Back2back fall magazine 2015

SUMMER/FALL 2015 VOLUME 23

Care for today.

Hope for tomorrow.

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

by Todd Guckenberger, Executive Director of Back2Back Ministries

This week in Back2Back’s U.S. office, staff gathered to pray for two couples moving to Mexico to join the Back2Back worldwide staff of 180 dedicated individuals serving the orphan. In the months leading up to their departure, they were immersed in orientation meetings covering everything from Back2Back’s vision and mission to detailed strategy.

Every time

“Expect to be frequently asked ‘What is your greatest need’?,” I shared while meeting with them. “The answer is always: human. As an organization, our highest calling is life-on-life ministry with orphans and vulnerable children. To accomplish this, we need competent, qualified and called individuals. You are meeting this great need. We are committed to providing for the individual needs of each child we serve. Invite others to do the same. Every time someone shows up, it’s a win for the child and the kingdom.”

someone shows up, it’s a win for the child and the kingdom.

This year alone, Back2Back sites managed over 60,000 human hours - individuals who served internationally on mission trips. That is a lot of investment in children!

Each fall, international and U.S. directors gather in Cincinnati, Ohio for organizational strategic planning and leadership development. This year, we explored how to maximize time and human capital to ensure we are being faithful stewards of resources. As a team, we evaluated the impact of current programs and asked God for discernment as we consider how to move forward.

We started a conversation about outcomes and outputs – a dialogue that has fostered confidence among staff by confirming the eternal value of orphan care work. There are plenty of new opportunities and exciting developments coming our direction, but our greatest prayer is which way, where, with whom and how.

We are called to be faithful, to listen well and lead well, but ultimately we recognize God is in control of the outcomes. We commit to lean in to God as He leads us this fall, and we invite you to join us in this prayer!

7 One Year, 16 Lives 15 Finding Forgiveness

VISION

We desire for every orphan and vulnerable child to have the opportunity for success through “Care for today and Hope for tomorrow�. The goal is each child would experience restoration to a life of purpose in which they can become fulfilled and mature Christian adults.

9 Just Like Abigail

MISSION

Back2Back Ministries is an international Christian non-profit organization dedicated to being a voice for orphans. We exist to love and care for orphans and vulnerable children, by meeting their spiritual, physical, educational, emotional and social needs so they may overcome their life circumstances and break free from the cycle of generational poverty.

11 Standing Tall 18 Beautiful Things

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.

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ON BEING

TYLER’S MOM

by Beth Guckenberger, Co-Executive Director of Back2Back Ministries

Back2Back places great importance on individualized care for each child. The big idea is to offer children resources that encourage their continued growth and foster their restoration. We’ve increased training and refined conversations so we think in terms of people instead of programs. Never have Todd and I felt more convinced this is the right approach than this summer when we transitioned a young man into our forever family.

In June, Todd and I adopted a twelve-year-old boy from Monterrey, Mexico. We entered the courtroom as two pre-adoptive parents and one ward of the state and when we walked out, the law formalized what we had been feeling; we are a family. We have spent the 100 days since introducing Tyler to family life. It’s taken extraordinary effort by all three of us to begin to ask what we need of each other and to believe in what God is building.

Todd and I are desperate for Tyler to “catch up,” but traditional parenting skills are challenged, as we love and parent a child from a hurt place. We try to remember daily (and sometimes hourly) to lovingly “connect before we correct” with Tyler, practices we have learned through training with Back2Back. We’ve spent the summer talking to Tyler about our family life scripts, the phrases and values that make us (and now him) a Guckenberger. We have learned over time how these seemingly simple principles provide a basis of understanding for the children we work with, a common language for those who serve them and a reinforcement of the most important messages.

Summer soon transitioned to back-to-school season.

Tyler jumped in feet first, quickly joining a soccer team where he is learning about risk and reward and understanding how to think in terms of a team. These valuable life lessons reinforce our conversations at home as we talk with Tyler about what it means to think as a family and not only look out for yourself (a hard habit to break when you’ve grown up in an institutional setting).

We continue to offer him more choices (Would you like to watch a movie or play outside?) so he can find and use his voice. We are trying to say “yes” as often as possible, as that builds trust and enhances our connection. These insights and best practices are drawn from solid research and hard-fought experiences from the field, and living them out in our home is reinforcing the conviction: wherever they live, every child needs individualized, holistic care and attention.

If you ask Tyler what’s the biggest difference in his life today, he won’t talk about his room, or video games or his bike, he’ll tell you it’s all the people he’s surrounded with who care about him: grandparents, siblings, cousins, teachers, friends, neighbors, youth pastors, uncles and aunts, coaches and parents. These meaningful voices are saying to him, “We see you. You are loved. You are delighted in.” In this same way, we want teams of people to surround each child in the larger Back2Back community. We invite you as a mission trip guest, child sponsor, ministry partner, prayer warrior, staff member, intern, volunteer, whomever you are, please come join a chorus of others who are saying to each individual child, “We see you. You are loved. You are delighted in.”

We invite you as a mission trip guest, child sponsor, ministry partner, prayer warrior, staff member, intern, volunteer, whomever you are, please join a chorus of others who are saying to each individual child, “We see you. You are loved. You are delighted in.”

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EXPLORE

DEFINE

DEEPEN

Over the past 18 years, Back2Back has entered into numerous partnerships with likeminded organizations and children’s homes across the globe. We enter each relationship with a fervent and willing spirit to exhaust every avenue to make the partnership work.

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THE LONG HAUL

by Todd Guckenberger, Executive Director of Back2Back Ministries

The lessons we have learned about partnerships have been hard-earned. Over the past 18 years, Back2Back has entered into numerous partnerships with like-minded organizations and children’s homes across the globe. We enter each relationship with a fervent and willing spirit to exhaust every avenue to make the partnership work.

We have developed intentional structure when establishing partnerships using clear communication and collaboration as the guide (see the sidebar). We deeply value being relational and invitational, and Back2Back views the partnership process as part of a long continuum with distinct stages, just like any healthy relationship.

Through restored lives, we have witnessed overwhelming proof of the transformative power of strong partnerships. In the fall of 2013, Back2Back launched a Haiti site, and factoring in earlier learning, we knew we needed to go slowly. Soon after Brent and Anna Fudge landed in Haiti, they began to spend time in a home called Harvest Care, led by Haitian nationals. Brent understood he needed to first foster a relationship, then bring resources to them. There are challenges in this approach, as it can feel crippling to see needs that can be met by financial resources and not rush to do so, but going slow pays rich dividends. Within six months, the home director signed a partnership agreement based on shared expectations and values, and not on a relationship based on provision. This is just one example of how we are committed to seeing a partnership successfully care for the children.

There are also hard, cautionary tales where we made the difficult decision to discontinue working with a particular home, usually due to one of three collisions: (1) a difference in standards of care (2) a home not meeting the local governmental standards of care, and as a result the government forces the home to shut its doors or (3) a director of a children’s home refusing transparency and accountability, often in the form of an organized board of directors.

Despite the challenges, Back2Back is in this for the long haul. We see the strength of healthy partnerships and feel the responsibility to press ahead, leveraging healthy partnerships to improve the quality of care for orphans and vulnerable children. Please pray. We need discernment, wisdom, favor, and patience every day. Pray for the staff and leadership. We ask for your grace as we navigate these challenges daily.

EXPLORE Across all ministry locations, Back2Back partners with existing children’s homes and for this reason it’s necessary to establish an exploration process to get acquainted. This requires tremendous intentionality as it can take months, even up to a year, before we can definitively say, “We are all in.” Similar to a typical dating relationship, at the onset of a potential partnership, both parties generally think, ‘this will be great’ and sometimes it is, but other times after months of exploration, we part ways grateful we haven’t overcommitted too early.

DEFINE After a season of exploring, we clearly define the relationship.

We intentionally choose to partner with children’s homes that exhibit a sincere desire to move in the direction of holistic orphan care, as this will become our common ground.

Without common ground, conflict can arise from a variety of scenarios (i.e. a home might continue to invite children into the home without increasing the number of caregivers to ensure quality care). Clearly defining expectations can be challenging due to cultural differences, varying standards, competing values and spiritual warfare, but it is essential for lasting partnerships.

DEEPEN Back2Back is fully committed to the care of orphans – we are in this for the long haul. We firmly believe in the tremendous value and strength of partnering with locally led organizations, churches and children’s homes to bring hope and healing to orphans and vulnerable children. We invest in partnership relationships by communicating consistently to deepen trust and collaboration. The potential to impact children only grows when we pool resources, time, effort and influence.

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ONE YEAR 16LIVES

It is the children, with their bright eyes, giant smiles and welcoming hearts that drew Back2Back to Haiti. It has been nearly two years since we first forged a relationship with Harvest Care Children’s Home outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The concrete walls, the dusty ground and murky swamp surrounding the shell of a building was jarring. The interior was stark too - bare except for a rickety kitchen table and a sparsely furnished sleeping area.

What the directors of the home lacked in resources, they made up for with their deep dedication to the sixteen children who call Harvest Care home.

They engaged with each child through intentional play and meaningful interactions, nurturing them, carving out a space of safety and love for them to grow socially and emotionally. As Back2Back’s relationship with the directors grew, a partnership was formed with the home. Staff and mission teams began filling the swamp with truckloads of gravel, building and outfitting bunk beds for each child, updating the home with a new kitchen, laying a cement patio in place of sharp rocks, building a playground and overhauling indoor plumbing so the children would no longer have to rely on outdoor plumbing. The property today looks vastly different from just two short years ago.

The kids look different too. As mission trip guests met the children, relationships were forged and the kids were sponsored through Back2Back’s Child Sponsorship Program. For the first time, caregivers had the resources to supplement the children’s diet ensuring they received balanced meals. Staff and volunteers quickly noticed a marked improvement in their overall health and energy levels. Today, the children are healthy and strong. The pantry is fully stocked and the shelves of the fridge are lined with fresh fruits and vegetables.

With full bellies, the children are able to better concentrate in school, and they are thriving academically.

God has long been moving in the hearts of the children of Harvest Care using caregivers. Today, we’ve joined with mission trips guests and staff to continue to provide crucial care and support. In the midst of a country struggling to recover from the devastation of an earthquake, Harvest Care continues to transform.

Children are receiving deep holistic care – spiritually, physically, educationally, emotionally and socially. Sixteen lives, sixteen boys and girls, know they are loved. They are not forgotten. They are sons and daughters of a big God who sees and loves them.

Brent & Anna Fudge have served in Haiti since October of 2013

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8

Just like

Abigail

Celebrating the Launch of the Mazatlan Hope Program

Move-in day came quickly. The six girls packed up their personal belongings: a treasured photo, a One Direction poster and a well-loved stuffed animal. With suitcases stacked by the door, they chatted excitedly, waiting for Gennie and Jorge Castro, the Abigail House Hope Program parents, to arrive. The girls had been dreaming about this day for months, wondering, hoping, unsure of what to expect, but eager for what was to come.

A car door slammed. The Castros had arrived. After hugs goodbye to caregivers and friends, the girls piled into the Castro’s maroon Chevy Malibu and made their way through the winding streets of Mazatlan to their new home.

139

MOVING DAY

May 17 marked the dedication of the Abigail House - the newest addition to Back2Back’s Hope Program and the first Hope home in Back2Back Mazatlán. Six girls from Floreser, Salvation Army and Rancho de los Niños children’s homes now call the Abigail House home, enjoying family-style living as they pursue a high school and college education. All of the girls, who range in age from 14-18 years, will be the first in their families to graduate from high school and college.

Ninety guests, including Back2Back staff, volunteers, local pastors, a visiting mission team and Sylvia Treviño de Felton, the wife of the local mayor, packed the Abigail House courtyard for a special dedication service.

DEDICATION OF THE ABIGAIL HOUSE “This day means a lot – a new beginning and a second chance – a reminder of the truth that God’s grace is sufficient,” shared Gennie.

In the midst of unpacking and finalizing paperwork, sweet bonds were being formed.

Over the next several weeks, the girls connected with each other and to Gennie and Jorge over family-style dinners, late night ice cream sundaes and afternoon pool parties. One-by-one, they began to open up and share pieces of their heart.

The Castros listened intently as the words and stories tumbled out, patiently helping each girl sort through a unique mix of emotions. They cried and prayed together and the girls started to feel at home.

This Hope Program home was named for Abigail, the biblical woman (1 Samuel 25) who showed virtuous character and sound judgement in the midst of adversity. Like many of the girls Back2Back serves, Abigail was not constrained by her circumstances, but instead showed tremendous bravery, courage and faithfulness in the face of difficulty. The conclusion of Abigail’s story is brimming with hope. God honored her obedience in a spectacular way, reminding us a difficult past does not disqualify us from a hopeful future. Abigail’s legacy serves as an inspiration to embrace God’s transformative power and to become a reflection of hope to those around us.

The conclusion of Abigail’s story is brimming with hope. God honored her obedience in a spectacular way, reminding us a difficult past does not disqualify us from a hopeful future.

Jorge & Gennie Castro have served as house parents on the Back2Back staff team since January of 2015.

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Standing Tall How the power of restorative connection is helping a young man grow in confidence

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Composed.

Reserved.

Hurting.

Sandeep’s palms began to sweat as a friend approached him, cricket ball in hand. Sandeep wiped his brow and tightened the grip on his bat as he waited for the pitch. As his bat connected, adrenaline pumped through his veins and he felt exhilarated, playing this game was when he felt most alive.

Only recently had Sandeep decided to devote his time to developing his cricket skills, spending hours each day perfecting his hitting. Last year was difficult. His father passed away from a liver condition on Sandeep’s 14th birthday. When his father died, an intense pressure fell on Sandeep’s thin shoulders. In his culture, boys are expected to provide for the family. When a family has a son, they know their future is secure. Sandeep took this responsibility seriously, diving into his studies to prepare himself for a stable job. He was determined not to let his family, or his father, down.

Then, Sandeep met Jake, who visited the Samuel Suzuki India Hope Campus on a Back2Back mission trip this past spring.

Jake and Sandeep quickly connected.

They spent a lot of time together playing cricket, sharing stories and cracking jokes. Sandeep found a trustworthy friendship by confiding in Jake, and he allowed himself to show glimmers of vulnerability. At the end of the week,

Jake and his wife Shannon decided to continue the relationship by sponsoring Sandeep through Back2Back’s Child Sponsorship Program. Sandeep was ecstatic.

Soon after Jake’s visit, Back2Back introduced a concept called nurture groups, a safe space where children with difficult pasts learn to process their feelings under the care of trained and trusted staff. Sandeep and two other boys his age meet regularly.

Back2Back staff, Courtney and Michael, foster growth and progress by leading them through guided exercises, gently encouraging them to give voice to their emotions. Sandeep has found a way to express his emotions and process the pain of his father’s death. In a recent group, Sandeep surprised himself when he began to quietly cry, an uncommon expression of emotion in his culture. He felt a sense of relief, as months of builtup pressure began to dissipate.

Sandeep is becoming more at ease with himself and his emotions due in large part to the healing he has experienced from Jake’s investment in his life and Sandeep’s participation in the nurture group. Lately, Back2Back staff noticed a change in the way he carries himself and how he interacts with his friends.

Sandeep finishes his cricket game and sits in his usual spot on the porch of his home. He casually talks with roommates, siblings and staff, smiling and laughing as his friends share about their day. Sandeep is friendly, approachable and inquisitive, intentionally including everyone in the conversation. Confidence growing, he stands taller and makes eye contact, listening intently. As Sandeep pursues emotional freedom, he’s encouraging others to do the same.The same boy who once struggled to find words to express his own inner pain is now reaching

out to his friends, drawing them out, helping them find their voices. Sandeep continues to take his studies seriously, but he has also learned to give himself the freedom to explore his interests, discover new passions and even dream about a future as a professional cricket player.

Engaged.

Authentic.

Growing.

Michael & Courtney Schreiner have served in India since May of 2014.

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To see more progress at the Community Center, check out this video: vimeo.com/b2bministries/judymorand

Mexico’s most popular sport is soccer. The children, who are accustomed to playing soccer in the streets, are thrilled to have access to a regulation-size soccer field complete with artificial turf – the only one of its kind in the area. As the children play soccer, a hand-painted mural reminds them of the promise “Nothing is Impossible with God.” The property also includes a full basketball court and playground, valuable resources to an area with no community parks.

The Judy Morand Center of Hope is nearing completion thanks to the efforts of dedicated mission trip guests, staff and donors. Grout work, interior painting, carpentry and electrical and plumbing work were completed this summer. In September, we hosted a dedication ceremony on the property.

Together, we celebrated the work of countless mission trip guests, local volunteers and staff members who have joined together to create a space to support and strengthen the Tres Reyes community.

The palapa is complete! This beautiful gathering space is the largest palapa on any of Back2Back’s sites and provides a serene setting for guests, mission trip participants and staff to gather for nights of worship, prayer and community.

In June, staff hosted a class to introduce mothers to basic health and nutrition principles for families. Attendees were eager to understand the material, fully engaging with the instructors and asking questions throughout the session.

Upcoming classes include topics such as healthy cooking on a budget. Additionally, each child will receive a nutritional assessment this fall.

Childhood art education and creative expression contributes to visual learning, fine motor skills, inventiveness and cultural awareness. Each Tuesday afternoon, more than 50 children attend hands-on art classes at the community center. The classes are fostering a passion for the arts and also providing children with a creative outlet to express their feelings. This year, mission guests worked alongside the children as they had the opportunity to create their own masterpieces.

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finding forgiveness

A frazzled mom hurried across the lobby to catch her train. A little girl, who couldn’t have been older than 3 or 4, ran behind clutching a stuffed bunny, struggling to keep up.

A businessman darted across the room with a briefcase in one hand and a coffee cup in the other.

As Mario watched the travelers from his seat in the corner, his mind wandered back to the last time he had seen his mom nearly 15 years ago.

He winced as he remembered the morning she left him at Douglas Children’s Home in Monterrey, Mexico when he was just 3 years old and feelings of unforgiveness began.

Mario wrestled with anger, distrust and depression during his time at the children’s home. He coped by staying busy, playing with friends and spending time with mission groups from Back2Back. He did anything to deflect the pain and distract himself from thinking about his mom.

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His caregiver, Lorena, was a lifeline in the midst of his hurt – comforting him, praying over him, reading him Bible stories.

In 2010, Mario was invited into Back2Back’s Hope Program just down the street from his children’s home.Through new friendships, spiritual retreats, nurturing house parents and discipleship, Mario began to experience God in remarkable ways.

He continued in his journey of understanding the implications of holding on to unforgiveness toward his mom.

During a powerful time of worship at a student retreat, Mario cried out to God. “God, if you’re here, show yourself to me and do something with my life.” As Mario began to finally face his hardness toward his mom, he felt overcome with God’s presence, and the grip of bitterness began to release.

Mario’s life, like most, did not follow a straight path from there. He continued to grow in his

faith, but also experienced seasons of discouragement and doubt. Anger resurfaced as he grappled with losing a house parent who was recovering from cancer. Mario began to spiral downward until he realized his future in the Hope Program was in jeopardy unless he dealt with his past. For the next year, Mario participated in counseling, where he began to sift through years of buried pain – processing his emotions in a safe, nurturing environment.

In 2013, Mario experienced true joy while serving in Cancun on a mission trip with other Hope Program students. God planted a desire within him to serve children who were processing trauma similar to his own. Mario returned home more peaceful and centered. God continued transforming his heart in the weeks following that trip.

Not long after returning from Cancun, Mario sat in church listening to a message on forgiveness

– a theme that seemed to keep resurfacing in his life. As the pastor spoke, God stirred Mario’s heart. He felt as if God told him, You need to forgive your mom – your lack of forgiveness is you back.

Mario knew what he had to do. That night, in the quiet of his room, he summoned his courage. He picked up the phone. “I will never forget the day I called my mom,” Mario said. “When she answered, I cried and couldn’t believe I was actually speaking to her.” Mario remembers how nervous he felt when he asked if they could meet and how relieved he felt when she quickly agreed. After the call, Mario surrendered the situation to God in prayer. He was ready to start fresh.

Mario on a mission trip to Cancun

An announcement from overhead interrupted Mario’s thoughts. He shifted slightly to pull his phone from his back pocket, glancing at the screen to check the time again.

4:32 p.m.

Mario scanned the lobby for his mother, who was now late for their meeting. Maybe I wrote down the wrong time, he thought. Just as he was starting to lose hope, he spotted her in the crowd. Mario ran and wrapped his arms around her. They both began to softly cry. Tears streaming down his cheeks, he whispered,

“I forgive you. I forgive you for everything that happened between you and dad.

Everything that happened is all in the past now.”

Mario with his mother (on the right) and aunt

That day, he felt a sense of closure from the heartache he had carried for so long. In the months that followed, Mario’s friends watched a quiet transformation as he was released from bitterness. Mario had finally found peace.

“I’ve learned to be faithful with the little resources I have.

Whatever God says, I want to do. Wherever He sends me, I want to go,” Mario shared. “My house parents taught me to be brave, confront my mistakes, depend more on God. I understand that even though it seems like I am alone, I am not. I can give all my worries to God because He cares for me.”

God isn’t finished with Mario. Recently, he graduated from Back2Back’s Hope Program and moved into his first apartment. He is transitioning from dependence to independence, continuing to visit his mom, growing in his relationship with God and serving others in his community. Last year, he served in Haiti where his story took on a new meaning, as God used him to bring hope and healing to boys from another country. He is searching for a job in communications and considering pursuing a postgraduate Biblical Studies degree. He knows that God will see him through with His steadfast love. He has proven that to Mario time and time again.

Mario with his Hope Program family

Antonio Garcia serves as the Site Director in Monterrey, Mexico

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beautiful things The world is full of breathtaking beauty. A quick scroll through an Instagram feed reveals image after image of posed perfection – carefully selected photos, cropped and filtered to present an enviable image. True beauty, however, well it can’t be captured within the confines of social media. It’s an inner quality – elusive, quiet and unfading.

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Deborah and Nehemiah are an ordinary couple serving orphans in Nigeria in inelegant ways. The quiet beauty of their sacrifice could be easily overlooked. Their story is one of selflessness, service, hard-won wisdom and hope.

Years before Nehemiah had met Deborah or learned of Back2Back, he felt compelled to devote his life to caring for many children, not only his biological children. When Nehemiah met Deborah, he was hesitant to pursue her, knowing he couldn’t offer her a safe and comfortable life.

Nevertheless, Nehemiah worked up the courage to share his dream of serving children with her before boldly asking for her hand in marriage.

Deborah was overcome with love, respect and admiration for Nehemiah’s willingness to wholeheartedly pursue the life he was meant to lead. She knew he was her perfect match.

She said yes, and Nehemiah’s vision became her vision.

And then they waited. Together, Nehemiah and Deborah had three biological daughters.

They delighted in their girls, but they continued to wonder when and how God would weave “many children” into their story.

Years passed until one night when Nehemiah had a vivid dream. In the dream, he and Deborah were asleep in their bedroom when they heard a knock at the door. Nehemiah got up and opened

the front door to find someone handing him a boy from the dark night. He let the boy in, and showed him where he could sleep in the house. Immediately, Nehemiah heard another knock and opened the door to find another teenage boy. He welcomed this boy in as well and shortly after, he heard another knock.The dream continued with several more boys arriving at his doorstep and each time, Nehemiah invited them in, offering them a safe, comfortable place to stay. When Nehemiah awoke the next morning, he couldn’t shake the dream from his mind. As he recounted the story to Deborah, he was reminded of his desire to care for many children.

That Sunday, Nehemiah and Deborah went to church where they saw Daniel, a longtime friend and director of Back2Back Nigeria.

Daniel walked directly to Nehemiah and told him Back2Back was starting a Hope Program in Nigeria with nine teenage boys. Daniel was ready to officially open the program, but was searching for the right couple to serve as house parents.

“I know you have three young girls, and it doesn’t make much sense, but God put you on my heart to ask—would you be willing to take in nine orphaned teenage boys? They need a family. You don’t have to answer me now, but

pray about it and let me know what you think.”

Nehemiah and Deborah had been praying for this moment for years. Immediately, they accepted the role. In a few short weeks, Deborah and Nehemiah moved with their girls and the nine boys into the Nigeria Hope Program home. The boys quickly formed a strong attachment to both Deborah and Nehemiah, thanks in part to Nehemiah and Deborah’s intentionality in creating a family environment where the boys experience a sense of security and belonging.

The most beautiful things begin when a person is willing to lay down his or her own life for someone else. Since moving in with Nehemiah and Deborah, four of the nine boys have said they want to follow Jesus.

Deborah’s beauty is unassuming. Her hands are weathered from love, scrubbing laundry, wiping tears and washing dishes. She tirelessly cares for the 12 children while her heart remains committed and her spirit is sweet.

Nehemiah is the boys’ example; he’s a man who has chosen a quiet life of obedience and service. With Nehemiah’s leadership, care and guidance, the boys are thriving. And that is beautiful.

Daniel Asama leads the Back2Back staff team 18 in Jos, Nigeria.

177, 1 55,754 Population of Nigeria NIgeria

16% of Africa’s population

16%

60%

Primary School Enrollment (ages 6-11)

43%

secondary School Enrollment (ages 12-17)

10%

Tertiary Education

nigeria 43.2% of Nigeria population is

children (Ages 0-14)

31% of Nigerian children under age 5 are

underweight

10%

Of Nigerian children are

Orphaned & Vulnerable

50% Muslim

40% Christian Middle Belt/South

10%

Indigenous

(ages 18+)

World Education News and Reviews | CIA.gov

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THE COLOR OF WORS

by Chris Cox, Director of One 21

I have lost count the number of times people have asked, “What does One21 have to do with global orphan care?” or “Why would a youth ministry initiative be a strategic part of Back2Back’s plan?”

From its beginning, One21’s goal has been to resource emerging generations to live like Jesus with hearts set on forever. Through Back2Back, One21 has worked to empower students to serve orphans and vulnerable children. In the summer of 2015, God illustrated a colorful design of what He is doing among emerging generations, and just how perfectly One21 and Back2Back could be intertwined.

A cloud of colorful dust was rising from the crowd that was forming a conga line just outside the palapa hut. The band energetically led the crowd in songs of celebration and worship 19

under the palapa. People were everywhere – dancing, throwing color powder, laughing and singing their hearts out.The community was a reflection of the Kingdom of God. A mini-retreat with mission trip participants, teenagers from children’s homes, Hope Program students and Back2Back staff was a reality. The story God has been writing was evidenced that week through the depth of community in Monterrey, Mexico under the palapa.

Flashback to 2011. A small group of nine One21 youth workers gathered under the palapa at the Back2Back Monterrey campus for a night of extended worship. It felt like a sacred moment. As we waited, prayed, sang and paced the floor of the palapa, an idea began to take hold. What if resources were created to invest in teenagers from the children’s homes in Monterrey? That night, with the inception of this idea, the trajectory and mission

Each student worshipped as they threw color into the air in celebration.

The colorful expression reflected the creativity of God.

relationships and impact students from two countries grew. By February 2012, the initial cross-cultural integration began as One21 led a spiritual retreat for teenagers we serve at children’s homes in Monterrey.

SHIP of One21 changed. I had been sold on investing in emerging generations in the US and sending people and resources to Back2Back while supporting holistic orphan care from a distance.

I couldn’t yet connect how One21 could BE that resource that would deepen spiritual and social development among students in two countries. The potential of this new vision was exciting, but just how it would be executed was still vague.

A few months later, Beth Guckenberger, Back2Back Co-Executive Director, shared the vision to integrate One21 programming into children’s homes in Mexico with the Monterrey site directors, Antonio and Priscilla Garcia. Little did she know, Antonio and Priscilla had concurrently felt the pull to take the Hope Program students on a spiritual retreat. The Garcias wanted to understand how One21 structured retreats. One21’s desire to cultivate

This brings us back to 2015, which marked the fourth One21 retreat in Monterrey. Until 2015, youth retreats in Monterrey and Ohio reflected each other in content and influence, with a focus on spiritual and social development, but they were held in respective countries. At each retreat, we shared stories of how God was speaking to students in other places around the world.

It had seemed far-fetched to think the students from the U.S. and Mexico could celebrate what God was doing among their generation together on the same soil.

But here we were, back at the palapa in Monterrey four years later.

However, this time, instead of an intimate gathering of nine, there were over 150 people: students from One21 churches, teens from local children’s homes, students from the Hope Program and a slew of Back2Back staff and interns.

“The night of worship with One21 kids from Monterrey and the U.S. showed me the Kingdom of God in a very real way. Most of the time we talk about the Kingdom with metaphors and other conceptual language. But in Monterrey, I saw it break out in ways I could touch,” shared Stew Sheckler, a student from BeaverCreek Christian Church in Ohio.

We couldn’t all fit in the palapa that night. Scattered throughout the adjacent field, we celebrated the name of Jesus with dancing, shouts of joy, singing and a lot of colored powder. Each student worshipped as they threw color into the air in celebration. The colorful expression reflected the creativity of God. Our God knit together an adventure that drew His children together. It is the desire of One21 to help emerging generations live like Jesus by inviting students into an experience of real community. That night, under the palapa and in the midst of clouds of color, kids witnessed firsthand the enormity and beauty of our God. 20 20

Mexico’s Foster Care Story V

Nuevo Leon

2012

The word “acogimiento”, which means Foster Care, did not exist in Mexico.

The journey has been long and exciting, and after years of diligence and work, Back2Back has helped create a healthy foster care system in Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

2012 2013

12 families approved Twelve families were approved to foster; however, due to government delays no children were placed in foster care.

15 children fostered

2014 Foster-to-adopt The first “foster-to-adopt” adoption occurred.

24 children fostered

The 12 approved families fostered 15 children.

Training new families Two high-impact trainings were conducted for new families. The training includes 16 hours of classwork, with ongoing evaluations to achieve licensure.

2015 6 local churches

24 children are being fostered.

Six local churches are engaged and committed to identifying foster families within their congregations, and then supporting those families with respite care.

After years of diligence, prayer and commitment, foster care is a legal option, and the program has shown great success in engaging local Christians in the care of orphans through foster care.

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The future is bright for acogimiento in Mexico!

AGAINST

ALL ODDS

As a newborn, Dominik was abandoned in a hospital in Monterrey, Mexico in March 2012. That day, he became a ward of the state. He was severely malnourished, and suffering from viral pneumonia. But this story is not a story of despair. It is a story of restoration and hope.

Initially, officials from local social services were able to recruit Dominik’s extended family to care for him. Then, Dominik was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), and the family felt ill-equipped to support his care. In December 2012, Dominik’s parents signed the consent to place him up for adoption. Due to his health complications, it was difficult to find a match, so Dominik waited in a state-run children’s home, his future hanging in the balance.

Finding alternatives to support children who are unable to live with their family of origin was one of the driving forces behind Back2Back creating the Familias Solidarias, a foster care program in Mexico.

The goal is to provide a safe and loving family environment for children like Dominik.

But God had big plans for Dominik. Not long after he was admitted to the children’s home, the Nava-Carbrera family learned about him. They felt the tug on their hearts to make room for a tiny baby boy with CF. The couple just happened to be a pair of physicians, both fully-educated, trained and capable of caring for a child with CF. They met Dominik and quickly began the process of becoming a foster care family. In November 2013, the relationship was forged and the parentchild bond grew. By the end of that year, Dominik left the institution to join their family.

Today, it is with great joy that Back2Back can share the story of Dominik’s remarkable growth and development. Against all odds, the boy who entered the world fighting for his life has managed to not only survive, but flourish under the care of his new family. Dominik is immensely loved.

Now, at 3-years-old Dominik responds well to physical and emotional contact; he is witty, playful and enjoys entertaining others. Caring for Dominik has united the family, strengthening their bonds, as together they continue investing in his physical and emotional well-being.

Back2Back’s dream is to see each child we serve fully restored and in a place of permanency. God’s promises to the orphan are being fulfilled by the faithful who choose to father the fatherless, defend the cause of vulnerable children and extend them mercy. A sweet 3-year-old boy in Mexico is living proof God is on the move and restoration is in His plan.

Tere Garcia has worked for Back2Back since 2012. She has played a critical role in the development of the Foster Care Program.

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Threading the Needle The room was completely silent as Heidi demonstrated how to thread a needle. It was the first day of sewing lessons.

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by Claire Rogers

January marked five years since a devastating earthquake rocked the tiny island of Haiti leaving nearly a million dead. A mere two years later, Hurricane Sandy tore through the land.While the rubble has finally cleared, daily life is still a struggle for those who call Haiti home. In the midst of the overwhelming need, Back2Back has been serving in Haiti since 2012, equipping and empowering children’s homes through a team of dedicated staff, skilled volunteers and child sponsors. Thus far in 2015, Back2Back has sent 14 teams of mission groups (167 people) to work alongside ten local staff for a week at a time. While aspects of Haitian life are still filled with chaos, there are glimmers of hope as God uses ordinary people to elevate the cause of the orphan. Mission trip participants like Heidi Duncan are using their unique talents to serve vulnerable children in unexpected ways.

were gathered around Heidi, listening carefully to each word, committing her instructions to memory.

The room was completely silent as Heidi demonstrated how to thread a needle. It was the first day of sewing lessons. A group of 16 children

Heidi patiently encouraged each child, gently coaching the group until all 16 children had managed to sew personalized sashes with badges.

Pull the thread through the eye of the needle. Double up the thread.

Knot together the loose ends of thread.

Pull the needle through the fabric.

Now it was their turn to practice. Kenia, only 14 years old, caught on quickly. While some of the children struggled to prepare the needle, Kenia’s movements were quick and confident. She pulled the thread through the eye, wound the tail ends around her finger to form a loop before slipping the loop off her finger and pulling the end through to form a knot.

The kids chatted and laughed, as one-by-one each child gained confidence and finished their project. The children talked amongst themselves, proudly displaying their finished products and admiring the handiwork of their friends. That afternoon, Heidi and a team of volunteers worked with a few of the children who were eager to dive deeper. Kenia’s face lit-up when Heidi offered they try a few more complex projects together. Before long, Kenia had gained valuable sewing skills learning to mend pants, make alterations, sew a button, fix a zipper and create a belt.

Beyond practical lessons, Heidi designed an elaborate group quilt project, an opportunity for the children to experience sewing as a creative outlet. Heidi envisioned a project that would foster self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment and teamwork in the children, as they mastered a new skill. Before they began, Heidi shared, “Each of you has something to offer, a talent to bring to the table”. She encouraged the children to embrace their unique gifts and remember their individual value as they worked together.

“Cooperation was the theme our group studied that week. The quilt project was a tangible expression of this concept, as the children learned to work together to accomplish a common goal,” Heidi explained.

Cooperation was the theme our group studied this week.

The children worked tirelessly to create a large quilt; each child decorated a square of fabric using stickon letters and shapes, colored fabric markers and paint and a variety of brushes and sponge stamps.

Some children painted flowers, hearts and selfportraits in brilliant blues, reds and purples. Others outlined their hands with fabric markers and signed their name in curly script.

Kelly, the director of the home drew a large red heart to represent family and inside he carefully penned the name of each of the children in his care under he and his wife’s names. He checked the list line-by-line to make sure no one had been forgotten.

“Everyone did something different,” Heidi shared. “Each square came out so unique, which is what we were hoping for.”

24

That afternoon, Heidi and Kenia painstakingly stitched 24 squares together before revealing the beautiful tapestry to the children. The children couldn’t contain their excitement and jumped up and down, hugging their friends and shrieking.

“The children were absolutely ecstatic to see the finished quilt. They had been having so much fun painting and drawing on the pieces of fabric that I’m not sure they quite understood what the purpose was until it was sewn together.

We hung the quilt on the wall and then the children began to appreciate what they had created,” Heidi shared.

We all have something to bring to the table.

For Heidi, a professional seamstress of 20 years with a degree in textile engineering, the project was deeply personal. As she encouraged the children to offer their gifts to God, Heidi experienced what she calls a “light bulb moment.”

“I recognized in myself a valuable gift I could pass on to others,” Heidi shared.

“We all have something to bring to the table. I’m honored to have had a chance to use my unique strengths to bless others. All we really need to do is make a difference for one and God will do the rest.”

How might your unique gifts be put to work to come alongside Back2Back to serve children around the globe?

n ow b o a r d i n g

MISSION TRIPS

So, you’re ready to go on a mission trip...But where should you go?

I love a long flight - just give me my headphones, eye mask and a neck pillow.

START

TRUE

I’m up for a BIG adventure, and I’ve always wanted to experience life in a developing country.

FALSE

TRUE I desire a grand opportunity to travel to a far land and immerse myself in a vastly different culture. Oh, and I’d love to take a ride in a rickshaw!

TRUE

Time to rethink how much time I want to spend on a plane!

FALSE

I’m a little nervous about taking a mission trip.

I’d like to go to a wellestablished site to ease into the experience.

TRUE

Africa is on my travel bucket list, and I am passionate about education.

TRUE

FALSE

A love for community development and a commitment to the arts - that’s me!

FALSE

TRUE

FALSE

FALSE

I have a deep desire to serve children with special needs.

TRUE

INDIA

NIGERIA

Through family-style care on Back2Back’s campus, this site invests deeply in the emotional development of orphaned children in Hyderabad, India.

With an emphasis on academic support through a Back2Back sponsored education center, this site promotes the overall care of at-risk children in Jos, Nigeria.

HAITI

Located in Port-auPrince, this site has created a safe space for orphans to grow and thrive after the catastrophic 2010 earthquake.

FALSE

MONTERREY

CANCUN

MAZATLAN

Mission guests share the campus with 40 Hope Program students. The largest site is nestled in the outskirts of a bustling city and promotes holistic orphan care and family reunification.

With a focus on community development and family preservation by providing support to at-risk families, this site benefits from a strong team of local volunteers.

Nestled in a laid-back beach community, home to a large population of ex-pats, this site offers support to children’s homes that serve orphans with special needs and high-risk backgrounds.

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We invite you to join us on mission this year. Now is the time! For further information, visit back2back.org/missiontrips

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heathcaddell Crist and Eileen Hamilton reunited with America and Manuel. #B2BMAZ #ChildSponsor

Join the conversation!

ritahaworth His name is Manoj and he is one of the many joys in my life. #B2BIndia #BeTheDifference

magooona Cuteness knows no limits. #B2BNigeria #B2Bgram

taylormdoann Physically I’m in Ohio, but my heart and mind have been in Haiti since the minute I left. Can I go back now? #B2BHaiti

allysonwilliams #BeTheDifference

#B2BMAZ

b2bministries You can be a part of making Gessica smile! #B2BHaiti #ChildSponsor #BeTheDifference

sammymarie33 Fresh fruit for 600 people... Complete with tiny forks. #B2BMTY #B2Bgram

jacksonhavener23 I loved every second of working with the kids. I worked with a little boy named José and a little girl above named Fernanda. #B2BMTY

flabbyb Love love love witnessing over the years as this little one grows into such a beautiful daughter of the King. #B2BIndia

kelseyrchapin The time I spend in Mexico is probably the most reviving and rewarding week of my entire year. #B2BCancun #BeTheDifference

jgduncan94 Her laugh is a sound I’ll never forget. #B2BCancun jessicaduncan Her laugh is a jessicaduncan Her laugh is a #BeTheDifference sound I’ll never forget. #b2bcancun sound I’ll never forget. #b2bcancun #BeTheDifference

#BeTheDifference

#BeTheDifference #B2Bgram #ChildSponsor #B2BMTY #B2BCancun #B2BMAZ #B2BIndia #B2BNigeria

by Matt Cooper, Back2Back Mexico Director

RETALIATION TO RECONCILIATION I’ve realized how much everyone has tried to help me.

I’ve been the one receiving love from so many people.

Now, I want to be one who gives love.

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Born on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico, Eduardo’s life had been unstable. By age 10, his mother asked him to leave his biological family. He then spent three months on the street before finding refuge at a local children’s home.

retaliated against some boys who were bullying him. The scuffle was broken up and addressed quickly, with Eddie quietly escorting the victim over to a couch. Eddie felt an unenviable kinship with the young boy.

The next few years were spent in conflict with everyone in the children’s home. This conflict continued as Eduardo became a teenager and transitioned to the Hope Program with Back2Back Ministries. To Eduardo, it felt like he was the constant victim of his circumstances. When a caregiver instructed him or the other boys picked on him, he responded with aggressive retaliation. Who will protect me if I don’t protect myself? he wondered.

Looking him in the eye, he said, “I saw them bully you. It wasn’t right. But I need to tell you something. If you try to fight them, it will be you who gets in trouble. Believe me, I have done it. It is better when we forgive. To fight brings us pain. To forgive brings us help. Promise me you will come talk to me if they bully you again, before you retaliate.”

Eddie was invited to spend a school year in the U.S. There was hope that a new atmosphere and environment would allow Eddie to find peace and learn to trust those who loved him and were invested in him. The year challenged and grew Eddie. Others spoke life into him and lessons he’d been hearing since he entered the children’s home fell on fertile soil. He recognized and adopted the idea reconciliation is better than retaliation.

This summer, thanks to the generosity of many, Eddie had the opportunity to serve as an intern for One21 camps.

He assisted in implementing the programming for middle and high school students. One day, a young camper

The boy promised, and Eddie shook his hand as an agreement and a sign of solidarity. Later, Eddie confided in a trusted mentor, “I’ve been that kid. And every time I let the anger win, I got myself in more trouble. I’ve realized how much everyone over the years has tried to help me.

I’ve been the one receiving love from so many people.

Now, I want to be one who gives love.”

Eddie is still learning and growing: he is a teenaged boy with a history of trauma and that puts him in a vulnerable place. But today, Eddie holds this truth in his heart: Retaliation leaves him alone and hurting. Reconciliation heals, builds and restores.

‘‘

One morning, my friend was leading a training session about caring for orphans and vulnerable children. “You can lay down your weapons,” she urged us to tell the children. She explained that children from difficult pasts use manipulation, control, and aggression as weapons to protect themselves. When we care for children in a way that encourages healing, we are giving them new tools to deal with the world around them.

’’

In that moment, I understood that these challenging behaviors are actually the children’s weapons.They are scared.They are only trying to save themselves. I wanted to look each child in the eye and whisper, “Lay them down. I will help you. Jesus will protect you.”

As we continue to train other caregivers, my hope is they will be agents of change in the children’s lives. Then, one day they can cry out to the children,

“The war is over! You can lay down your weapons!”

by Anna Valdez, Back2Back Monterrey Staff

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P.O. Box 70 Mason, OH 45040

Connect with Cancun Community Development.

Education.

Hope.

It’s all happening in Cancun.

Check out page 13 to see the progress that has been made in one community we serve.