The end of summer...

The end of the reading program...

which for me, meant the end of my summer responsibilities...

and the start of getting ready for the new school year! (but enough on that for now...)

I just want to take a moment and brag on our CVE kiddos...

They did an amazing job this summer, diligent in their reading and cheerful in their giving! (If you haven't read up on our reading program this summer, you can read here.)

Altogether we had 31 kids participate and they read a total of 36, 703 minutes in 4 weeks raising money to donate to kids served by various Lifesong projects around the world! Their minutes translated into pesos which were later converted to dollars. After these conversions, their total donation for reading reached $3,099!!

The first kid to reach the final goal (1,150 minutes) was José Ángel. 

Reading hasn't always (and still doesn't really) come easy for this kid so it really shows his desire!

(Lisa A. listening to José read)

My top reader was Alexia who never missed a day (or very many minutes!)

 Alexia read a total of 1436 minutes!

This year 24 of the 31 kids participating reached the final goal! This is by far more than in any other year!

 

Some more pictures from the program:

Tadeo joined us to read one day and he LOVED it!!

Yaneli was one of my reading helpers this summer.

Ramsés and Aarón N. (Bere's brother who was here for the summer)

José Manuel and Alyssa M.

(I kind of forget what was being said during this exchange, but I caught the facial expressions on camera! :) )

Nereida and Belinda

Sarah and Gloria

Ángel

Jaqui was another one of my reading helpers. Here she is working with Diego (who just came from swimming lessons). 

Beni... maybe he can participate next year! :)

Keyla, "reading" to herself  :)

Alyssa and Perla

Just a special shout out to Geo (I don't have a picture of her with the kids), who worked with several of my non-readers the last few weeks teaching them to read! Fernanda can now read many two syllable words! Thank you, Geo!

For meeting their individual reading goal, one prize option was to go to Café Sed for a drink and dessert or meat product. Last week I took a group of them with me to the Café. These kids had also reached the final reading program goal which means that they got to pick out a new book as well!

 José Á.

 Ramsés

Lupita and Julissa looking for books

 This was so sweet. Ramsés was looking for a book and told me, we were here looking at books the other day and Bere mentioned that she really would like this book of salad recipes but she didn't have the money to buy it... He ended up picking this book for his prize so that he could give it to her! What a sweetheart! :)

 José, Lupita, and Isaac

Overall, our summer here at CVE was a bit crazy (okay, maybe that is an understatement!), but praise God for His continued faithfulness and for helping us take one day at a time!

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.  Psalm 91:2

Reading Around the World

 (Aron and Ángel)

Every summer the kids participate in a reading program in the afternoons. My role here at CVE has changed a number of times over the years (within the realm of education), but being in charge of this program is one responsibility that has stayed the same. Over the years there have been various themes with different prizes and incentives for them to meet their reading goals. I usually start planning it, or at least the theme, about 6 mos. in advance (I am definitely a "planner" when I can be, but have had to learn to let go of that a bit as to be too much of a planner usually just leads to frustration if you aren't also flexible with those plans!). This year as I was thinking about the program and was praying for ideas, something creative, my thoughts took a different direction than normal... 

I think one thing that is good for all of us is to be reminded of the world outside of our own little sphere of daily living. To see purpose in our lives that goes beyond completing our daily tasks. To see the bigger picture of how our lives can impact the lives of others, even someone all the way around the globe. To be reminded of the joy and blessing that comes from giving instead of receiving.

The kids here at CVE have been blessed beyond most. I understand that that might not be your first thought... and I agree.. Yes, they have suffered too much in their short lives. Yes, they have wounds that need healing. Yes, they have bondage that needs broken. Yes, they have needs to be met. But here at CVE our children have blessings that no other child in a children's home in Mexico has (or in many other countries for that matter). They have their basic needs met (and beyond). They are surrounded by individuals and families who love them and are committed to giving them a hope and a future. They have the blessing of an education. And most importantly, they have the opportunity to learn the Truth of God's Word, to hear the message of salvation, and the opportunity to see what a life lived for Christ looks like in the adults they interact with. I could go on, but I think it is safe to say that in so many ways, our kids are most blessed!

So, what does that have to do with reading and a reading program? 

Well, in the light that there are many kids around the world who can't read and don't have the things listed above (many without even their most basic needs being met, much less things beyond that), and because we are always looking for ways to encourage our kids to have a thankful heart and appreciation for what they have, this summer our kids have the opportunity to use their ability to read to reach out to those who can't. To in a small way share with those who don't have 3 good meals a day, who don't know about Christ, who live on the streets or don't have anyone to care for them. To help orphans not so unlike themselves. 

This summer, for each minute that the kids read (due to some very generous donors) they are raising money to give to projects within Lifesong for Orphans. For every 200 pesos that they "earn", they get to pick a country/project to donate it to. I have a jar for each country and play money to symbolize their donation.

We are now about two weeks into the program and while the planning has been fun and exciting for me, it is even better to see the kids get into it. To see them excited about helping other kids who are in need. Excited to be a part of something bigger then themselves.

Leyendo por los Niños Alrededor del Mundo (Reading for the Children Around the World)

 

Our map of the world (where "Reading Around the World" came from) with their markers lined up at the starting line. As they read I move their markers so they can see their progress. There are also pictures and information about the 7 different Lifesong projects that the kids can choose to donate to.

New books that make reading a little more fun!

 The library organized (an idea that I call "job security") and ready for readers!

 Ramsés checking out this new book (which is really a devotional for girls...). He didn't last long before he chose another. :)

Eduardo, Gloria, and Nereida

Osmara and Keyla reading with Heidi

Belinda

Belém and Jazany

Julissa
The kids LOVE Curious George books. Thankfully we got a few new ones! :)

The kids have been diligent in reading and after almost two weeks have read more than 16,000 minutes and raised almost $1,500!


If you would like to see more pictures of the reading program or other CVE activities, click on the link to the right that says Carissa's photos.


Please pray that this reading program can be a blessing, not only to those who are served through Lifesong, but also in the lives of our children. Please pray that God's kingdom would be furthered as we all seek to share what we have been given with others so desperately in need!

  

Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17