AN OPPORTUNITY OF LIFETIME

On our last visit to Mariano, May l7, was stopped in to see Mario and Lulu and the family. It was at that time that Montserrat, the younger of the two girls at 17, told me that she would like to come to SD for several months before she begins college, order to learn more English. Did we know a family that might be interested in bringing her into their home? What a great idea! An opportunity of a lifetime for this fine young lady. San Rafael has been so good in the past, I would start there first. A notice was run in the curch bulletin on mother’s day; no responces. It was run two weeks later and we recived tree calls. So it was that we met Denise and Michael Eyer and their four kids, one dog and several hampsters. It would be a perfect place for Montse. Merge and I were very impressed and excitely called Tijuana to tell her of the good fortune. We set a date for her and Mario to come up and meet the family. When they arrived at our house I could see that Mario and Montse were not alone; Lulu and Danny came also. No problem, Marge set two more places for dinner after the interview. When we all met at the large two story house, the parent look to each other immediatly. Denise’s kids vere excited, Montse was excited, we were excited. It was a beautiful meeting all around. Our notice in the bulletin started that we wanted a stay at home mother; Montse was not going to be a nanny. She would help with the kids and help Denise. No cooking; Montse is not into cooking yet. On the other hand, Mario is a wonderfull cook. He even teaches at cooking school in Tijuanna. “I have a lady, who comes in once a week to clean. If Montse would like to do this job I will pay her and cancel the lady for several month.” This sounded like a good idea to Montserrat. “During summer vocation we are always on the go. 161

LaJolla to the beach, to the zoo, to the malls.” Oh, Montse, what an education you will receive this summer! The shy little girl from Mariano Matamoros will soon enter into the whole new world. I am reminded of Maria and how her life changed when she began visiting SD. As Marta Steward would say, “it’s a good thing.” New friends, new environs are always beneficial I believe.

August 11, is the day Montserrat will begin her adventure.

Two days after Montse and her mother and father met the Eyers, Marge and I attended our pastor’s annual dinner for the church volunteers. This is a wonderful dinner Monsignor Lloyd puts on each year in appreciation of those who help out at the parish. We were anxious to tell him about the two families and how they will be united. “ l know about your venture. Mike told me the whole story. There they are sitting over there.” Nice going you two, stealing our thunder. “We were so excited, we just had to call Msg. Lloyd. “We all had a nice chat and got their input about the Montenegro family. They both thoroughly enjoyed Mario and Lulu; and Montse, of course!

When Montse was here I told her that we had another family interested in a girl to live in for several months. “My friend Maria Eugenia, a classmate, would love to come over also.” Mario joined in, “ I know her and she is a good girl and her parents are good people. “ This is sufficient enough for us. Mario has our complete trust. So it is that four families will share in an experience that will undoubtedly change their lives. The girls’ will never see things in the same light as they did in that hot, dusty Colonia.

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