A Brief Hiatus

As Rev. Paul Rasmussen asked me today, "Aren't you supposed to be out of town? Aren't you supposed to be blogging somewhere?" In short; yes. However, for one week I will be enjoying a short break back here in Dallas.

Being in Matamoros has been amazing, rewarding, and very difficult. I am looking forward to these few days to rest, relax, and to process some of my experiences. I am what some might call in a glass case of emotion, as I sort through the joy, sadness and anger that has accompanied the last month's experiences.

Thank you for the support and for reading. Expect new posts in about a week.

Paz,

Matt

I really don't have a clever title

Today was filled with more construction with the group from Iowa. I was in charge of getting people set up at the different work sites, and then overseeing the Santa Maria construction site. It was a great day. I enjoyed the work, and getting to know the group better. After work today, we returned to the house. Here I learned that it was the last day of school for Jesse and Nancita. After they told me, they burst out into cheers as if Mexico won the world cup. Dra. Nancy and I had a good laugh at that. Now that school is out, the kids will continue swim lessons almost every day. These kids love swimming. They brag about when its their day to go to swim lessons, how well they're doing, and compare themselves to each other constantly. We never thought that swim lessons would consume their desires and conversations, but it has.

Today Diana (mother of 2 year old Jabez) gave birth to a baby boy. Both mother and child are healthy. She is still in the hospital recovering from the C-section, so tonight is the second night in a row that little Jabez has been staying with us. He is an amazing little boy and full of laughs. He runs around the house, especially wherever I am, yelling Ma-te-o. He insists on sitting next to me and has rarely left my side since I walked in. In fact, before writing this, he was leaning up against me as all of us kids were watching the Simpsons (some comedy does carry across languages). I feel really honored and love playing with the little guy, but I can't help but feel sad as I recognize the lack of a father figure in his life. As I walked around with him today on my shoulders, or held his hand down the stairs, or picked him up after he fell, I couldn't help but think that someone else should be doing all of these things. Some guy has no idea what he has walked away from.

I have also really enojoyed getting to know Gloria more the last few days. She has pushed me to talk more, as she can't understand why I don't talk as much as her teenage friends. In the last couple of days we have connected over music. Although not many of our tastes overlap, I at least know all of the American bands she listens to, some of which I listened to in middle school. It has been good to connect in some way. She has a very sad story which I'd heard from Larry and Nancy, but am also begining to hear from Gloria as well. She is an amazing girl and to have such a good outlook on life is inspiring, even as she tells me about some of her freinds with similar situations but harmful coping mechanisms.

This has been a great day. I feel as though I have worked hard this week, but more importantly the relationships I have been making are strengthening every day. I cannot be happier about that.

Paz,
Mateo

Mass, Food, Work

Sunday was a more relaxed day, as it should--being the sabbath and all. We began the day by taking the volunteer group to a mass that Dra. Nancy likes to go to. It is a little over an hour/hour & 15 minutes drive from Matamoros. We went to this mass because the priest, Father Emillo, is supposedly the real deal. He used to preach in Matamoros, drawing huge crowds, and even started a children's home for abandoned children. A real nice guy who became successful by preahing good homilies, and doing good in the community. This apparently sparked some jealousy and other bad feelings from the other priests. When they got their opportunity, they re-assigned him to a church in his small home town. The joke is kind of on them, because as we showed yesterday, people still drive to see him. The church was packed, and the message was good; I only wish I understood more of it. The basic jist-- Do things not out of fear but out of confidence, the confidence you find in Christ. I didn't catch to much of it beyond that.

After church (1:30ish) we went to a little resturant for some good Mexican eats. This was by far the best meal I've had in Mexico. We had homemade fajitas, guacamole, bean soup, a variety of salsas, and a cheese dish that went well inbetween a tortilla. Seriously, amazing stuff. Then we drove back in the rain to Matamoros, where the group wanted to work for about 4 hours.

I continued to build truces and teach some of the volunteers how to do so. Others worked on several houses. After dinner, we went on a walking tour of Derechos Humanos, one of my favorite aspects of what Larry does. We introduced them to some of the families, and showed them the canal. The horrifics of the canal had a grave impact on me last year, and its kind of pleasing /refreshing to see others react in the same way. This canal (20 feet from homes) is the Mexican answer to NAFTA and sweage. The canal consists of what comes out of toilets that flush, and what comes out of the Maquiladores, or factories created just along the border to avoid US regulations. These Maquiladores drain their waste into the canal, leaving toxic chemicals in the canal which could easily overflow into people's homes. One time they took a sample of the canal to see what was in it. Most bacteria levels could not be read because they were so far off the charts. They did find that there was a high level of Benzene, which is a known carcinogen. The EPA standard is that for every 5 parts benzene, you add 1 billion parts water to properly dilute it. The test showed that the canal had 300x the normal level of benzene. Such toxicity, so close to so many homes... <http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/contaminants/dw_contamfs/benzene.html>

One of the pipes spewing toxic waste into the canal. Notice the green and red discolorations of the concrete...


On another sad note:
If you are the praying type, please pray for Hart Family who tragically died in a car accident yesterday, their friends and family, and for others involved in the accident. Geoff, his wife, daughter, and two boys they were adopting today, were leaving church yesterday in Plano when a driver ran a red light and hit their minivan. Their family of 5 were all killed, and the other driver was in the hospital yesterday. The Harts were good freinds of Larry and Nancy, Geoff even serving on the board of Juntos Servimos, where I met him.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/062308dnmetplanofatal.2b573c1a.html


Matt

Dr. Mateo

Today, once we got going, was a great day. I spent the day building roof truces at Casa Bugambilla for a house we are building with a group from Iowa. We are set and ready for tomorrow when the building and other projects begin. It was a great day of thereputic hammering, sun, and manly construction. In the afternoon, I draped a hand towl over my head for shade, turned on my ipod and continued constructing. I haven't felt more Texan in a long time as I working with wood, in the blazing heat, while listening to George Strait. What a great way to spend the afternoon; and to top it all off, Larry and I ate good Texan BBQ at Rudy's in Brownsville for dinner. It reminded me of all the good times with the guys at Tatum's ranch; I can't wait for August.

I also was asked to work with Carla on physical therepy. Dra. Nancy had me write down all of the procedures and take copious notes when Leanna was here a week ago, so I had the exercises available. So for about 30 minutes, I worked with Carla who has Rett's syndrome. Later I learned that the people of Derechos Humanos (the neighborhood where we work) call me Doctor Mateo. Apparently, since I have been doing physical therepy, sitting and talking with patients, and delivering meds they think I'm a doctor. Saved myself 8 years of school on that one! Just kidding, I've instructed people to quell that rumor.

Anyway, I'm doing well. I feel like I'm doing a lot of good, and learning a lot about many different aspects of life. I appreciate your comments, and reading this blog. The support means a lot and to know people care adds to the significance of this experience. Please keep e-mailing me!

Dios te bendiga,

Mateo

More Prep

Today we are getting off to a delayed start because Keyla is having a rough day. When this happens, Larry and Nancy keep her home from school, so Larry and I can't leave until someone comes to watch Keyla. Not a big deal, but now I have a few minutes to write an update.

Today we are going to continue preparing for the group from Iowa that arrives today. That's right, Iowa. I am stunned that they've decided to come and not cancel due to the obvious catastrophe that has happened near their home. It shows an amazing commitment to service. So, today we will work at Santa Maria, the school we are building, and at a new building site where a family will get a new home. Everything should be ready for them to start working tomorrow.

Top Albums of the week:
"Pairs in the Morning" by Joe Purdy
"Narrow Stairs" by Death Cab
Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Volume 3
"X & Y" Coldplay

Book I'm reading this week:
Walden

-Matt

How to put this tastefully

Well, It happened. Last night and today I was sick, of the diarreah type.

Cause: Unknown; suspected egg dish made by Dra. Nancy.
Prognosis: Good, expected to make a full recovery.
For Mom: Really, I'm fine. It's not a big deal.

So due to my stomach and such, not much got done today. Larry and I delivered medicine to two children, one with ADD and the other with Schitzophrenia. Then I watched / napped through Piarates of the Carribean 2, and the two best movies ever made: The Mummy and The Mummy Returns (thanks Jesse). All-in-all, not too bad of a day.

Paz,
Matt

Can You Dig It?

What a day! Today was full of bad translating, physical exhaustion, and laughter....and no I haven't been watching Shaft! (Remember, that show's older than I am)

This mornings' task: Dig a foundation, you dig?. I was able to work hard this morning, but decided to leave it to the professionals in the afternoon. I never surrender, but sometimes I'll put things off until later. This was grueling work, and as to how Santos and Antonio do this on a regular basis, sometimes multiple foundations in a week...I just don't know. I do attribute my 1/2 day of work to several tactical mistakes on my part:

• Mistake 1: Not eating breakfast, thus depriving myself of energy


• Mistake 2: Accepting a Coca-Cola from the very nice family -- wasn't a good choice while I was working


• Mistake 3: The heat and Mexican sun, and;


• Mistake 4: I'm a suburban white kid who spends most days in an air-conditioned room, not digging through levels of earth and old concrete...

After breaking for lunch (thank God), I did some things around Casa Bugambilla that needed to get done, replacing screens on windows, organizing storage, and doing a few errands with Larry.

Today was also filled with laughter, not just physical exertion. Along with the daily conversations with Larry, and my inability to fully communicate in Spanish, I was once again awakend by Keyla coming into my roon and looking at me. This time I woke up when she cleared her throat loudly. When she saw that my eyes were opening, she asked, "Como estas? (How are you?)." To which I promptly sputtered out, "bien Keyla, adios" (well Keyla, goodbye). There's nothing like a personal alarm clock that cares...and can't be set.

The other couple of things that had me cracking up all afternoon, involved Jabez (the 2 year old at Casa Bugambilla). After I had returned from an errand with Frederico, I noticed that there was a fresh piece of...um...excrement at the bottom of a stairwell leading to the upstairs rooms. I assumed a dog, but when Diana walked near later with Jabez, she pointed and asked Jabez, "What happened here?" I was curious so I eavesdropped from the computer, only to see him tilt his head to the side and say, "Mato?", his version of Mateo. Diana didn't buy it, and then he tried to blame it on her, which was probably not a smart strategy. I was loudly laughing at the situation, which I'm sure helped whatever discipline efforts Diana tried, but let's face it, that little guy is funny. Jabez kept me laughing throughout the day, as I took a page from my grandfather's book and taught him to stick his toungue out as a means of salutation. We would greet each other this way, and his facial expression and obvious enjoyment was hillarious.

Until later; Paz,

Mateo

A Modern Day Mother Teresa

Although Dra. Nancy would disagree profusely (which she has already done on several occasions), I cannot help but draw the comparison between her and Mother Teresa. Dra. Nancy has surprised me with her love and dedication to others; not because I didn't expect it, but because I didn't expect it to such an extent. I often think that the 10-12 hour days Larry and I put in are tough, but then I notice that Dra. Nancy gets the kids ready for school in the mornings while Larry and I get ourselves ready, and usually comes home after we have already propped our feet up and turned on the TV. I have never met someone who works so hard and complains so little. In fact, the only times I have heard a complaint from her was in regards to the well-being or mistreatment of others.

Also, her faith is amazing. She has shown me such spiritual discipline and reliance on her faith in my short time here. It is amazing to watch her work, as her love for God and others shines through everything she does. My friend Robert Funke says it well when he says his faith is a lens through which he views all things. I cannot think of someone who this phrase more accurately applies than Dra. Nancy. It is evident that she sees everything from the perspective of her faith and Christian love. Kind of inspiring...

Today was a little bit of a frustrating day as I was more of a tour guide than anything. Larry, Nancy, and I showed around a group labeled MACC from the states as they were seeking to learn more about the Mexican culture and heritage. However, I did happen on a very cool moment. We went to a house to visit yet another boy with Cerebal Palsay, who I would later learn is the very young uncle of Lupita. He did not recieve any therepy or help from his parents, and although he is still very young, he will most likely never walk, and has a whole plethra of problems. I walked into the small two bedroom house and walked in on Dra. Nancy praying over an asleep Javio. She had a look in her eye that is hard to describe and a few tears in the sides of her eyes. This is a person who cannot stand to see others suffer, and indeed suffers with them. It was a very special, and dare I say, holy moment. She soon left after brushing his hair aside. I took a few minutes to pray for him myself before departing and introducing myself to his mother outside. A pretty cool experience, that confirmed my suspicions...Dra. Nancy is a saint living among us.

Dra. Nancy does have one flaw though, that I can see. Today she took Jesse and the girls to see the Incredible Hulk. Normally I would see no problem with this, but Jesse now believes that he is the Incredible Hulk. He also believes that I am whoever the Hulk's enemy is. Aparently the Incredible Hulk likes to jump on people when they are lying on the couch, jump on their back, and punch continuosly. In all seriousness though, I have a lot of fun fighting off the little guy, and can easily hold his arms with one hand and tickle with the other. Its only when he yells, "Nancita Ayudame! (Nancita Help me!) am I in trouble.

"Ask and you shall receive!"

The amount of support and responses I've recieved concerning my last entry has been astounding. Thank you.

Yesterday Leanna, Larry, and I again worked with Lupita, Chilito, and a little girl with Rhett Syndrome named Carla. It was a great day of physical therepy, working muscles, stretching, and discussing what exercises and equipment will be helpful for the patients after Leanna leaves. I was floored when Larry recieved a phone call and I recieved an e-mail from a generous person at HPUMC who has had experience with celebral palsay. She was inquiring and offering to aid us in getting Jonathan his pacer walker. What an amazing response!

Today, members from a Brownsville mission were cleaning out a storage shed and brought excess wheelchairs, canes, crutches, and other medical supplies. It was an amazing gift, and they even brought a physical therapist's table which was perfect for our morning with Chilito. We were seeing things begining to fall into place. Chilito was awesome during therepy. Despite her old age and discomfort, she fought through the pain to exercise her legs and pushed herself beyond anyone's expectations. She at least tripled what she could do yesterday, and responded well to a few new exercises. After one particularly painful exercise in which Leanna backed off, I heard her mumble something along the lines of "I can lift/do more." For me, today was much more "hands on" I helped with many exercises, held people both big and small, young and old. I seemed to constantly be pushing, pulling, bracing, holding, or supporting someone (and lots of translating). It's quite a feeling.

Lupita also had a good session in which we helped her sit, stand and placed her feet in a walking motion on the floor. Lupita has already shown an increase in neck/ head control. She can lift and support her head most of the time, and showed great control over her trunk today. She also seemed more relaxed and willing to try things. She responded well to therepy and provided lots of laughs as her eyes followed Jabez around the room. He even offered to share his toys with her, and when we touched her hand to his, her eyes lit up and a smile stretched as far as her face would allow. It was a great session, and as we braked for lunch we thought the day couldn't get any better. Lupita has already shown great improvement, and her mother has too. Mimi actually assisted us in a few exercieses today! It may not sound like much, but that is a huge change from the last few years. Perhaps, we gave her some hope, or a glimpse of what can happen. Lupita is also a "prime candidate for a pacer walker", and with help, she too may walk.

Imagine my joy at the donation, the generous idea of getting a pacer walker from Dallas, and the successful sessions with today's patients. Then one of the trucks from this morning's donations came by with one last donation. Leanna saw him pull up from inside; I was outside, and both of us saw some contraption in the truck bed. Leanna came running outside just as he opened the tailgate to display a fully loaded pacer walker. It had everything Jonathan needs, and was correct down to the size of each attachment. Words cannot begin to describe my feelings at this moment, so Leanna's tears of joy and my "cloudy" eyes will have to suffice. Those of you who know me, know that I really don't like it when people through around Christian rhetoric with vague meanings...but this was truly a work of God. To have a pacer walker (value $2700) delivered to our doorstep with the exact attachments, in the exact sizes, by people who did not know about Jonathan, our plans to buy one, or my blog is nothing short of miraculous. Too many things fell perfectly into place, as we recieved this gift around 3:00pm today and have planned on visiting Johnathan in Reyonosa tomorrow since Monday. It truly is amazing. With this tool, Jonathan's perserverance, and his parent's determination, we are quite confident that he will walk.

It looks like we will still need a walker for Lupita, but the blessings I have been shown today are remarkable. I will not soon forget the smiles, excitment, laughter and joy of the past few days, and I can only expect more tomorrow when I see Jonathan in his new walker!

Paz,
Mateo

Several Hard Days

I haven't gotten to write for a few days; so, I'll apologize upfront for the length of this post. It covers the experiences from last Sunday to tonight. These past three days, although requiring a minimal amount of physical output, have exhausted me and pushed me beyond the reaches of anything I had yet experienced in this internship.

On Sunday, Larry and I went to Los Fresnos to meet a volunteer group from Indianapolis, IN. One of their members happens to be a children's physical therapist. This has turned out to be a blessing for this community too great for words. Leanna has done some amazing things with several children with disabilities in the community. We first visited Angelita (translates to Little Angel) who lives down the road from Casa Bugambilla. I remembered Angelita from last year as a girl who was overweight, bed-ridden, and without neck control. I was joyfully surprised to see her this time in a wheel chair (given by Larry and Nancy) and able to not only keep her head up, but move the wheels. Angelita has always had an infectious laugh, and seems to love to talk. Angelita does however suffer from spina bifida, and has an estimated ninety degree curve in her spine. This leaves her without feeling from the mid-torso down, and a shorter than normal trunk which accumulates a lot of her weight. Because of her weight and spine curvature, her lungs are not able to fully inflate, leaving her with a very small lung capacity. Despite her disability, she was very cheerful and provided lots of laughs as she and I played with a basketball (I would roll it to her and she would use her hands to manipulate her feet into kicking it back to me) and as Leanna snuck in a few tickles between checking on her spine. Her prognosis requires years and years of work, but her parents are determined to help her. The main goal is to get her to sit up by herself and possibly get her to transfer herself from wheelchair to bed. This is a long-term goal, and Larry and Nancy have already raised money for some helpful surgery, and her parents seem like the type of people who will work with her and help her achieve her goals. She was the only child we could find for Leanna that day, so we set up a few "appointments" for the next day.

On Monday, It was more time with Leanna. This time, we spent the morning with Jonathan who is a little 2-year old boy from Reynosa Mexico, about an hour and a half away. His parents brought him all that way to meet with Leanna, the father sacrificing a full day's pay from a 4 day factory work-week. His love and dedication to his son was extremely evident from the begining. I watched this man, Jesus, about as much as I watched little Jonathan who has cerebral palsy, a truely diabilitating disease. Jonathan was a real trooper and seemed to respond well to Leanna. On this morning, he got about 3-4 hours, one on one with a physical thearapist. This is a huge difference from his normal routine of 3 1-hr sessions in a class with 12 other kids with disabilities; which translates to at most 5 minutes three times a week. Leanna showed the parents some exercises to do and worked with Jonathan on the floor. They want to see him walk, but in-order to ever have a chance, he needs a special walker. It is almost certain he will get one, even if Larry has to dip further into his own pocket. My heart was crushed for this family as I saw their young son struggle with such a huge obsticle and imagined the parent's daily struggles and sufferings as well.

In the afternoon, we visited Lupita, an 8 year old girl who also has cerebral palsy. Lupita is up to about 30 pounds now thanks to lots of pedia-lite from Larry and Nancy. NOTICE: She is 8 years old and UP to 30 pounds; quite remarkable. Leanna fitted her for a special chair that I was going to construct the next day in order to help her posture and to help her learn how to sit. Again Leanna worked miracles, evaluating the child and bringing them joy through play and laughter. Unfortunately, Lupita's mother Mimi was too busy watching television to notice. She seems to show minimal effort or interest in her daughter's life. It was heartbreaking and added another level to the suffering that I was witnessing. We noticed in the little house / room next door that a woman with 1 month old twins was struggling. We inquired as to how she was doing and discovered that Reisa, one of the twin girls had a horrible case of diaper rash and was extremely uncomfortable. Her mother, who was probably 3 years younger than me, was overwhelmed by the twins and her 2 year old son, and was treating the diaper-rash with corn starch. We went to a pharmacy in the states to buy the proper ointments and to drop Leanna off. Then we returned to alleviate some of the pain of that baby, giving the mom the ointment and telling her how to use it. Then we went to Casa Bugambilla to check on the patients there and wait for Dra. Nancy.

It is here between the hours of 9:30-10:30 that the highlights of my past couple of days have occured. Keep in mind that this has been a very long and trying day, as at times it was almost too much to see these kids struggle and to think about living as they do or as their parents do. I was tired and ready to relax in some air conditioning when one of the patients at Casa Bugambilla asked for my help. Chilito is an elderly woman recovering from a leg wound which doctors at first wanted to amputate until Dra. Nancy talked them out of it. Her leg is healing but it is extremely hard for her to walk, even with crutches. She told me that there were things in between her toes and that it was hurting her. I went to the kitchen, got some gause and sanitizer solution, and got down on my knees and began cleaning gunk out from in-between this woman's toes, and cleaning her feet. I was stuck by the moment as I realized what I was doing. To me the symbolism was amazing as the motive for my internship, to love people in a Christ-like way, was realized. I tell this not to brag or paint myself a better person than I am, but because it was an amazing moment for me as I felt acomplished in my desire to truly and instinctively love others. The other highlight is when Jabez, a two year old who lives at Bugambilla, came up to me and grabbed my finger. The whole week I had been interacting with him but felt a little resistance and hesitance from the little guy as he explored who this big gringo is. But, last night he ran up to me, grabbed my finger and led me outside. He pointed at the moon and said, "Mira!" (look). I picked him up and held him as I told him the word for moon, and pointed also at the stars, telling him the word for them as well. He was looking into the heavens with excitment and understanding of just how big and amazing it was, something I think we too often forget or don't care to take the time to look. We spent a few minutes just looking at the moon and stars, pointing, gazing, and smiling. I'm still not sure why that moment was so special, but it was.

This morning, I built the chair for lupita with help from handy-man Chuey. This took most of the morning as we made one little attachment after another until it rivaled the best thereputic chairs and standers that money can buy. It is an amazing chair that will hopefully aid in teaching Lupita how to sit and stand. Even more amazing though, is how everything fit together so well. For example, not only did the chair fit Lupita perfectly, but we found a tray that would fasten onto it without having to make any special cuts, and a number of small decisions turned out to allow for things we would only think of much later on. We would have an idea for an attachment and find that the way we built the chair was already able to accomodate what we wanted perfectly. Unfortunately, while Leanna fitted Lupita in the chair, Mimi (Lupita's mother) was more interested in a children's toy than any of the children present.

The extremely sad part of my day was this afternoon, when I discovered little Jabez alone in a hot upstairs room, tears still streaming down his face. His mom had left without telling anyone where or for how long. This little 2 1/2 year old was left to fend for himself, with no water, food, or anything. I played with him for several hours, waiting for his mother to return. When she didn't, Larry and I decided to take Jabez with us as we checked out a woman's house that needs a new roof (HPUMC readers --you'll probably see this roof, wink*). Then we went back to Casa Bugambilla to await for Jabez's mother to return. Hours passed, as Jabez and I played and played. Larry and I once again decided to take Jabez with us, but this time to Larry's house. I took Jabez upstairs and told him to get his shoes and a t-shirt. I grabbed a spare diaper, and looked down at him as he began to say, "y Mama? y Mama?" My heart dropped as I didn't know what to say to him. I just said we were going home with Larry. I saw the tears begining to form so I picked him up and started bouncing him, all the while thinking that I could just as easily start crying. Diana, Jabez's mother still had not called anyone and had been AWOL for about 6-7 hours; I should also mention she is 9 months pregnant. It was not until 11:00 tonight that she finally called us at the house and came to get him. I don't know what her excuse was and frankly, I don't care. There is no excuse, and as to how a mother could leave her 2 year old presumably alone for 10-11 hours is beyond me.

So, as you can see, its been an emotional couple of days. But I take comfort in the fact that I am truely alleviating the suffering of others, and that my being disturbed and upset is in itself a loving response. I take joy in that I have been given many opportunities to love others and live a life beyond myself, which is extremely fufilling.


Song of the week:
"Picture of Jesus" by Ben Harper

Paz,
Mateo

Mexican Parables

Today I taped and bedded dry-wall. It was not an overly exciting day, but one of a lot of work. In the morning two men presumably from the city water company threatened to turn off the water and sewage at Casa Bugambilla (the main refuge) if we did not show them a reciet for the last month. In other words we had to prove to them that we had paid them...stupid. But I thought tonight would be a good time to share some wisdom I've accumulated over the last couple of weeks:

• If you wish to drive well in Mexico, thou shalt not be afraid of crashing
• Wash and dry your hands thoughouly after eating jalepeños
• Every American seems to know "Un Poco español"
• Toilet paper, contrary to its name, does not go in the toilet
• If you give a dog a bone, he'll want another one. If you give a dog food, water, and a dry place to sleep; she'll never leave
• Like Christmas lights, police are really just for decoration.
• Homemade tortillas are better than store-bought, period.
• Paved roads are a privalage, not a right.
• If thou wise, thou shalt not wave at the Mexican Military Police at the border
• If you are convinced that the kids are talking about you, they probably are
• Happy Feet still doesn't make sense, even in Spanish
• Long drives means a sharing of lives
• Everything is better with a slice of lime
• We are all human.
• In Mexico, there's always mañana...

Paz,

Mateo

1 Turn at a Time

For the past two days I have been working alongside a volunteer group from a church in Oklahoma. It has been fun working alongside them and getting to know them. Their congregation and a few of their group members have had long-standing relationships with Juntos Servimos dating back years. It has been very re-assuring to see people commited to Juntos Servimos, and the relationships they form here.

My highlight of the last two days has been working with Alexis, who is the eleven year old boy with autism. The project of constructing seats and letting him drive the screws has gone better than I could have expected the last two days. On Monday, we introduced him to the screw-driver and helped him turn screws. It was a battle keeping him focused and determined. He would often run off, and we would have to yell out, "Ayudame! (Help me!). He would come back and make a few more turns. This went on until the noise of the saws were too much for him to handle--this was after driving about 40 screws. Today he drove 20 screws with me. Think for a second how many turns of a screw driver it takes to put in a 3 1/2 inch screw. Now multiply that to be applicable for an 11 year old. He turned the screw-driver a whole lot, requiring a lot of muscle use and repetitive motion. I had to apply some pressure and to make sure that the screw driver was lined up with the screw, but I had to do that less and less as we went on. The repetitive motion is thereputic for him. This project also gives him a goal, and a sense of accomplishment once his task is completed. No disease could mask his excitment upon completeing a screw, especially with minimal help from me. This may not seem like much, but getting him to do that is a huge first step (hopefully). Larry and I are even considering building him a small workshop if his interest in construction continues to become aparent. He has a creative mind and he has added onto a handcart already. If he continues responding well to the guided teaching of screws and such, maybe we can give him a creative, constructive outlet. This work has been very rewarding for him, and for me as well. I am very happy about this project and feel that it shows the personal care and creative healing geared toward each individual Juntos Servimos cares for.

Tomorrow I will act as a translator for Dr. Nancy, as we take a group of people to the fishing villages near the coast. We are returning a cancer patient to her home from a treatment, and will dispense some basic supplies. This will certainly prove to be challenging, as I am not exactly qualified to be a translator. Being the only bi-lingual person is a little daunting, but I have been surprised by how much my spanish has improved already, and hopefully this will continue.

I've appreciated the e-mails and facebook posts, so keep them coming!

Paz,

Matt

Matt Merrill: Teacher?

Today (Sunday) was a fairly light day, I even got to sleep in to 8:30! I proceeded to continue sub-categorizing reciets, and saying the many holas y buenas dias to Keyla. I was then asked to help Jesse with his homework, especially in English. This proved to be a difficult task, but I was happy to help in whatever way I could. Jesse and I worked on basic sentences, pronouns, and verbs for a little over 4 hours. He was obviously tired and frustrated, and I had to play the "diciplined parent" preventing him from watching TV or other distracting activities. It was not a role I enjoyed, but after a while he seemed to be getting better. I let him study some other subjects while I continued with the tedious reciets and expense reports. It was a boring but exhaustive morning with a wide spectrum of emotions. I saw tears when Jesse had to stay home and study with me while Nancy and the other kids went to a movie, and the amazing smile and high five after I confirmed that he answered a question correctly. Such swings in such a short time...

When Larry returned from "Al otro lado" or the other side (US). Jesse and I went with him and a volunteer group from Oklahoma to visit the Colonia Santa Maria, which is the construction project in which we are building a small school and where a woman and her 11 year old autistic twin boys live, and to visit Casa Bugambilla, the main refuge. The group wanted to see what work they were going to be doing this week, which consists of raising drywall, painting, and several other small construction projects. I will be working alongside them tomorrow, and working on a special project: I will be trying to construct a very basic bench with the help of Alexis, one of the autistic boys living there. This will entail me trying to get him to turn the screws and drive a few nails in its construction. No telling how this will go, but I love the idea of this project.

One of the highlights of today was spending a lot of time with little Jesse. We played for the most part this afternoon while the volunteer group looked around and found out what they were going to be doing all week. I felt like a big brother as I played with and translated for the 7 year old. He kept me laughing all afternoon, whether it was by climbing up on things only to jump onto me, coming up behind me and squirting me with little squirt guns, or asking me to blow bubbles so that he could run and smack them with his hands (Imagine him clapping loudly and yelling POP!) As tiring as the morning was trying to teach Jesse basic English, the afternoon proved to be very fun and refreshing. I go to bed tonight with high expectations for tomorrow.

Until later,

Matt