Today I went on a field trip with an american group of middle schoolers and 18 kids from Casa Hogar Bethesda as well as 8 kids from Casa Hogar Douglas.  Our destination.... Plaza Sesamo -- which is a Sesame Street themed water park and theme park for kids.   

As the day was winding down and we were getting all the kids changed into dry clothes for dinner, one little boy ("my son" Jair) who was playing and running around, slipped and cracked his head open on the ground.  His american partner for the day ran Jair over to our water station where I was trying to help people find their clothes and backpacks.  Blood was all over his head and he looked faint but was not crying or saying anything.  So I took him from the american and ran Jair over to the medical center for emergencies at the theme park with another staff Matt.  Jair checked a couple of times with his fingers as we hurried through the park to see how much blood was on his head but still said nothing.  

After we had him in their little ER room, Matt had to take off and help the other 50 people with us navigate to the dinner location which left me alone with a bunch of other moms and their kids to get Jair some medical attention.  He was so incredibly brave and clearly a little freaked out by the whole situation.   They asked me who I was and if I was his mom and kept asking, "Is he yours?"  I didnt' really know how to respond.  I didn't want them to know he was an orphan cause that's embarrassing and carries about a million social sigmas.  I responded in spanish that, "yes but no. umm what?"  I kind of played the I don't understand spanish card - which is about half true.  They fixed him up and gave him some ice, kids tylenol, he didnt need stitches and then it was time to fill out the information page.  Jair doesn't know his full name - the whole last name part.  So the paramedic asked if he had parents.  He said that he did but that didn't mean that he knew his last name(s) - in mexico you carry the last name of your mom and the last name of your dad.  They wanted to know what street he lived at - and then i finally just broke down and told the paramedic and the rest of the ER who was listening to everything I said (weird american girl with 6 year old boy -- it draws some attention) that he lived at a casa hogar - this was my way of getting them to stop asking questions.  And i heard the others in the room let out a little gasp when they found out he was an orphan and my heart just sank.  Everyone was really nice and all but the truth sucks.  Life's simple questions for this kid have painful answers.  I signed the medical form as his "guardian" and we left holding hands to walk to dinner.  

He never cried.  I wonder if he was abused before he was abandoned and left at the orphanage this past september.  But as I thought about the day I just had... and what that must have felt like to Jair, what it feels like everyday when he goes to school as the "orphan kid" who never has clean clothes or nice shoes or anyone to pay attention to him personally day in and day out and i just lost it.  The weight of his pain in his abandonment and now this scarlet letter he carries around everyday crushes me.  Why can't he be mine?  How much do you just wish the answer to that question is "yes he is mine.  someone cares enough about him to be his guardian.  He's not abandoned and alone in this world.  There is nothing wrong with him!"  I just wanted to scream that so he would know that.  

And that's just the thing... the only thing that matters is that HE knows that there is nothing wrong with him- he's not a reject.  

Beth, another B2B staffer here was telling us a story last night about one of the girls she was able to "adopt" as a sort of foster child and how to God, the story of these kids lives is not over yet.  For Jair, the story is not over yet.  It is just beginning.  God is not done.  There is hope for a bright future.  Jair could grow up and be anything he wants to be thanks to B2B's Hope Program.  Maybe one day he'll be a paramedic.  

But honestly, in my heart - the answer is, "Yes!  He's mine."  But he's sleeping at an orphanage as I type in a room with 20 other little boys with scars on their hearts just as big as his.  

Country Roads

The mountains surrounding the city of Monterrey are breath taking... especially when unsuspecting animals are in the narrow and winding mountain roads... like this cow which was followed by another only moments later.  The sign is appropriate for sure.

Summer has Begun

The summer season with Back2Back Mexico is divided up into 8 weeks of solid American groups in June and July.  Each week, we have anywhere from 2 to 5 groups here serving with us.  So far, I've almost survived week ONE.  It's hot, crowded, intense, fun, exhausting and everything a Back2Back staff member or for that matter anyone who desires helpers, financers, and advocates to support their cause could ever want.   On days like these, when our campus is overflowing with eager helpers, I can't help but realize how truly blessed this ministry is with supporters who genuinely love the orphans we serve.  But with everything going on and an intense schedule, it's easy to feel drained and tired.  Could you please pray for me in these next 2 months? -- for energy, patience, enthusiasm, priorities, focus and God's glory strength as described in Colossians 1:11-12 "We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us."

Facebook stalking

Ever find something awesome in someone's status on facebook and then feel embarrassed to acknowledge that you were "facebook stalking" and enjoyed what they posted?  Don't lie.  I know you know what I'm talking about.  I did a few days ago and I'm going to post some words of wisdom from a fellow gator alum - Andrew Lisi -- 

 "A personal relationship with Jesus does not mean you have him all to yourself; a relationship with Him necessitates a relationship with other Christians otherwise known as His Church."

What do you think?  Do you think a personal relationship with Jesus involves other people?  Or should?

I feel like I'm being called out here.   How many times do I run out of church the second the service is over and not talk to anyone?  How many times do I say nothing in Bible study and offer none of my insight or questions?  How often do I shrink back when conversation with a friend steers me directly to an opportunity to share my faith and hope in Christ?  Do you ever get pumped up listening to praise music in your car and then as soon as you come home and something isnt exactly how you like it and rip someone's head off?  

Immaturity says that all churches just "don't get it" or "they have it all wrong" and then refuses to do anything about it or get involved with one.  

I want to always be ready to give an answer for the hope I have.  I want to share who Christ is to me with others- both outside and inside the Church.  It's about time.  And I love the Church - Christ died for it.  The Church is his bride and he loves it.  

Hold me to it CHURCH.  I need you out there.