A key component of Christian Community Development By: Sami DiPasquale Many of you know that I was born and, for the most part, raised in the Middle East. Periodically throughout my childhood my family visited extended family in America, and on a few occasions we lived for a year or two in the United States. By the time I turned 21 I had lived in Jordan, Cyprus, Egypt, India and the U.S. Moving back and forth between continents was sometimes difficult, usually an adventure, but always informative. One invaluable aspect of life that I was exposed to through these moves was a diversity of … [Read more...]
Story Corner: Meet Bruce
Bruce Meyer is Ciudad Nueva's volunteer Development Committee Chairman. He has a big heart for the growth of Ciudad Nueva and desires to "tell the Ciudad Nueva story to the greater El Paso community." I (Tessa) wanted to know how he became involved with Ciudad Nueva Community Outreach, so I asked him. Here's his story: Since the vision of Ciudad Nueva serves the neighborhood of the downtown church I attend, I can readily see and touch the work of the mission. My wife is a mentor at Launch Pad, and I continually see the smile on her face when I ask her how her day went at Launch Pad. This … [Read more...]
The Edge of the Board
By: Tessa Valadez She's poised and ready. Her toes curl around the edge of the board, her floating devices are Road Construction Orange, swollen with air as they tighten around her scrawny biceps. It reminds her of the blood pressure wraps the nurses in Winnie the Pooh scrubs attach to her arm when she goes to the doctor. Swirling chlorine water sloshes about as public water patrons cannonball and kick around the board. She glances up. A smiling nod greets her from her mother who is standing off to the side and waiting for her to jump. She looks down again. What if there are sharks in … [Read more...]
Story Corner: Introducing Gaby
I want to take some time to talk about Gaby. I (Tessa) had been spending some time with Gaby during our homework hour at Kids Create to help her with a writing assignment. She had to write a story and I was impressed. Gaby has a very unique way in sharing perspective through writing. I wanted to ask her to share a story with us in this month's newsletter and was blessed by what she shared. My main question was, "What story can you share that ties in with the theme of being thankful?" This is what she wrote: One day when I arrived at Kids Create I was sad, because the day before my mom … [Read more...]
What if Fear Never Existed? (Or: A Quick Thought to Chew on like an Overcooked Steak)
By: Tessa Valadez "What do you want to be when you grow up?" One of my middle schoolers asked me during our homework hour at Ciudad Nueva's after-school program. I smiled as she typed away at the computer, not even realizing that I was already a grown up. I mean, I graduated from college with two degrees. Then I laughed. Am I grown up? "Well, I --" I paused. She turned and looked at me, waiting for my reply. I felt twelve all over again, feeling myself burst. "If I had absolutely no fear in the world. None, whatsoever. I mean, no worries about competition," I rambled, "or impressing … [Read more...]
