MERRY CHRISTMAS

Indeed it is. Last Sunday this time we were in the deluge at Mariano Matamoros. Today, the sun is out and 11 turkeys are being roasted in the Tijuana area. I could almost smell the auroma when talking with several families today. 18 families received food, turkeys, and treats. Five special families shared money donations from our friend’s charitable group. 30 plus generous friends made this Christmas a happy one in Mexico. Our seventh annual food collection was as always, a success.

Mario, our most reliable friend, will be playing chef today. He loves to work in the kitchen. Roast, bake, fry, whatever. Mario is the man who went to New York City last winter to work in a restaurant for several weeks. He endured much, living in one room and walking the streets to work in that terrible City winter. Why? Mario and his wife Lulu have a son who wants to finish studying for his MD. A daughter, Berenice, just finishing her master’s in chemistry and biology. Montserrat, in her last year of high school. You know she will go to the university next year. Christopher, junior high. Danny, starting kinder next fall. Do you see a good investment here?

Paricia Chavez. You just read about it. Her escape from an abusive, macho husband. It is a long trip from Mexico City to Tijuana, along with four children. Patricia is a production line supervisor at a Sony plant. That sounds important. It Just means she earns in n $80-90 per week bracket. And, she gets to work 12 hours every Saturday! Another solid investment.

Prisciliana. Abandoned by her husband and left with six kids. Your loss Felipe; your loss. Six wonderful kids who love their mother and help her in every way. Prisciliana never went to school. 108

Yet, she taught herself to read. Her kids all read and write. Who is the first to call and wish a Merry Christmas and thank us for the gifts? Prisciliana. Substance. Quality. Good investment.

Don Nacho, the community elder. Still working in construction. Still struggling through the Tijuana winters. They are hard on Nacho. Rosa Orozco and her husband, raising two fine children. Cuca, working in San Diego four days a week to help her ailing father, Jesse. I could go on and on. You get the picture.

Maria Martinez Gomez, Maria. I say no more.

We are fortune ones, John. We are fortune ones. Note: John Sullivan, our dear friend since 1970, died on Christmas day in the year 2000.

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