STINT: a short-term, international staff position lasting from 3 months up to one year My adventure to becoming a STINT-er began in the summer of 2015 when the opportunity to intern for Back2Back Cancun, seemingly, fell into my lap. I had other plans of how to spend my summer, but through a beautiful orchestration of… Read more
A boat, affectionately called “La Cucaracha,” cuts through Caribbean blue waves on its way to a small island near Cancun. On board, a group of young girls from throughout Cancun rock back and forth. Some carefully peer over the side, keeping their balance on their knees. Others, like Ami, grip their lifejackets dedicated to looking… Read more
On a recent prayer walk with a mission team, a Back2Back case-worker asked a mother living in the Bonfil community how they could pray for her and her family specifically. In unexpected honesty, she shared concern of one of her sons becoming involved in drug use. Bonfil, an urban community in Cancun, is one gripped… Read more
The white-walled classroom holds desks with blue seats and small pieces of wood for note taking. To students who attend everyday, it is simply another room allowing them to further their education. To the children of Del Norte, the bright room with the projection screen whispered of future endeavors, of dreams realized, of a new… Read more
Ravi’s small arms wrap tightly around the two-liter, plastic bottle as he carefully walks across campus toward the flowers. He steps carefully, delicately almost, so as not to let a drop of water drip on the dusty ground. He walks toward Adam’s house first, and then he waters the circular planters with colorful flowers in… Read more
“Que onda!,” Juan greets his friends. Juan doesn’t welcome with a handshake, but a tight embrace. He is funny, a bit of a jokester, but most of all, he is a joy to be around. He loves his friends fiercely. This is far from the boy who arrived at Rancho de los Niños ten years… Read more
Alondra handed Raquel a note. She blushed and ran back into the living room. Raquel, the house mom at Possibilities Children’s Home, was pleasantly surprised as she carefully unfolded the yellow paper and smoothed out the creases. “I’m so thankful for you,” the note said, “you feel like my mom.” Raquel brushed tears from her… Read more
Rodo comes home from work. Before he can even change out of his work clothes, he lifts his son Malakai and tosses him playfully in the air. Malakai bursts into a giggling fit. Rodo and Malakai, hand in hand, run out the door into the hot Mazatlan sun to wrestle and play as boys and… Read more
Back2Back first met Perla and Ami six years ago at the San Jose Children’s Home. Perla was a timid, quiet little girl who sometimes seemed to want to be invisible. She was teased ruthlessly for struggling in school. Her confidence sunk lower when she was held back a grade. Ami, Perla’s younger sister, was a… Read more
Elias and Maritza started calling Del Norte Children’s Home their home on August 3rd. Along with their two children, they became caregivers for siblings Jessica, Natanael and Tadeo. When they moved in, they were full of questions. Will we be able to do this? How will this impact our family? Elias and Maritza had many concerns and fears,… Read more