Dorm DadThe vast majority of our children lack father figures. It is one of the greatest privileges of my life to help fill this gap for these precious children, primarily for the 40-50 boys we have. There are three boy dormitories separated by ages, and my specific calling is currently to the middle dormitory of 8-12 year olds.
What I’m doing and working on…
- Staying in regular contact with father figures in my own life.
- Spending time daily with the kids to show them God’s love, to be a consistent positive male influence in their lives, to help resolve conflicts, provide fun activities, help with their homework, educate and mentor them in life, help them discover their God-given abilities.
- Teaching them to live as brothers and spending one-on-one time with them to show them the love of a father. Emphasizing more of the family atmosphere they lack.
- Focusing heavily on the basics surrounding good hygiene and common manners. Obtaining/creating educational materials to provide a foundation for these principals.
- Being available during bedtime, the time of day they are most vulnerable. Reading them bedtime stories, tucking each one into bed, praying for each one individually.
- Revamping the behavior system in order to target current issues, teach that good decisions result in good things and bad decisions in bad things, reward and discipline more consistently and effectively.
- Teaching them English in order to open more doors in their future, communicate with their many English speaking visitors, and live successfully in a border town with the US.
- Maintaining relationships with the teenage group of boys by remaining a big brother and friend and working closely with their Dorm Dad. Ministering to the smallest group of boys by spending time with them, assisting in bedtime, and working closely with their Dorm Mom.
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Spiritual MentorEmmanuel Ministries is such a blessing to these kids because it is Christian based and they learn of God’s love and what Jesus did for them in church, school, and the home. As I continue to stay close to the Lord myself, I love the opportunities to pass down to these kids the immense treasures God has given me.
What I’m doing and working on…
- Seeking God daily as #1 in my life and receiving everything He has for me.
- Providing less formal and spontaneous Bible studies and prayer meetings during the week.
- Providing opportunities to discover and practice spiritual gifts.
- Providing opportunities for the kids to teach and bless one another.
- Reading Bible stories each night, facilitating discussion of God’s word, and praying over each boy individually.
- Brain storming with the staff regarding an annual retreat to minister to the teenagers.
- Increasing personal ministry during church services, individual prayer for the issues that people bring in with them.
- Creating shifts to watch the smallest kids and improving their behavior during the services in order that each staff member can be ministered to as well.
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Alex in Sept. 2008 and then in July 2009
It wasn’t long after falling in love with the children here that I learned of the trauma incurred from their broken families. They are every bit of the inspiration behind my pursuit of a degree in Psychology. My desire is to couple what I learn in Psychology with the Holy Spirit in order to minister to the deepest needs of these children.
What I’m doing and working on…
- Obtaining a degree in Psychology at the University of Texas in El Paso.
- Revamping the behavior system in order to target current issues, teach that good decisions result in good things and bad decisions in bad things, reward and discipline more consistently and effectively.
- Focusing more on rewarding good behavior as oppossed to punishing bad behavior.
- Training the caretakers and providing regular meetings exclusively to support them and maintain their care of the children.
- Providing healthier alternatives to what’s available on TV and radio.
- Focusing on resolving relational conflicts as oppossed to separating children. Creating more of the family atmosphere that the children lack.
- Creating rest and relaxation places both inside and outside.
- Providing opportunities for the children to volunteer in the community and give back to those who give to them.
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Taekwondo ProgramA new project I am actively working on is creating a Taekwondo program to instill numerous needed principals in our children. As they learn to maintain physical fitness and master their bodies, the martial art of Taekwondo offers many additional benefits as well: self-confidence, self-control, self-discipline, respect for self and others, concentration, responsibility, awareness, sense of accomplishment, and a spirit of teamwork.
What I’m doing and working on…
- Training for my final test to become a Black Belt in Taekwondo.
- Receiving ideas and support from the Taekwondo instructors at my school in Dallas.
- Forming support from local Taekwondo schools and instructors.
- Gathering resources for the uniforms, belts, awards, and equipment needed.
- Integrating the new behavior system with the Taekwondo classes. The right to have an official uniform, increasingly higher ranking belts, and awards will be used to encourage the children to improve behavior and maintain good behavior, both in and outside of class.
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Leadership ProgramA dream of mine is to establish a Leadership Program for these children. In their families, in the city of Juarez, in the country of Mexico, and in the Hispanic population in general, there is a huge lack of good role models. Upon seeing how truly bright many of these kids are, my passion has been to open their minds to their full potential, help them discover their God-given talents, and become strong leaders in the path God has for them.
What I’m dreaming of so far…
- Regular meetings that consist of fun and challenging activities to obtain leadership skills.
- An established list of feats that when conquered the children receive something to mark their level of leadership (similar to patches in Boy/Girl scouts).
- Guest speakers, role models, examples of success from many varying career fields.
- Field trips to experience and try out different careers.
- A common shirt/coat etc. to encourage unity and a respect for their desire to become positive leaders.
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Knowing how to work a computer can dramatically change these children’s career options and open many doors in their lives. For this reason I feel very honored to teach the children computer skills, provide new and fun after school programs using our computer lab, and equip the ministry with the latest tools.
What I’m doing and working on…
- Teaching Computing at the ministry’s school Isaac Newton Academy.
- Working with teachers to integrate and reinforce what they learn in their other classes inside the computer lab.
- Supervising a regular computer lab hour, teaching research skills, helping with homework.
- Establishing an ePal program that enables the children to keep in touch with their supporters, make friends around the world, join in projects from other schools, experience life outside Juarez, and continue to sharpen their computing and Internet skills.
- Creating an online area where the teachers and staff can stay organized and informed.
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General Staff MemberThere’s a lot to be done in a ministry that cares for 100 children and runs a school, a church, a hospital, a dental office, a dance academy, a missionary program, and an intern program. The staff and family here are the most amazing people, and it is my joy to be a part of this team in whatever capacity I can.
What I’m doing and working on…
- Attending weekly staff meetings and supporting the staff in prayer.
- Assisting with our yearly visitors, transportation to/from the ministry, translating, learning Spanish!
- Creating an online area exclusively for the staff to encourage unity and communication.
- Producing multimedia items for the ministry.
- Always being available for the unknown : )
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