Anahi and Blanca at Yosemite

A lot of Northern Californians never make it to Yosemite - one of the most beautiful places in the world. We weren't going to let the girls miss out. So my daughter Sara and I decided to take them up.

It is a five hour drive from Menlo Park, so we left the night before and stayed near the park. We got up early the next morning and went straight to a Sequoia grove at the park. I think the girls weren't ready for a one-mile hike. They had to stop a few times on the way back which was uphill. But they did enjoy seeing the giant 2000 year-old trees. We saw one stump of a tree that had a hole cut in it from the old days. You could drive a truck through it.

Next we headed to the main valley. The waterfalls were still flowing nicely and the girls loved the "cascadas". We also stopped and waded in the Merced river and I taught them how to skip stones.

They ordered their own lunch in English at the historic Ahwahnee lodge. While we ate outside a wedding party paraded by for the coming nuptials out on the lawn.

After lunch we headed up to Glacier Point overlooking the entire park. It was beautiful and clear, despite all the fires in California. It was an awesome sight. On the ride back home, the girls had a 2 hour siesta, having been worn out from the day.

Blanca and Anahi at the beach and in San Francisco

The long awaited day arrived when the girls would finally get to see the ocean. After a vigorous second week of English classes, they were ready for a break. It was really fun to take off for Half Moon Bay and have a conversation in English. It was amazing how much they knew after a week plus of classes.

It was cool and cloudy at the coast as we walked to the ocean. The smiles were huge as the girls rolled up their jeans and stuck their feet in to the cold water. They were both shocked to feel how cold the Pacific is in Northern California. But they loved it. We walked up and down the beach. The girls wrote their names in the sand and picked up shells.
Next we headed up the coast to San Francisco. Traffic was heavy for a Saturday, so the got to experience their first traffic jam. We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and then walked across the bridge as the fog blew across the top of the bridge.

We next headed off to the S.F. Museum of Modern Art for an exhibit by the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. I coldn't really get a read on what the girls thought of it. Maybe they were too worn out to have an opinion.

Anahi and Blanca - Independence Day

We had a great day initiating Blanca and Anahi into the American culture with an old-fashioned block party at the home of the Hobbs family, Blanca's hosts. There was a hamburger BBQ, picnic, bike parade, and bagpipes. Later, after lunch the girls participated in a balloon toss.

After the festivities we headed off for pizza before and then took in fireworks. Brooke Hobbs joins the girls on the bench by the bay in the photo below.

Anahi and Blanca – July 2 – Class and Dentist

Today, the Anahi and Blanca had their first day at their English class. With the help of Bill Elmore we were introduced to Helen Kim at East Side Prep in Palo Alto. Helen worked with Stacy Ishigaki and Shaneka Julian, two language teachers at East Side to put together a program for the girls. They will be studying three hours per day with Stacy and Shaneka trading off as teachers. Kelsey Seabolt, a young volunteer, will be helping as well. (In photo from left, Kelsey, Stacy, Anahi and Blanca)

Their first class was at 9 am. I stopped by at 11:30 to see how it was going. They all seemed to be having a good time. Stacy was teaching the girls how to talk about their past, the present and the future. Each one stood up and used drawings they had made to tell me about what they liked when they were ten years younger, what they like now and what they will be doing in ten years. I was pleased to hear that both girls had college in their plans. Blanca also envisioned herself married. Anahi said she would be an administrator. (She really wants to study criminology, but her dad thinks it would be a dangerous career.)

In the afternoon, the girls went to a dentist that Joni had arranged for Blanca. While the dentist filled teeth and pulled a tooth, Anahi assisted. Lots of thanks to Dr. Dale Weibel who volunteered his time to help.

In the evening they returned home, did homework and had dinner with their hosts. Anahi was so worn out, she took a nap before dinner.

SK

Blanca and Anahi come to the USA

The big moment finally arrived today. Blanca and Anahi would come to the USA from Juarez. After three years of studying as JCEP students and graduating from high school on June 17, they were going to visit their sponsors and get some English immersion in the U.S. (The girls say goodbye to their familes in front of Blanca's house in Juarez.)

I decided to pick them up at Blanca’s house at 8 am. I arrived about 15 minutes early. Blanca was ready to go. She wheeled out her new suitcase that we had sent her for graduation. Her Mom, sister and little brother were out to see her off. A little later Anahi pulled up with her Mom and Dad. Her Dad was very emotional. He cried as he hugged her good bye and asked me to take good care of her. I promised him I would.

We headed off to the border in the Chevy Tahoe I had borrowed from Missions Ministries. We decided to go to the Santa Teresa, NM port of entry. It is quieter and, while farther, more consistent in the time it takes to get through. The girls were very nervous as we pulled up. The border agent asked us a few questions. He then directed us where to park and see the agent in the office to obtain a “Permiso”. (In the next photo the girls pose in front of the border in Santa Teresa, NM)

The Permiso is a document that states where the applicant will be staying in the U.S. and for how long. They are required to check back in when they return. I guess this was instated to track visitors that overstay their visas. It took about 10 minutes. Blanca and Anahi were fingerprinted and photographed again. I paid the $6 each and we were on our way. As we pulled out of the lot, there were big smiles on the girl’s faces.

The trip through New Mexico and into El Paso was very quiet. Blanca seemed impressed by the freeway overpasses; particularly the cloverleaf in downtown. At one point on highway 10, we had a view into a particularly bad slum in Juarez on the right and the University of Texas El Paso on the left. The girls focused on UTEP.

After dropping off the car, we shuttled to the airport. We checked the bags at the curb. I bought the girls Spanish language magazines and we proceeded to security. As we snaked through the cue, a border patrol officer decided to check identification and ask us some questions. He was a pleasant young fellow with blonde hair. I was surprised when he started asking the girls questions in Spanish. After a nervous moment while he had a colleague double check the visas using a magnifying glass, he smiled and gave us back the passports and we proceeded to x-ray.

I could tell the girls were very perplexed by the process. They had never been far from home, let alone in an airport. They took off their shoes, jackets and put their purses and backpacks through the x-ray.

Next we went off toward the gate. The crossing had gone so smoothly that we were two hours early for our flight. We decided to have an early lunch. The girls ordered chicken burritos and were treated to a large-portioned, bland burrito that neither came close to finishing.

Finally we boarded the plane. Southwest’s complicated new numbered boarding procedure is hard for most English speakers to understand. I think they would have been lost without some help. Blanca took the window seat. I was on the aisle. Anahi was in the middle. I had warned them about the acceleration. There were nervous giggles as we took off, but they both handled it well. Blanca took some pictures with a disposable camera she had bought. The desert and mountains looked pretty impressive from the sky. I told the attendant that they had never flown before. She brought them some plastic pilot’s wings, Southwest playing cards, a luggage tag and a pen as souvenirs of their first flight.

As we descended into L.A. Blanca had some trouble clearing her ears. When the landing gear banged into position she gave me a wide-open-eyes look. I assured her it was okay. We were soon at the gate and deplaned. We had an hour to kill at LAX, so I bought them some See’s chocolate. The clerk gave us 2 samples each so the girls were too full to eat what I bought.

Next we boarded the plane for San Jose. Already pros at flying, the girls traded seats with Anahi on the window. They loved seeing the ocean as we climbed out of LAX. They had told me that the ocean was their number one site to see in the U.S.

After arriving in San Jose, we met Joni and her daughter Haley at the baggage claim. The bags came off without incident. We piled into Joni’s Prius and headed to Menlo Park where Judy Hobbs was prepared to greet the girls. (Below, Blanca on the left and Anahi with Haley and Joni Cropper)

Judy’s daughter Brooke joined us. Brooke had just returned from our Mission Trip. The Hobbs’ will be hosting Blanca while she stays in the U.S. Craig and Donna Largent, Anahi’s hosts, joined us soon after. Then my wife Pat and daughter Sara came. Despite some great fruit, and chips with guacamole, the girls still did not eat much. I think they were still a little shell-shocked. (Judy and Brooke Hobbs with Blanca)

(Below are Craig and Donna Largent with Anahi)

After Brooke showed Blanca her room, Donna gave them some gifts of greeting. We then walked to the Largent’s house just a few blocks away and across the street from our house. Blanca and Anahi got to see Anahi’s room.

It was very strange to them that all of us here have pampered dogs. We learned in meeting the Hobbs’ poodle that Blanca is not comfortable with dogs, despite the fact that she has one back home. A dog’s life in Juarez is pretty bleak. None are neutered. All are skinny. Most are strays and few live very long. As I drove around the other day I saw a man throw a rock at a dog who was following him home. I saw another dog with a stump leg. Our dogs, mine included, are given more medical care than most people in the Colonias of Juarez. I wonder what the girls must think.

As I said good night to both the girls and they went off to spend the evening with their hosts, I hoped that they wouldn’t be confused by all they saw around them. I want them to realize that we want to aid them in their lives, not by changing them or making them like us, but by giving them opportunities for education so that they can make their own choices. I hope while they are here that they can learn English and see the love we have for them as God’s children and that they will be changed for the better. Somehow though, I also hope they don’t become like us in many respects. I hope they see all the good I see in the people of their community and that poverty or wealth doesn’t make the person valuable in God’s eyes.

SK

Juarez - Meeting New Kids, Anahi Blanca Shopping

After dropping off the construction team at the El Paso airport, I headed to the back to the Colonias for a three o’clock meeting. Susie, our local librarian for Missions Ministries and the shepherd of our sponsored JCEP kids, had arranged a three o’clock meeting with the five new kids for 2008/2009 and their parents. I made it to the library a little before three and several people were already waiting.

We had a great meeting. I was assisted in translation by Susie’s husband Leo. I outlined the priorities of the program and the responsibilities of the parents and children. Mostly I focused on the need for the parents to commit to having the kids in school until they graduate from high school. I made them all promise to strive for this. I stressed how important for the girls to avoid sex and therefore unwanted children. All the parents nodded in agreement. I told the boys not to be making babies ether. The point being that they need to be responsible and put their future and education as a high priority.

I told them the three main goals are to graduate from school, to learn to use computers and to learn English. I also told them the kids must attend the twice-per-week English classes by Joel. Everyone agreed to the commitment. The five new kids are:



Perla (First Photo), age 12, grade 7. Perla is the daughter of Susana who worksin the Missions Ministries Kitchen.

Edith, age 14, grade 10. Edith has been attending English classes all year and is an excellent student.

Karla (Second Photo), age 15, grade 11, Karla has also been in English classes.

Angel (Third Photo), age 12, Grade 7, Angel is the son of Rosa from Missions Ministries kitchen staff.

Moises, age 14, grade 10, Moises is one of the best students in the English class.

As I left the class, I was glad to see that Blanca and Anahi were waiting for me. The were very excited about their upcoming trip to the U.S. Blanca had her hair cut and dyed for the occasion. Along with Anahi’s younger sister, Naomi, we decided to go shopping for some items they needed for the trip. We headed off to Soriana, the huge, WalMart-like store, about 15 minutes drive from the Colonia.

They mostly bought toiletries and hair stuff – and eye lash curlers. Apparently they needed to replace things that they share with their sisters and mothers. They were very organized and thoughtful. After we were done shopping, we sat down for some ice cream to cool off from the heat.

Juarez Mission Trip - June 25-28

On June 25, 2008 I traveled with a team of 32 people to Juarez to build houses for two families. As usual, we worked with our partners at Missions Ministries on this trip.

One unusual aspect of this trip is that we had one house built primarily by teenagers, called Team Red, led by my daughter Sara and her cousin Hanna. They were accompanied by friends from their schools as well as other teenagers who had signed up for the trip.

The other house was built by a combination of members from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, several of whom came from our new North Campus. Kevin Kim, the youth minister there recruited may of them and led our construction team, dubbed Team Blue. My wife Patricia and my sister-in-law, Mary Jane Elmore were on tam blue as well.

Normally the weather in late June is scorching hot in Juarez. Indeed, when we arrived on June 25, it was pushing above 100 degrees. We did our usual stock up at WalMart for water and supplies, as well as house warming gifts for the two families. We then proceeded to dinner at the local Mexican restaurant, Carlos and Mickey’s. The food was great and it gave the team a chance to relax and bond after our flight. We then took the bus to the team center in the Colonias outside of Juarez, where we slept for the night.

(Team Blue puts up the first wall in the photo at right.)

June 26

We woke up early the next morning and had our devotionals 30 minutes earlier than usual at 6:30, in order to beat the heat. Winslow Yee gave us a great spiritual send off, reminding us that God requires us to serve others. Breakfast followed and we boarded the bus around 7:30.

When we arrived at the build sites, we were pleased to see that the skies were cloudy. In fact the temperature was quite comfortable. We would be building in Kilometer 34, a community carved out of the desert 34 kilometers from the boarder and about seven kilometers from the team center.

Team Red, with 16 teenagers and two brave adults would be building a house for Ruth and Ramon along with their six children and four additional extended family members. Although the house is only 12x36 with three rooms, it would be a big improvement to the shack they were living in. Ruth and her kids would work alongside team Red throughout the process.

Team Blue would be building for Carolina and Lupe. They shared the worst structure I have ever witnessed in Juarez with their son, his wife and four kids. The place was made out of a few sheets of masonite, a truck topper and what looked like pieces of an old boat. It had a dirt floor and ceiling that couldn’t have been more than five feet high. (See the photo below showing Carolina and Lupe's house with the new house we built in the background.)

The goal for each team is to construct the walls and rooms, put in the windows, door and insulation. All this happened the first day in about six hours of work. We are always fortunate to have the concrete slab foundation poured and the lumber cut prior to arrival. The team nails it all together with guidance from Missions Ministries construction leaders Leo and Jesus (Team Blue) and the rest of their team.

About the time we were putting the last nails into the composite roof, the sun broke through the clouds. We hopped on the bus and headed back to the team center for a great lunch.

Immediately we reloaded the bus and headed back to Kilometer 34 and the Marantha Iglesia of Pastor Luis. Luis is the pastor for the two families we were building for. At his church we had a craft fair for the children of his church. We made balloon animals, face painted and took pictures of the kids. They then framed the photos with popsicle sticks decorated by them. (In the photo below Erika Athens and Kelley Stanske get into the facepainting.)

The centerpiece of the craft fair was a project by Charlene Golding and her daughter Caroline. With the help of several other team members, they had children create art, and then photographed the art and the child. Along with a small bio on each child, they will compile a book of the art of approximately twenty children. They will sell the books to raise money for projects in Juarez.

Outside the church, a huge soccer game raged in the heat. Kids from our team and the local church mixed it up on the field of dirt. In the evening the team retired after another great meal and a full day.

June 27

The next morning we did it all over again. We were led in devotion by Charlene. Carlos the MM chef had prepared another great breakfast, but we didn’t savor it too long. We wanted to be back out at the site early again.

Day two is a bit easier than day one. Again we were blessed with morning clouds. We painted the outside of the houses and dry-walled, taped and mudded the inside. Then came the highlight of the trip - turning over the keys to the family. Kevin Kim did the honors for team Blue. Kevin hoped that the family would remember the house as an altar to God and a reminder of his grace.

I was very proud when Hanna and Sara handed over the keys to Ruth and her family (see picture below). As with Team Blue, we all ten prayed for the family and gave them housewarming gifts of blankets, pillows, bed pads, food and a couple of nice iron skillets.

After lunch we again returned to the church, this time for a food outreach. We made sandwiches of ham and cheese, served with chips, watermelon and a drink. The team prepared the plates and then served them to the seated congregation. The whole church and the MPPC team especially liked the finish with ice cream bars as the temperature had again climbed to around 100 degrees.

In the evening we returned to the church for worship with the congregation. The church is small, the same size as the houses we built. It was extremely hot with our 32 MPPC members and 50 or so of the congregation in the small room. Benjamin Kelly from our team played a clarinet song accompanied by Matthew Tsubota on drums. We then had Mark Lipinski, Brooke Hobbs and Winslow Yee, witness to the congregation. After a mercifully (in light of the heat) short sermon, the service was over. The team spent some time saying adios to our new friends and we returned to the team center, our evening complete. (In the photo below Jenny Buurma says shares a moment with a new friend.)


June 28

The next morning, Mary Jane Elmore, led us in devotions, helping us focus on how we had changed and how we would carry forward differently. It is amazing how much one can get from just a four-day trip and serving others. The team then headed to the airport for the trip home.