“You can drop me off here!” Stanley* looked at Lauren Neal, Lighthouse Children’s Home staff, with a huge smile. Lauren watched him walk to the house just ahead, ensuring his safe arrival. Stanley’s confidence and excitement at arriving to his new foster home allows Lauren and the Back2Back staff to feel assurance this is the… Read more
I wandered downstairs this morning in India. Many of the children are in their home villages for a holiday from school. The campus is quiet – devoid of bell-like singing and guttural laughter. Two boys will remain on the campus during this break. They do not have families to return to, so they stay with… Read more
Their tears could be heard throughout the home. Three siblings sat tightly together, cocooning their mother with their little bodies. The family visit lasted an hour, all the children in Possibilities Children’s Home receive a visit with their biological parents and family members each week. This sibling set of three recently moved into the home… Read more
“In ten minutes, you need to take a water break, Edwin*!” Ethan Drent, Back2Back Mazatlán staff calls outside to the young boy mowing the lawn under a caregiver’s supervision. Edwin shakes his head yes and continues to mow. “Edwin, take some drinks of water in five minutes!” Ethan reminds him again. After the time has… Read more
5 Lessons I am Passing from the Foreign Mission Field to the Hometown Football Field I am going to spend many evenings this fall sitting in bleachers, cheering on various sized football and soccer players. All four of my sons are playing, so that’s at least four games a week. It’s a new mission field… Read more
“Bon anniversaire!” Everyone sang out as the two boys at the front table smiled, trying to patiently wait to eat their piece of cake. Samuel* and Evens* are celebrating their birthdays today. Birthday celebrations are a special way Back2Back recognizes each boy and girl. Birthday cake is cut into slices and passed around as each… Read more
Luis* ran up to Sammy as she entered the room. “Sammy, Sammy! I have something for you.” Sammy watched Luis pull his other hand from behind his back. “You left this yesterday.” The five-year old held a magnetic train car in his hand, lifting it up to Sammy. “Thank you so much, Luis!” “It may… Read more
The row of children and visiting adults crunched their toes in the sand. Their surf instructor welcomed them and asked them to draw a line straight back. Next, each student drew the “nose” on top of the line, and stood atop their sand surfboards. There is a surf party happening in Mazatlán. The girls living… Read more
Eli* looked upset as he walked up to Back2Back staff member, Eloise. He came to where she stood and looked up at her with big, brown eyes. “Elo, I am sad.” Eloise bent down to be eye level with him. “What is the matter, Eli?” “I am sad because I cannot eat. My tooth hurts… Read more
A visiting guest, Kali, a physician’s assistant, sat across the table from 15-year old Lovely*. Kali knew Lovely was struggling with pain, but the young girl sat quietly before her. “Staff members informed me Lovely had been experiencing a lot of pain, but she was very brave when we first sat down together,” shared Kali…. Read more