NEW FACES. NEW FRIENDS

Ithink Marge and I were as excited as Maria about our trip to Mariano Matamoros. Christina had invited us for lunch and the day had arrived. Maria’s first trip to the hot, dusty valley that lies 15 miles southeast of Tijuana downtown. 15 years ago it was a sparsely populated agricultural area. Now, with the invasion of the Maquiladoras,100,000 or more people crowd the valley and slopes. It is here that Habitat for Humanity built over 200 houses for the working poor. 100 of those in 1990. One week in June of 1990! Jimmy Carter and his wife, yours truly, and 1500 other volunteers from around the world. Though I had begun with Habitat in 1989, it was this event that began the seeds of our friend ship with these wonderful people. Our lives were forever changed. They, with real homes and concrete floors; Marge and I, with a growing friendship with many of the families. As the many little houses have grown in size and content, so also has the strength of our bond to them. Christina once asked me why did we keep coming to this dry, treeless, ugly place; my answer; was because we love you. Sometimes I feel sad that of all the volunteers who have come to this place, Marge and I are the only ones left. The community has changed dramatically in 7 years. The houses have expanded in size and numbers. Many have added a third bedroom; some, a fourth. These houses are only. 640 square feet in size. Very small, for many people have 4,5 children. It is a very young neighborhood. Offhand, I can recall only one person, an elderly man, who has died; and one youngster who was killed accidentally. It is a working-class group. Many working two jobs to keep their families together and kids in school. There is no welfare or unemployment in Mexico. The schools charge each family an admission fee each year, and 27

the students all wear uniforms, and buy their own books, supplies, etc..$150-$200 is not rare. That is one month’s earnings for many. They manage somehow. Several are going to college. Isn’t that wonderful? Most were born in cardboard shacks with dirt floors. Outside toilets, no running water ·or electricity. Now they are studying accounting, computers, science, medicine, and English. Those parents who have children in college are literally bursting with pride. This sense of purpose and drive is inspiring; one of the reasons we travel down to Mariano.

Paved roads are rare in this area. In the winter the rains change everything to mud. In the summer dust and holes. Sunday we saw two children with shovels filling in the potholes on one of the streets. Motor ists often give them a tip for doing what the city would never do. Everyone works at something.

Christina and Cuca were waiting for us. You remember Cuca; she and Prisciliana came up a few weeks ago. She is a very funny lady. When she speaks slowly her English is good. However, she seldom speaks slowly and then her Spanish takes over. I keep telling her to speak slowly so I can understand. Anyway, she and Christina greeted Maria as if she were the last star of the silent screen; a queen indeed. No sooner had we sat down and began a cocktail, [Maria drank water] than the family began to come over. Christina’s daughter lives close by. The grandchildren Montserrat, Danny, Christopher, Berenice, and Mario, her son-in-law.Bere’s boyfriend, Christina’s brother, and wife, and on and on. Maria was overwhelmed by the crowd. I had prepared my introduction of Maria to them in Spanish but there was no time and they all greeted her and talked with her and were so friendly toward her. I was so touched. She was a part of the family immediately. Once the conversations began, Maria was caught up in all the talking. Maria was enjoying herself to the fullest! After a while, they all left for Mario’s house to celebrate Danny’s fourth birthday. Then we 28

five got down to serious business; mole. This is a wonderful dish that Cuca is an expert at preparing. Pork, tomatoes, rice, chiles, cumin, and a chocolate base. Marge and I were in culinary shock. The ladies said it was either Mole or chiles Relleno. Both are our favorites. We both had two servings. A bottle of Trader Joe’s white wine was added to the banquet. After such a great meal one does not need a dessert. Christina served a fruit gelatin cup. I had an extra tortilla. Mario invited us for birthday cake at his house but we did not have enough time. After our meal, Maria brought out her new album and showed the ladies her photos. In addition to those we brought, she had several others of the boys and herself. Maria keeps telling me that she is not photogenic. It is hard for her to smile. Marge helps by tickling her. We looked forward to this day with great anticipation. We were not disappointed in the least. I can think of several other friends who would gladly invite Maria to their homes. We will save this for another time.

Soon it was time to leave Mariano. Cuca asked for a ride back to SD. She spends four days each week there working for a family with four children. I have told her in the past to cook mole for any of her families.”You will always have a job once they taste your mole.” They have and she will.

The boys were very happy to see their mother. I could see that they were not so nervous this time. Maria had to show Cuca her parakeets. She has three. They are good company for her while the boys are away at school. The doors of their cages are always open. She has good fun with them and their constant chattering. Maria also has a cat; named Cat. That cat keeps the place clear of rodents, and this really amazes me, the cat does not bother the birds! Maria told me of the time when a large cat came into her room with the birds in mind. Her cat attacked the other and drove him out of the room. What a family! During one of our earlier visits, Maria told us that she had sold some items we had brought to her. On Sundays, 29

her neighborhood is very busy with people selling all kinds of goods in front of their houses. She seemed excited about the idea of selling clothes right in front of her house. I will start bringing her the donations of clothing we receive. If she earns a few pesos each week, it will cut down on her time at the border. She told us that she pays one neighbor $5 each month for her electricity and Sra. Emilia, $4 per month for her non-drinking water. The boys hook up a hose in the rear for this water.

Before we said our goodbyes, I gave Maria a few tasks to do before our next visit. “Please find out how much the truck will cost to cart away the rubbish around your place.” The youth group from our church is coming down in July. “Also, please write a thank you note to Sebrina Laurie for the little purse. Lastly, please check with the government land office, “Inmobiliaria”, about the cost of the land where your room is located.” She found out that the land is not owned by her neighbor’s landlord.” Until May 29, take care of yourself and stay away from the beans and chiles.

“When we reached Cuca’s San Diego house she insisted that we meet her family. A very nice couple with four children. Cuca is very happy with this family. “My kids,” she says, and they are teaching her English. Still, most of her sentences are mixed in both languages. Before I close, a funny story. Cuca called the other day all excited. I was not home so she tried to tell Marge something. Marge understood the word “enfermo”, meaning sick. That was all. When I arrived I called her right away. She asked if we had been sick this week after the lunch at Christina’s. No, we were not sick. She was quite ill with that 24-hour bug.” It was not the mole, Cuca, I think you ate something after you got back to SD. “ “Maybe,” she said. She was quite concerned about us.

Monday

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This will be a very exciting week so I want to begin getting my thoughts together. Maria is returning to SD for another appointment. This time with Felix, the orthotist. It is after this meeting that we have invited her back to our house. She will be very happy also. I will be sure to tell the boys that their mother will be returning the next day. This will be a new event in their life. Mother has never been away from them overnight. It will be good for the family. We hope to bring her to meet our Pastor at San Rafael. It is he who called Fr. Joe and requested their help with the braces. When all is completed, I’m sure Fr. Lloyd and Fr. Joe will be receiving thank you notes from Maria. Marge found a pretty dress for Maria. We hope it will be her size. If so, she can wear it for Thursday night’s dinner. The dress is an early birthday gift from Meg and Laurie. Our lady friends always like to dress for dinner when they come here. Marge also made her famous Libertarian orange cake for our guests. Tomorrow she will be contacting the clinic and Bi-National for the necessary letters for her entrance into the US. Always this red tape for each medical appointment!

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