2008 Barry A. Stevens

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Blessed by volunteers! Reece Robbins paused in his ‘round-the-world journey long enough to join us at The Bridge! And Tamara Prevost, who hails from Vancouver, Canada, adds some spice to our operations

chopping garlic on veggie day!

We are so grateful!

RECENT NEWS

An update on Irene and her family. Four little boys catch fire as they catch on to school. News on the housing development at The Bridge! Happy birthday to Steven!

MORE ON IRENE

PANI (Child Protective Services) met at The Bridge on Thursday. They met under the shelter in the back yard, and interviewed each member of Irene’s family individually. The adult men were separated until it was their turn, but stood outside with arms folded across their chests, feet spread apart, anger on their faces. Although the PANI driver tried to block the view by moving the truck, it was too late – the damage was done, and Irene clammed up. Without any direct testimony from her, there wasn't anything they could do. She's back with the family.

However, there are also a few other orders:

· the father must join and attend an AA group;

· the mother must join and attend a group for abused women;

· the 5 school-age kids must go back to school;

· they are allowed to come to The Bridge for food and homework assistance.

I was sitting in the living room with Irene when the PANI guy came to the window and said to her "come on - you are going back with your family". She started to cry - and indigenous kids just don't cry. Then she turned to steel - looking at me with an expression that can only mean "I've been betrayed." She got up and walked out without a word.

The family seemed intimidated and chanted a rehearsed speech. "There are no problems at home. We never got any support of any kind from Nanci and Barry. For the past 5 years, Abel (the father) has earned all the money, bought home all the food, never been drunk, never hit anyone,..."

It's bull, of course. There are too many sources of qualified input. And, Nanci's an expert on abuse, having assisted abuse groups in San Diego and made over 200 public appearances on the subject. Irene's body language was unmistakable.

I dug out information from our logs and accounting info, however. They're the largest family we deal with - 7 kids and three adults (originally 4 adults, but the old grandpa died). Adding up their participation in Bridge programs since January, 2004, including the School Program, Community Kitchen, bags of food, bowls of soup - total cost for 5 years - just over $20,000. This information I made available.

The woman from PANI suggested that, since Abel has been “providing all the food”, that we should let the father prove it and stop giving them the food bolsas. Nanci suggested that this would “likely flush him out but at what great expense for those beautiful children.” We followed instructions, and felt awful. But then, we had to snap out of it, since we have other families to serve. Good friends from San José opened their homes for us and their hearts, giving us the opportunity to relax for a few days. Thank you good people!

We'll make sure PANI has the correct information. Irene has begun talking to us again - sort of. The girls are going to school again - sort of. We haven't seen the boys going to school. I saw Abel walking into town recently - with body language and facial expression that I’ve seen for many years - he was drunk on his way into town – in the morning. I said “Hello Abel” as I cycled past. He hung his head. Same old Abel.

Update – days later. Mayra and the kids are returning to the Community Kitchen. Saturday, she had a hard time asking Nanci if she could resume getting a bag of food. Nanci said “yes” of course. As the PANI woman suggested, we are now having her sign for the food received.

It’s been a tough time for everyone.

FOUR LITTLE BOYS ON FIRE

Dani, Erasmo, Erik, and Ronualdo are really getting a handle on school. They show up early here for help with homework, they (almost) always go to school. They’re getting interested, and are really moving along. As this is being written, class was cancelled for the day and Dani and Erik are sitting with Nanci at a table on the porch as she talks them through pages in a set of donated Spanish-language encyclopedias. We are so grateful for these books!

Dani Erasmo Erik Ronualdo

You go, boys!

Visit them on our website by clicking www.elpuente-thebridge.org/page23.html

REECE’S PIECES

So what good are chickens? For one thing, they eat scorpions, tarantulas, and fer-de-lance snakes. For another, they grow up, lay eggs, and make more chickens. And as they grow, they get taken home by people up on the hill who want to have their own chickens, lay eggs, and make still more chickens.

We have three laying mommies, with broods of different ages. McNugget’s chicken coop had gotten crowded; much squawking over space.

In stepped Reece Robbins, a volunteer visiting here for an indefinite time. He was well into a round-the-world bicycle trip, when he was told by a doctor he had to give it up. Now, he continues his journey on foot, bus, whatever works, and we’re so grateful to have him with us for a while.

We asked him if he’d like to build a chicken coop. “Piece of cake”, he replied. After inventorying the materials on hand, he laid out what’s needed. After a trip to the hardware store, he began a work of art.

Several days later, we were introduced to one of “Reece’s Pieces”.....

Casa Reece!

After some curtains to shade the bright afternoon sun, Mrs. Red and her brood-to-be enjoy living the life of luxury in their spacious new home. Stylin’ !

Thank you, Reece!

A BIRTHDAY AT THE BRIDGE

Remember baby Steven? He just had his first birthday at The Bridge.

Joseph, Jackie, and Baby Steven

Joseph is working in Puerto doing maintenance and painting at a local church. Jackie is taking care of a house, as well as spending the day with Steven, who is a really bright, happy child. They also call him “Sergio”, after the minister in the rehab shelter who died while they were in attendance.

Jackie has started making artificial flowers, at the lower left of the picture. I think she plans to start selling them around town. The couple is looking forward to re-starting the coconut oil business – in which Jackie’s family at one time flourished, before they lost it to drugs.

Happy Birthday, Steven!

A LOCAL LOOK

The Home Of The Bridge

This is just a glimpse of where we live. You’ll get an idea why we’re so enchanted with this place. It’s an “anti-marina” piece, stirring people to action against a project which, hopefully, will not happen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL8-neucjnk

Enjoy!

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Look forward to getting two “Special Editions” really soon!

YOU CAN HELP US!

There are several ways you can help.

· Send this email to people you know who might also enjoy it.

· Post a message about us on social networking sites or discussion boards dealing with adventure, travel, volunteering, education, microlending, human services, eliminating poverty, or other humanitarian activities.

VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

We say “Thank You!” again to our regular donors, who faithfully provide a monthly donation to help keep us going! And “Thank You” as well to those who continue to support us through occasional donations – they are appreciated.

NOW’s a GREAT time to contribute.

Make a Monthly Pledge by clicking here.

Make an immediate donation online by clicking here,

where you can use a credit card or an E-Check.

Or, mail a check made out to “El Puente” with “Member 29409704”

in the Memo Field to

USE Credit Union, 8697 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91941

Deductions are tax-deductible

(And please drop us an email letting us know you’ve done it

so we can say a proper “Thank You!”)

Do it NOW! You’ll be glad you did!

* * * * * * * *

Thank you for your support!

Well,

…djmiache

Enjoy!

IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE SEEING THE PICTURES

...go to www.elpuente-thebridge.org/weekly and download the file with the date of this issue.

Go to The Bridge Website by CLICKING HERE

Go to The Bridge Online Store by CLICKING HERE

Download a Powerpoint presentation by CLICKING HERE

Download brochures in Spanish or English by CLICKING HERE

Go to the newsletter archive by CLICKING HERE

See some Video clips showing activities at The Bridge by CLICKING HERE

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email:

Our toll-free number from the US is

1-866-462-7585

SKYPE: barry.stevens2