Six Days - Forty Two Hours of Training = More Hope

We arrived in Mazatlan, Mexico one week ago tonight.  Eight days later, we are preparing to leave and words just cannot describe what the experience of working with the folks of Back2Back ministries has been like. Truly amazing young people dedicated to the care of the orphan in every way - spiritually, physically, educationally, socially and emotionally. We have learned much from them.  It is our hope, we have left something for them as well.

During our time here  we provided six days of training to children's home staff and Back2Back staff on trauma informed care for wounded, at-risk children. The title of this first in a series is Building Trauma Competent Healing Caregivers. Seventy some participants came from a number of locations around Mexico in the two three-day trainings. We also spent about 2 hours each evening with seven young people preparing to take the training material around the country.

Here are sights from the training 

David and Gabriel,  the Site Director in Mazatlan open the training.

                                 

Doing a first assignment - Teresa, Lizy, Ana and Ana - future trainers

                           

Kelly,  Johanna Buchman, LAMb co-founder and daughter-in-law, Adrianna 

           

Matt, Dana, Kirsten and Chad - B2B staff 

Looking through the lens of a wounded child

Processing a group activity. Kelly, with the mic is the wife of the site director.

Discussing an assignment

Johanna shares about LAMb

Preparing for a demonstration

Soon to be demonstrating a life value script

Each evening, we met with this incredible young people discussing training content
 and presentation skills for trainers. These young trainers far exceeded my expectations as they help present on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  We were so excited for them - they get it!
(ltr Ana, Theresa, Rachel, Lizy, Ana, David Domingo, Juan and Dana)

Giving instructions for role plays.

Ana asks David to participate in a demonstration.

                       

The Salvation Army has 19 children's homes in Mexico and their staff was
well represented.

Finishing the last day on Saturday - this is the second group of some
of the finest folks we have met.  Among these folks is also a key government leader who
expressed great interest in spreading this training.  That is why we were there - to prepare, support, and mentor trainers to carry on the work.


Our prayer for this week continues to be that the hearts and minds of wounded children will experience healing by the touch of these caregivers and supporters.