SPRING/SUMMER 2014 Volume 19
Care for today. Hope for tomorrow.
LETTER from the Director
by Todd Guckenberger, Executive Director of Back2Back Ministries
Thank you for growing with us, and being such an integral part of this ministry culture. We appreciate your role more than you can imagine.
In February, a handful of other Back2Back staff and I attended a three day training entitled “Building Trauma-Competent Caregivers.” Jayne Schooler, a leading national expert on trauma in vulnerable children, asked me to present on Back2Back and our 5-Point Child Development Plan. We were happy to share where God has led us in these last years and to hear their expertise. Continuing to learn and grow is a critical value to us as an organization. As we grow, we strive to always share what we’re learning. As a ministry, Back2Back is entering into a season of greater depth. Our goal is that each child we work with would have an individual plan for daily care, taking into account their history, and working toward their future success. As Back2Back moves into this next season, it is important to continue to fight for orphaned and vulnerable children on the earthly battlefield, but even more so, on the heavenly battlefield. The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. The orphan seems to always be in the enemy’s line of fire. We ask you to join us in praying for each child’s story. Ideally, the children we serve would heal from trauma in a family setting. We recognize in most developing nations where Back2Back serves, institutions are the only legal option to care for orphans and vulnerable children. Alternative
methods of care, such as faith-based foster care, are working on small scales. However, we must work to improve the existing institutions and children’s homes. We refer to this process as “deinstitutionalizing the institution”. Reducing the number of children per dorm, training traumacompetent caregivers, creating an environment of safety, building an interdisciplinary process to support each child, and creating a place where a child’s individual needs are identified are all examples of de-institutionalizing. This represents big changes, and the heart of the partnership with the directors of the homes is not to force “our way”, but to add clarity regarding a standard of care while remembering to always get in the trenches with them to accomplish this goal. Our intentionality in this style of care must be “connection” driven. Each action, and reaction, if done well, can contribute to building back into the children, as they become emotionally healthy. We are working hard to give children every opportunity to grow and heal. Through Back2Back’s literacy programs, education and community centers, tutoring programs, discipleship programs, processes to transition children back to their family of origin, the foster care program, and volunteer programs, we are supporting the child with deep, holistic care. Pray with and for us as staff around the world pour themselves out on behalf of the children we have all grown to love. Pray for wisdom to know how to best apply what we are learning and discernment to manage the thousands of details that arise when theory and practice collide. Thank you for growing with us, and being such an integral part of this ministry culture. We appreciate your role more than you can imagine.
5 VISION We desire for every orphan and impoverished child to have the opportunity for success through “care for today and hope for tomorrow�. The goal is that each child would experience restoration to a life of purpose in which they can become fulfilled and mature Christian adults.
MISSION
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Back2Back Ministries is an international Christian non-profit organization that is dedicated to being a voice for orphans. We exist to love and care for orphans and impoverished children, by meeting their spiritual, physical, educational, emotional and social
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needs that they may overcome their life circumstances and break free from the cycle of generational poverty.
9 17 Quality logo here
We would like to thank Quality Printing for partnering with Back2Back by offering us high-quality printing. This partnership has been a tremendous blessing to the ministry allowing us to expand our communications. Thank you to Quality Printing for this generous gift.
re God will make all things new. Revelations 21:5
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refresh redeem reconcile repair reward restore revive refine receive reveal
by Beth Guckenberger, Back2Back Ministries Co-Executive Director
We are excited to share the new theme for June
gospel storyline, and it sounds like reconciliation,
2014-June 2015. It is the Biblical principle of God
restoration, redemption, rescue, and repair. There is
who makes all things new (Rev. 21:5). He remakes,
a confidence we are in God’s will, when we smell the
renames, and rebuilds all that is broken. The theme
fragrance of a God coming to make broken things
is just two letters, “RE,” but together this year, we will cover these big gospel promises: God will restore, reconcile, redeem, repair, receive, refresh, reveal, reward, refine and revive. I love New Year’s resolutions, school year fresh starts and the first page of a book. I like the idea of new skills, new insights, new challenges, and new dreams. When I first got married, I walked into the grocery store, playing
whole.
“As I go
storyline, one authored by the
looking for
broken down, discouraged and in
more evidence
enemy, who wants us to stay stuck, despair. Praise Jesus He does not leave
of this gospel
us where we are. We don’t have
storyline, I
to stay stuck, because He moves
find more words
that movement and it looks like
us.
Sometimes
we
lean
into
to describe
maturation. Sometimes we resist
God’s-making-
fist at a holy God who is just trying
house like new brides do and saw
things-new
so many foods that had never been
agenda.”
on any table I had sat around. I
There is the opposing
decided to buy something, look it up and then try to make it. That first week, it was spaghetti squash. Not all that exotic, but new to me. As I scrapped out the string like flesh onto my plate, I was filled with delight. This is something new.
and it feels like war. We shake our to show us that the proverbial spaghetti squash is really good, if only we’d try it. As I go looking for more evidence of this gospel storyline, I find
more words to describe God’s-making-things-new agenda. These words sound like revive, and refine, reveal, receive, reassure and remember. God is not just making things new; He is bringing them back to where we started…recall, replenish, reunite, release,
I became hooked and now, almost twenty years
re-establish, return, and renew. It was once all good.
later, every single time I go to the grocery store, I buy
And God’s work in our lives is a continual re-instating
something we have never tried. I suppose if I added
of Eden behavior and return of God’s shalom.
up all my ‘experiments’ over the years, it’s been an expensive habit, but it feels worth it. I see it as an investment. I have been exercising a muscle that says, “there is more out there than you are currently experiencing.” Go on.
As we serve orphans and vulnerable children, this truth is not only a source of incredible hope, but it provides a foundation for our ministry activities. Come alongside us as we study throughout the year. We are excited to learn from Scripture and each
It dares me. And so I look and hope.
other. We look forward to the insights you will bring
In working with orphans, we have found there are
to this discussion as we study, pray and share!
two distinct storylines constantly at war. One is the
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story weaver by Beth Guckenberger, Back2Back Ministries Co-Executive Director
Ronaldo is a kind and generous friend, a respected leader among his peers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He is thoughtful and curious for what God has next for him. During a recent visit, I had a meaningful conversation with him. He was answering a question I had posed about his future. He shared he had a long time dream to own his own recycling business. Ronaldo seemed shy about it, so I tried hard not to overact. I was there visiting with a small team of people, one of whom owns his own recycling business, U.S. Shredder. I invited Bill over to talk with us and then left them alone. As this young man continued to pepper Bill with questions, I marveled that God had brought someone in his path who could offer specific counsel. When Bill returned to the U.S., he researched recycling companies in Haiti and found a company called Haiti Recycling. He reached out and offered to give them advice for their operation and
Ronaldo was
procure them discounts on equipment if, in return, they would consider hiring Ronaldo for a job.
answering a question
In January, Bill traveled back to Haiti, where Ronaldo was
I had posed about
now serving as an intern with the recycling company and new
his future. He shared he had a long time dream to own his
opportunities for partnerships between Executives Without Borders and Back2Back were explored. There are doors being opened that will provide strong community contacts, ongoing funding, job creation and strategic partnerships. This is a story not over yet! If you are interested in learning more about how to be involved
own recycling
with Back2Back Haiti or specifically with this relationship, please let
business.
us know! As always, we are listening and responding as God opens doors and connects people. To learn more about partnering with us, contact bbertke@back2back.org.
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haiti 6
Renewed Lives by Adam Gellenbeck, Back2Back Mazatlan, Mexico
Sixteen-year old Alberto loves textile arts, soccer and skateboarding. He enjoys spending afternoons with Back2Back staff at a local skate park. He strives to be a leader in his children’s home, someone they can look up to and come to for advice. He is passionate about living his life as an example for the younger boys in his dorm. Alberto has a compassionate heart and a desire to serve. “When I grow up, I want to help other people in need,” he says. As an orphaned teen in Mazatlan, Mexico, Alberto could be involved in so many other things besides soccer and skateboarding. Statistics indicate orphaned children have an increased likelihood for involvement in drugs, human trafficking, or the black market. But Alberto is not a statistic, nor are the other four boys at Salvation Army Children’s Home who have no family to visit on the weekend. At Back2Back, we strive to provide children like Alberto with the love and encouragement they need to thrive in the midst of difficult circumstances with no family support. Each weekend, the boys watch as one-by-one the other children are picked up for a weekend visit with a family member. They wonder what they did wrong for their family not to visit them. I love building into these boys for many reasons, but the greatest reason is to share hope with them. I invest in them through fellowship and community, cultivating a sense of belonging and giving them a chance to be themselves. It is amazing how a trip to the movies or dinner together at a taco stand provides a sense of belonging and acceptance. They enjoy typical boy antics – rough-housing and practical jokes, but ultimately each boy has dreams and hopes for his future.
Our goal is to not merely meet each child’s physical needs, but to equip each child with the tools and resources to have successful futures by investing in their spiritual, educational, emotional and social development.
Back2Back’s dream in Mazatlan, Mexico is to build a stronger sense of hope for each of the children we serve, a hope based on the promises of a faithful God. We are in the midst of a land campaign to develop a Back2Back ministry site in Mazatlan, a project that will allow us to better serve children and empower them to break free from the cycle of poverty. This is only possible through the Body of Christ coming together. The vision is for a ministry site that will not only facilitate mission teams and the staff, but also create an environment of hope for each child’s future. The property will also include multi-purpose space for teen retreats, child development, training sessions for local caregivers and churches, and ministry time with current Hope Education Program students. In addition, we will construct six Hope Program houses for teens like Alberto. We envision a Hope Program in Mazatlan that will allow orphaned children to live in a home, experiencing a healthy family life for the first time. The goal is to not merely meet each child’s physical needs, but to equip each child with the tools and resources to have successful futures by investing in their spiritual, emotional, social and educational development. The more time I spend with Alberto, the more I see his incredible potential and just how much God cares for him. I’m grateful to play a role in helping him understand the love of his heavenly Father. I’m excited for the completion of this project, as it will enable us to provide better care for the children we serve, ensuring they have the tools to pursue an education when they age out of the children’s home. As we come alongside orphaned and vulnerable children, we are eager to see how God begins to renew lives and rewrite futures. For more about the Mazatlan vision, please visit www.back2back.org/mazatlanland
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mazatlan 8
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by Tere Garcia, Back2Back Monterrey, Mexico
Estrella’s Journey Making strides with Back2Back’s Faith Based Foster Care Program Four-year old Estrella wakes up and prepares to go to school, knowing that when she returns she will be welcomed by her foster parents into the warmth and safety of a loving home. Estrella began this adventure when she entered Mexico’s new faithbased foster care program three months ago, embarking on a journey God had already planned for her. Now, she is thriving thanks to the love and nurture of her foster parents. In June 2013, the first group of Back2Back foster families began a selection process to participate in a faith-based foster care program “Familias Solidarias.” In August, after initial assessments and training, the first seven families were certified by the state government of Nuevo Leon, where Monterrey, Mexico is located. They were officially ready to receive a foster child under their care . At the end of October, we received the news that Estrella was ready to live with a family. Not long after, the Caceres family welcomed her into their home and hearts. After a process of family meetings, incredibly in only a month, Estrella had already experienced a smooth integration into the family. Since then, God has been moving powerfully in Estrella’s life. She has discovered a new confidence and a sense of worth as God’s child. Estrella is enjoying the attention and care of a family and understanding more of God’s love through them. We believe this is just the beginning of the transformation in her life. We are grateful to see God working through Estrella’s life, bringing hope, restoration and healing through Back2Back’s new faith-based foster care initiative.
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De-institutionalizing
the Institution by Todd Guckenberger, Back2Back Ministries Executive Director
In an ideal scenario, a vulnerable child whose family is in crisis would not spend even one night in an institution, but in a loving, safe, temporary family.
Globally, there is a great debate in regards to institutional care for orphans. One side believes since it is best for a child to be in a family, we should never build or support orphanages. The other side finds family-based care a difficult order to fill and so by default, they end up caring for children in institutional settings. Governments have worked for years to address the social problems caused by poverty of which the growing population of orphans and vulnerable children is included. Stereotypically, orphaned children are cared for in institutions that have allowed governments to standardize methods of care and protect the rights of children. In an ideal scenario, a vulnerable child whose family is in crisis would not spend even one night in an institution, but in a loving, safe, temporary family. The United States foster care program was initially developed with this intent, but today its processes are struggling and can be dysfunctional. It would be revolutionary if the local church would fill this gap and “care for widows and orphans” (James 1:27). In the U.S., programs like Safe Families have made great strides toward family-based care where Christian families step in the gap to care for children and minster to families in crisis. For children who are orphaned, adoption is also a powerful solution. However, internationally in developing nations, the legal parameters to care for children are within a “controllable and practical” environment. Or, in other words, an institution. Confronted with this legal reality, Back2Back has entered a season of developing a plan toward “deinstitutionalizing institutions”. Is it possible to reduce the number of children in a dorm to a manageable family group? Is it possible to have high quality traumacompetent caregivers who develop relationships with children as their primary caregiver? Is it possible to allow for a warm family environment lending to meeting individual needs of each child holistically? These are all questions the Back2Back staff is wrestling with as a development organization that is committed to depth of care for each child we serve. > Enjoy the following stories which feature current progams focused on de-institutionalization.
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We believe Jesus is the true healer of all wounds, and He is equipping us and empowering us as we seek restoration in the lives of the children we serve.
by Juan Porto, Back2Back Monterrey, Mexico
hope education program Through the Hope Education Program, we offer orphaned and vulnerable children a chance to live with host families and pursue a high school and college education. Recently, our paradigm has shifted. We are more convinced than ever that house parents are fundamental to the success of our students. We have made great strides in the area of emotional development, both in the lives of the students, but also in the adults in their lives. We have a fabulous psychology and social work department - a very committed and passionate team. We believe Jesus is the true healer of all wounds, and He is equipping us and empowering us as we seek restoration in the lives of the children we serve. The Hope Education Program is full. We need prayer because there are more applicants than we have spaces. The teens are coming because they see the success of their peers and those that have gone before them. There are many challenges – missing puzzle pieces in the lives of students, and a need for healing. We pray constantly for wisdom and determination. I was praying from Proverbs this week and it says that ‘Love covers all sins.’ I’m striving to understand the depth of what God means when he says we are to love. In my study of the depth of God’s love, it brought me to the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians. I paraphrased some of this chapter considering how to love the students we serve. If I can communicate with the student and understand spiritual things, but do not love, I am nothing more than a dish that makes noise. If I can give God’s word and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not love the student in front of me, I am nothing. If I give the student everything he needs, and if I wear myself out working for him, but do not love, I gain nothing. If I love the student, I am patient, and I am kind to him. I am not envious, boastful or proud. I do not behave rudely. I am not selfish, do not anger easily, and do not keep hard feelings. I will apologize to him, I will believe in him, and I will give him time. True love never dies.
We are more convinced than ever that house parents are fundamental to the success of our students.
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literacy programs by Hope Garcia, Back2Back Monterrey, Mexico
The literacy program has sparked a passion for reading. One of the sweetest sounds to my ears is the hum of little voices sounding out phrases, laughing at funny pictures, and conversing with a partner about what’s going to happen next in a story. These sounds are heard several times a week in Del Norte Children’s Home and Manantial de Amor Children’s Home, where the Back2Back literacy program is in full swing. Back2Back has been reaching out to the children at Del Norte Children’s Home through weekly library classes since the fall of 2012. We now have several committed local volunteers who run the program entirely. A local university has partnered with the program providing one-on-one reading partners for each child once a week. In the fall of 2013, the library at Manantial de Amor opened its doors to the children for the first time. The children come for classes and free reading every Tuesday. Each week, the children participate in group literature classes and independent reading time. Now, nearly all of the children are consistently checking-out library books. The program has sparked a passion for reading! Construction has begun for a new library at El Retiro Juvenil. We hope to be utilizing the facility by the fall of 2014. We are thankful for the many mission trip participants who donated books and served as reading partners. The goal is to one day have a library open in each children’s home we serve.
local volunteers by Lizy Salazar, Back2Back Monterrey, Mexico
Local volunteers have become an integral part of Back2Back’s orphan care ministry. Christians are focusing their attention and resources on behalf of the orphan child and God is awakening in them a passion to serve. We rely on volunteers from the community and local churches to come alongside us as we invest in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children. Through mentorship and discipleship, volunteers play a critical role, providing permanence in the lives of the children. We are excited to see how God will continue to use volunteers in the lives of the children we serve. Now thanks to an established team of faithful volunteers, we have been able to deepen our impact on the lives of children. Through various volunteer programs, the children are gaining a better understanding of the Father’s love. Thank you for joining us by praying that the children would continue to grow through the work of the volunteers. 13
Identity in Christ by Ellen Hernandez, Back2Back Monterrey, Mexico Hope Education Program House Parent
Identity. More than a college degree, a good job, or even a stable family, if there is one thing I desire for the children we serve, it is they would know who they are in Christ and stand firm in that identity. Many have been fed lies and many have chosen to believe lies that they are unlovable, inadequate or broken. Unsure of who they are, they feel pressure to be a certain person or act a certain way depending on the setting or company. They might act one way with caregivers and another way with their teachers, peers, or siblings.They try to be the person they think will please the other person. However, when any of these situations intersect, it produces feelings of embarrassment or shame for the child, because they don’t know how to act. They feel uncomfortable when a caregiver meets with them and their teacher, when their birth mom comes to visit and interacts with their friends, or any number of other possible combinations. They ask, “Who should I be in this situation?” When they replace the lies with God’s truths: “I am loved,” “God’s grace is enough,” and “God has a plan and a purpose for my life,” they will come to the understanding “a Jesus follower” is always going to be the correct answer. Our hope and prayer for each child we serve is they would be confident in who God has created them to be and what He is doing in their lives. This truth produces incredible freedom and eliminates the need to perform. Only then will they experience the freedom that comes from understanding their true identity is rooted in Christ. Ultimately, this is a job only the Holy Spirit can bring to completion, and it is a battle that needs to be fought on our knees. It is certainly my prayer for the eight Hope Education Program boys who live with my family and for each child we serve.
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india 15
They Can’t Stay Here
by Casey Foreman, Back2Back India Director
“You need to take them. If you don’t, I’ll send them back to their village and the life they had. They can’t stay here.” The words were biting, but the reality even more so. We hadn’t expected this outcome and definitely weren’t prepared for such a turnabout. We negotiated a temporary “stay” but in India, a country with 1.2 billion people, finding another safe environment wouldn’t be easy – especially when mentioning to a potential landlord the number “fifteen” and “children” in the same sentence.
Only God could enable raising 100% of the funds required to build four family-style homes, mission team housing and infrastructure within a matter of 90 days.
Of course, it wasn’t only a physical shelter we needed. We also needed someone to stay with the girls and care for them. In the days and weeks that followed, we scrambled, we searched, we prayed…and God provided shelter; a newly constructed house in which we would occupy the top two floors. We also prayed for caregivers, and God answered by providing two nurturing caretakers for the children. In less than 6 weeks time, God provided answer after answer to prayers of desperation. His answer was to provide the girls much nicer housing than they’d known before. His answer was to provide them bunk beds with mattresses – the first time they’ve slept on anything other than a floor. Physically and emotionally, God has responded to our prayers and enabled us to establish a stronger platform for the continued healthy and holistic development of these children. Still, we knew the housing wasn’t ideal as the bedrooms are cramped, children are divided as a result of a floor plan intended to accommodate three separate tenants rather than a family, and there is no outside space to play. So again we prayed, and God’s answer was big!
This time though, His answer came through a storyline He began revealing to us some eighteen months earlier when our India ministry manager, Mr. Devadass, shared his vision for land he had purchased years ago as an inheritance for his two daughters. Because of his great love for children and to honor the memory of his son Samuel, who died of leukemia at age 12, he wanted to donate the land to Back2Back to be used as a children’s campus, and serve as a light of hope to the surrounding villages. His dream was beautiful. From that point forward, the momentum can only be explained by God’s mighty hand and outstretched arm. A church in the U.K. made a large donation, and a series of other gifts from individual ministry partners – several of whom were new to the ministry - began arriving. All were generous and essential to the effort. Churches joined with us too; a church in Maryland and one from Ohio. A family who sponsors one of the girls held a fundraiser and invited their Indian prayer group to participate. An anonymous donation from another ministry partner not only closed the gap on Phase I, but also funded Phase II. In one project, according to His timing and in His strength, God brought forth all the resources we needed through mission team partners, child sponsorship partners, church partners and prayer partners, from the U.S., the U.K. and India. Only God could enable raising 100% of the funds required to build four family-style homes, mission team housing and infrastructure within a matter of 90 days! We will soon be moving the children into their new home, the Back2Back Suzuki Samuel Children’s Campus. It will be an oasis where the children will experience God’s great love for them and His miraculous provision. We will have the physical space that will serve as shelter to support our effort to bring about greater depth in each of their five key development areas: spiritual, physical, educational, emotional and social.
Back2Back Suzuki Samuel Children’s Campus
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moses’ Confidence by Leah Smart, Back2Back Jos, Nigeria
Fourteen year old Moses likes to play soccer and spend time with his friends. He resides at Destiny’s Home and attends Mashiah Foundations Academy in Nigeria, near the ministry base in Jos. We are thrilled to work together with the school, which was birthed out of a desire to serve the low income community in Jos, to provide improved educational services to several of the Destiny children. Mary Beth, the director, continually trains her teachers and has strict standards for placement and graduation. These are high values for the children we have come to love and serve. When Moses was initially tested for Mashiah, based on his reading score, he should have been placed at the Beginning, Grade 1. However, Mary Beth has a special class for children like Moses, which she simply calls, Foundations. The children in this class concentrate on reading and math, so that they can catch up with their peers as quickly as possible. Last fall, before Moses began attending Mashiah, he was matched with a sponsor family from the U.S. through Back2Back’s Child Sponsorship Program. In Moses’ first letter to them, I struggled to get him to tell me what he wanted to say. He had difficulty articulating his thoughts, and he refused to attempt to write the
Moses’ confidence has soared since he joined Mashiah. He is reveling in the social atmosphere at school. He enjoys the social interaction with peers and adults and is thriving in this new academic environment.
sponsor letter. That was before he started at Mashiah. Moses’ confidence has soared since he joined Mashiah. He is reveling in the social atmosphere at school. He enjoys the social interaction with peers and adults and is thriving in this new academic environment. Twice a week, he likes to stay and play soccer after school. He is growing tremendously through the care and attention of the teachers. Recently, we sat down with him again to share another sponsor letter with him. As we began to write a response, Moses announced,“I will write my own letter!” And that is precisely what he did. I was amazed by the improvement in his confidence from the previous time we had worked on writing a sponsor letter. It was so encouraging to see him write his own letter to his sponsor! We are thankful for the opportunity for Moses to continue to pursue his education thanks to the generosity of ministry partners!
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Nigeria 18 22
We have to
let God heal us in order to
heal others. The beauty of the Gospel is rooted in a word that we as a staff continue to come back to:
Connection.
willing hearts
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by Hannah Fay, Back2Back Monterrey, Mexico
Every Thursday morning, I pack up a white board
experiences in life that inhibit us from retaining
and stand, projector and laptop, grab my coffee
the good things God gives us and in turn from
and join the morning commuters on their way into
pouring out to others. How is this done? We have
Monterrey, Mexico. My destination is a children’s
to let God heal us in order to heal others. The
home situated on the north side of town where
beauty of the Gospel is rooted in a word we as a
a team of workers await me. I’m greeted by tired
staff continue to come back to: connection. God’s
but friendly smiles as I walk in the door, where I’m
whole model sets the stage for how we are to care
made to feel as if I’m part of the team. Another Back2Back staff person arrives, who spends most of her days connecting with the ladies who run this home and the children who live there, and she joins in with all the jokes of the week. One has brought the coffee. Another brought the Mexican morning sweet breads to share and everyone finishes their tasks and comes to the table with their training binders. They know for the next few hours they will be
for His children. He created us to
“I see you for who you are, not what you do.”
be in connection with Him and,
“I know you by name.”
in and restore us. He reminds us
“You aren’t too much for me.” “You and I are on a team, and we are going to confront this behavior together.”
able to rest and receive.
as a result of our connection with Him, we can allow Him to come when we remain in Him our fruit looks really different than when we try to do it on our own. It’s the same message for the workers and also for the children. Their fruit or behavior is a direct result of a lack of connection. In order to change their behavior, we have to provide that connection for them. The kind which says, “I see you
The new training series Back2Back is kicking off in
for who you are, not what you do.” “I know you by
the children’s homes focuses on training workers in
name.“ “You aren’t too much for me.” “You and I
the best practices of trauma-competent caregiving.
are on a team, and we are going to confront this
Acknowledging the children we serve have all
behavior together.”
experienced the trauma of being abandoned in a
The 78 year old director, who founded the home
children’s home, we are committed to empowering
18 years ago, raises her hand to comment. She
and equipping workers to accompany children on
immediately has everyone’s full attention. “Ladies,”
their healing journey. We have learned it’s much
she says,“It’s true what Hannah says. We have to be
more about connection than correction. In order
willing to look at what has worked and what hasn’t
to continue pouring out of our vessels every day to
worked, but it all starts with willing hearts. What
meet the needs of the children we serve, we have
we need are willing hearts”.
to fill up as well. We have to acknowledge our
Training developed from David and Jayne Schooler’s material, Building Trauma-Competent Care Givers.
own vessels have cracks and chips from different
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More Than We Could Ask or Imagine God showed us He will do more miracles, transform more lives and restore more hearts because of the opportunities for programs and outreach through the Tres Reyes Community Center in Cancun, Mexico.
by Julie Mowery, Back2Back Cancun, Mexico
What exactly is a community center? How will the community center in Tres Reyes help the children and families who live there? We are frequently asked these questions when we share about the community center project for the underdeveloped community of Tres Reyes, southwest of Cancun, Mexico. They are probably easiest to answer by explaining how we are currently serving this community. We have been serving Gloria and her family, along with Pastor Victor and his church in Tres Reyes for over two years. In October 2013, we purchased 他 of an acre of land situated on the main road into Tres Reyes and just up the road from the only bus stop in the community. In November, we held a groundbreaking ceremony on the land and invited the community to join us for food, games and a dedication of the land. It was on 21
cancun
that day God provided a vision of how He was going to use this land and the community center for the people of Tres Reyes. God wants to show us more and do more than anything we could ask or imagine. God showed us He will do more miracles, transform more lives and restore more hearts because of the opportunities for programs and outreach through the Tres Reyes Community Center. We are already building into the community and utilizing the land for outreach and classes for the community. Recently, we had our first medical outreach on the property and over 140 people were treated. Some of the children who came have been coming to our Bible classes. They were so excited and happy playing together. We are using the existing building on the property to have classes that focus on Bible teaching and spiritual development. Liset is one of the girls who consistently
comes to our children’s classes. She is usually one of the first children to arrive, as she is eager to learn. Liset has a beautiful smile; she is attentive and engaged. She has a sweet, kind spirit. She learns the songs, memorizes Bible verses, and she is always helpful. I know God has an amazing plan for Liset. He has a plan to give her more than she could ever ask or imagine. I was out with a mission group one day in another part of Tres Reyes, delivering groceries to a family, when I heard someone calling my name. I looked and saw Liset running toward me. With excitement, she asked what I was doing in that area of Tres Reyes and if she could show me her home. Nestled between several structures just like
it, she invited me in through the door made of remnants of particle board and tarp to pay a visit to her family. Stepping over rocks and rubble to enter, my eyes scanned the 10’ x 10’ one room structure her family calls home. Now every time I see Liset, I think about her home and her family situation. I’m excited for the opportunities she will have once the center is complete. Back2Back Cancun is excited to provide more assistance to children and families who need help, whether spiritual, physical, educational, emotional or social. We are excited to deepen our relationships with more families and serve them at their points of greatest need. We hope to introduce them to Christ, who wants to give them more than they could ever ask or imagine. To learn more about Back2Back’s plan for this community, please visit www.back2back.org/CancunCommunityCenter
‘‘
I know I have the
heart of a pastor inside me.
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young & free
by Chris Cox, One21 Director
The room is starting to fill with young faces wearing expressions of excitement and interest. Each student who enters carries a sense of ownership, an atmosphere of belonging, and an anticipation of hope. There is also a sense of wonder and caution hiding below the surface. It’s the first time most of these students have been invited to share in this part of the story. When the “One21 Retreat” had started three years earlier, most of these teenagers were skeptical at best. They were unsure of its purpose and its place in their lives. Most of them didn’t attend that first year. In fact, in the first year, the retreat hosted a total of 85 teenagers, caregivers and Back2Back staff. The students gathering tonight were preparing to lead a retreat for 185 teenagers, most of whom were coming from the same children’s homes these students had dwelled in. The practical implications of Back2Back’s commitment to “deepen holistic care for each child we serve” is evident in the progression of the Hope Program students and their involvement in the One21 Retreat in Monterrey, Mexico. Three years ago, there were zero students involved in leading the retreat. Last year, six students shared their testimonies. This year, there are fourteen Hope Education Program students sitting in a living room planning the retreat. These students won’t only be sharing their testimonies, but they will be the captains (small group leaders), worship leaders, and preachers. Looking around this circle, it is easy to see the Story of God at work. This is a room full of young men and women who, not that long ago, were defining themselves by the word “orphan.” That lie is becoming harder to believe. Now they are college students, photographers, graphic artists, nurses, storytellers, musicians, athletes, artists, and followers of Jesus. In 2013, Mario was one of the six Hope Education students who was asked to share his story with the teenagers. He was so impacted by the healing he found in sharing his story that he committed to
Mario didn’t just share his story – he shared the Gospel. A room full of teenagers were relating to a young man who had chosen to wrestle with God, forgive his parents, believe in himself, and find freedom in the love of Jesus.
pursuing God’s calling on his life. At the post-retreat meeting, Mario shared, “I know I have the heart of a pastor inside me. I want to do something with that.” Now, a year later, Mario is sitting in a room filled with other Hope Program students, all preparing to be pastors for the weekend. He has no idea God has written a special part for him in this retreat. As the gathering ends and the students begin to leave, Mario is asked to stay. He is given the invitation to dig deeper into his story and speak at one of the main sessions during the weekend. He humbly accepts the invitation and begins to compose the words he will share. Two days later, Mario is standing at the front of a chapel full of students. He is articulate, funny, vulnerable, and intentional. He didn’t just share his story – he shared the Gospel. A room full of teenagers were relating to a young man who had chosen to wrestle with God, forgive his parents, believe in himself, and find freedom in the love of Jesus. This became a defining moment of a retreat themed “Young and Free.” It is true - Mario does have the heart of a pastor inside of him.
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Discovering the Joy of Service
Mazatlán
El Limon
A mission team from Riverview Church in Michigan partnered with children from an children’s home in El Limon, Mexico to serve other orphaned children 14 hours away in Mazatlan, Mexico. The experience provided orphaned children a unique opportunity to engage in missions. Through work projects, field trips and relational ministry, the team encouraged several children’s homes in Mazatlan. Despite language barriers and cultural differences, the 32 trip participants served side-by-side as one unified team. They were driven by a shared sense of purpose and fueled by the hope of a God who brings restoration to the orphan child. “One half of the group spoke no Spanish and the other half spoke no English. The nervousness started to lift and walls came down. We served side-by-side that week with joy,” says Gary Rudnicki, Riverview Church mission’s leader. The trip was a powerful opportunity for children, who regularly have mission groups serve them, to reach out to other children in need. God’s hand was moving in the children’s hearts and minds, as they discovered the joy of service.
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Kids long to know that they can make an impact on the world. Back2Back Ministries is excited to inspire kids to do just that, by partnering with Standard Publishing to offer Jungle Safari Vacation Bible School, a curriculum that empowers students to engage in service opportunities that benefit orphans Back2Back serves.
“Our hope with this curriculum is to resource churches to help open kids’ eyes to the needs in their community and around the world. We have the opportunity to invest in this next generation, to show them how God sees the fatherless, and understand how He wants to use them. We believe that by inspiring kids through true stories, they will begin to understand they can make a personal contribution to caring for orphans,” Beth Guckenberger Back2Back Co-Executive Director
Learn more and send this link to your church’s children’s pastor vacationbibleschool.com For additional info, contact vbs@back2back.org
missiontrip refl mazatlan, MeXico Gary Rudnicki Mission Trip Participant
In January, two mission teams traveled from different corners of the continent to meet in Mazatlan. Many of the participants from our church had never served on a mission trip before and weren’t sure what they would be experiencing. We met in our team home with a little bit of apprehension in the air. The Back2Back staff took us to the beach and led us through some icebreaker exercises together. One half of the group spoke no Spanish and the other half spoke no English. It didn’t matter. The nervousness started to lift and walls came down. By the end of that first day, the team was starting to form. We served side-by-side that week with joy. Despite the language barriers, long conversations somehow happened. We learned about each other, laughed at ourselves and consoled each other through some of our experiences. We did our ‘picture of the day’ experience at the end of each day, as one group of 32 rather than two groups of 16. We were one team. The Riverview men are forever changed. We have new Facebook friends, share an occasional international Skype and many of the guys are now sponsoring their new mission partners through Back2Back’s Child Sponsorship Program. The guys are already asking when they can sign up for next year’s joint trip. As Riverview’s Mexico missions leader, this model of teamwork is something I see as a potential long-term option for short-term mission trips. With Mama Paulita’s remote location and a lack of visiting mission teams, this arrangement is an excellent way to develop relationships and sponsorships for the children. We look forward to continuing to partner with Back2Back to provide Care for Today and Hope for Tomorrow. Read more about this mission trip on page 25. 27
Port-au-Prince, haiti
JOS, NIgeria
Last month, I spent a month in Haiti caring after orphans, shoveling gravel, building picnic benches, and simply loving on God’s people. Reflection stirs up many different emotions inside of me: emotions of joy, sadness, excitement, and serenity are a few. A piece of my heart will always remain in that extra-special place. Seeing Jesus at work in the midst of the broken was more than just beautiful; it was life changing. Departing Haiti was one of the most difficult things I have ever experienced. When you grow to love someone or a group of people, goodbyes are difficult. Since leaving Haiti, God changed my heart. He humbled it, mended it, and instilled in it more love than it has ever had before. The children have been permanently implanted into my brain. I still hear their little voices in my head shouting “Merci”! Jesus has an extra-special plan for each one of the children we were able to come in contact with. He has made them more beautiful than anyone could ever imagine. I look at pictures of the children now, and I see joy. I see gladness. I see happiness. I am so thankful I serve such a huge God who loves the orphan and who has given me a heart that loves orphans as well. This trip was just the beginning for me. Haiti will always have my heart, and I cannot wait to return in the near future to see the growth since we left. Jesus brought hope to the hopeless. Jesus sent me out of the country to realize His power and to gain a larger understanding of who He is. I am so very thankful. The story isn’t over yet.
When you read the story of the woman who poured perfume on Jesus feet, you can’t help but notice how cultural barriers could not stop her from expressing her gratefulness. During my last visit to Nigeria, I got to experience a smaller but equally beautiful version of gratefulness. I was visiting one of the children homes we work with just outside the city of Jos. A woman named Anna is employed by this home to help the directors care for the children during the day. Anna is a widow who is also the mother of Jeremiah, a sponsored child in our education center. As we were leaving, I noticed Anna looking at me as if she wanted to say something. I said goodbye and turned to walk out with everyone else. As I was leaving, she gave me a side hug. With the little English she knew and with everyone watching, she told me how grateful she was for providing her son with a good education. Wow! In Nigerian culture, this would not be how a woman would thank a man she barely knew. Our Nigerian staff said she was desperately grateful. Recently, Anna met Jeremiah’s sponsor and was able to humbly thank him with heartfelt sincerity.
Jamie Mitchell Mission Trip Participant
Jason Munafo Mission Trip Participant
lections
them achieve it. I don’t know the full impact of this trip on my life yet because I know it won’t be my last mission trip. I just know I was truly blessed to have been a part of it.
Cancun, Mexico
Kathy Lawson Mission Trip Participant
Hyderabad, India Matthew Smith Mission Trip Participant
India. What does that word bring to your mind? Before my trip, I would have thought of the Taj Mahal or the Ganges River, but now my mind races to the smiling faces, hugs and laughter of the beautiful children of India who Back2Back serves. What is occurring in India today is a living miracle. From the vacant land we prayed over a few months ago, there are now children’s homes rising where children will come to know God and His grace through the love and care they will receive. Staff members work tirelessly to serve and support the children in a harsh environment. Before November, I had heard of Back2Back’s success in India, but through my trip there I saw His work in action. Now, I not only understand but remember. May God bless Back2Back’s ministry in India for generations to come.
I had wanted to participate in a mission trip for over ten years. For numerous reasons it hadn’t happened yet. I was having lunch with a dear friend who was going to Cancun in just a little over two weeks. I shared that I’d love to participate if it wasn’t too late. It was amazing to watch God open doors over the next several days to allow me to go at the last minute. I had heard so many people say a mission trip would be life changing, and they were right. I can’t even explain all the reasons why. Seeing the conditions the people, especially the children, live in touched me because they were warm and welcoming. I realized how much I take for granted - the everyday conveniences and luxuries I have. I saw how far that care, compassion and a little time can go. I watched people pull together from different walks of life to help make a difference in the children’s lives. I saw the vision of Back2Back Ministries for Cancun and the dedication of others to help
Monterrey, MeXico Nathan Bills Mission Trip Participant
Stony Creek Community Church is pleased to have a partnership with Back2Back. It brings us great joy to be able to serve alongside the ministry. Partnering with Back2Back Ministries has been one of the greatest privileges and joys in my ministry. Over the last three years, we have sent four mission trip teams from our church to partner with Back2Back Mexico. We have yet to see a life that has returned unchanged. The favor and blessing of God is so present on this ministry and we have seen over and over again the real impact that is being made in the life of the orphan. We have been so impressed with Back2Back staff’s compassion, humility, and selfless service to the Lord.
STORYWEAVER
Tales of the Ones Led Out is the third book in the popular Storyweaver series by Standard Publishing. Beth Guckenberger, Co-Executive Director of Back2Back Ministries, paints a picture of God’s dynamic movement in different cultures, inspiring readers to trust that God the Defender is working in their stories as well.
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“Tales of the Ones Led Out comes from the promise God made to His children in the book of John. This loving Shepherd has His eye on every one of the 163 million fatherless and it was a privilege to share the stories of five of them. Join us on this journey of discovering how God loves us, each one.” Beth Guckenberger
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you on a es. Travel ow what the great who agine!
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Christian // Social Social Issues Issues
Available at your local Christian bookstore and online retailers. STORYWEAVER
10/2/13 10:10 PM
Child Sponsorship
3 ways you can
make a difference in the life of a
29
child
by Tallie Betscher, Child Sponsorship Coordinator
Looking Back & moving forward Starting a child sponsorship program was not initially on Back2Back’s list of things to do. As we learned about and developed holistic orphan care, we realized child sponsorship could help provide the needed holistic care for the children we serve. To go deeper with each child would require a team of people to help us. Sponsorship is a way to connect caring people with the children who need them. At just the right time, as He always does, God opened the doors for us to start a child sponsorship program. Research shows child sponsorship to have measurable and long-term impact on children’s lives. Studies show 27 – 40% of sponsored children are more likely to complete secondary school, and 50 - 80% percent are more likely to complete a university education. Studies measuring impact on job quality show sponsored children are 35% more likely to obtain a professional job. Children embrace their futures with a hopeful perspective, as sponsorship expands children’s views about their own possibilities, which promotes positive change. It has been exciting to see what God has been able to do with a program we left in His hands to lead and guide. One of our favorite verses at Back2Back is “Do not despise small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10). I believe with everything in me God delights to use ministries like Back2Back because, when we do something right, it is God who gets the glory. Over the past three years, we have seen a 90% growth in child sponsorship each year. There are now 525 children in the program, spanning 20 children’s homes or communities, and four countries. This growth is a blessing and encourages continued prayer for the remaining 16% of the children to be sponsored. Through child sponsorship, we have been able to improve the diets of the children, make improvements to facilities where they live, hire tutors and psychologists, and raise the pay of caretakers. Our ability to promote healthy development for the children is a direct result of the generosity of sponsors. Children are thriving as they build relationships with people they know pray and care for them. That relationship alone does miracles in the lives of the children we serve. We invite you to pray with us about becoming a child sponsor. As we have grown, we have also learned. We have seen things that work well and opportunities to grow. At Back2Back, we are not afraid to change and are constantly asking ourselves how we can improve. As a result of questions like this, we have made some exciting changes to our Back2Back’s Child Sponsorship Program. Moving forward, we will offer three levels of sponsorship, to span a greater range of partnership opportunities. We will begin to provide more frequent updates to sponsors to describe how their sponsorship donation is being used to improve the life of their sponsored child. It is our goal for each child to have an individualized plan for holistic care in the five key areas: spiritual, physical, educational, emotional, and social health. Would you join us through sponsorship to nourish, restore or transform the lives of the children we serve?
nourish
restore transform every child
every home
Provide for every day practical needs of orphaned children living in Haiti, India, Nigeria and Mexico.
Connect with a child personally and help meet spiritual, physical, educational, emotional and social needs.
Invest in transformational change for a child’s orphanage or community to make a lasting impact.
$25 a month
$100 a month
$250 a month
every day
Learn how you can make a difference in the life of a child through sponsorship today. www.back2back.org/sponsor 30
Back2Back Ministries P.O. Box 70 Mason, OH 45040
a night of
Hope
Saturday November 8, 2014 6:00pm Reception 7:30pm Dinner & Program Duke Energy Convention Center Cincinnati, Ohio
Available via live simulcast