Checking In

Wanted to let you in on a few of the things that have been happening in our lives the last couple of weeks and what's going on with some of the boys from Back2Back Monterrey.  JJ is continuing to heal up reasonably well.  His right leg is getting stronger and he's getting around much better.  His left leg (skin graft) is slowly healing up also.  The jaw doesn't hurt and the suture lines are all well on there way to full healing.  He'll go in for CT scans in August to see if the new bone has healed in place.  Please please keep praying for that new jaw bone to heal correctly.  If it heals, JJ is close to the end of this process.  If it doesn't, the doc isn't even giving us options at this point.  JJ is back at work in the B2B US office and enjoying being productive and out of the recliner.

Although things with JJ's jaw and legs are moving along well, the fun never ends (or so it seems).  JJ contracted some type of infection that started with either a zit or a bug bite on his temple.  In a short couple of days JJ's face blew up like a pool inflatable (think Will Smith's allergic reaction in the movie Hitch).  We went to the UC Hospital ER and they put JJ on IV antibiotics and Benadryl.  They sent him home with a 10 day supply of antibiotics.  His face is slowly returning to its formerly beat up surgery recovery state. 

Mandy has started participating in the Solomon Center (a Northstar Church outreach to those in need in our Loveland community) Her first evening was an absolute blessing.  She spent an entire glorious evening chatting in Spanish with and helping Latino families that come for help.  Her presence brought encouragement to not only herself but to the other church volunteers and the Spanish speaking families that showed up.  I think she (and her semi useful husband) may continue to go to support the sweet work Northstar is doing with those in our community who need the help.  Mandy has also spent lots of time with her buddies who have loved on and cared for her in this difficult time of transition.

Sofia and Nico have both finished school (1st grade and pre-school respectively).  They have met some new friends and are looking forward to hanging out at our community pool this summer.  It's funny (and sobering) sometimes with your kids when you see your own personalities (wounding) begin to come out in them.  Within a 2 minute time frame the other day we saw how much daughter was like mommy and son like his father.  JJ was talking to Nico and Sofia about what a great job they had done cleaning their rooms and the importance of trying to maintain that cleanliness in an ongoing fashion.  As he finished and got up from the table Sofia said, "Yeah, I'm not going to be able to do that."  Mandy almost fell out of her chair.  Nico went upstairs to change T-shirts and was looking for one of his Back2Back Staff Kid T-shirts.  JJ asked him why he needed one of his B2B Staff Kid T-shirts and he responded, "so that everyone will know me."  Where does that need to be the center of attention come from? ummmm?  We are trusting that God is imparting some of our more honorable traits as well.

Four of the original boys are going to be graduating high school this summer.  We weren't sure they would make it but we've been hoping and praying that they would experience God's purpose in their lives.  This is a great accomplishment that wouldn't have happened if it weren't for God's love and the B2B Hope Program.  Please join us in thanking the Lord for his involvement and commitment to these boys.  Please also continue to pray for these boys as they now enter a new scary and overwhelming transition into college life and more expectations.  These times often bring about a renewed sense of fear, frustration and woundedness that can be difficult to navigate.  Pray that God would allow them to experience His love and healing and that He would continue to call them to the lives he has for them.

3 of the new boys have finished their first year of high school with mixed reviews.  Adjusting to high school expectations is a tall order for the students in our Hope Program.  Some of the boys may need to change high schools.  Pray that God would guide the many decisions involved in this process.  Unfortunately, one of our new boys is no longer in the program.  Pray for God's hand to be on his life.  We are confident that God's love and guidance don't end when students leave our program.

Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and support.  This time back in Cincinnati has been challenging but we are seeing God heal us, grow us and prepare us for the next chapter of the story He is writing for us.