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Saric
Cerro Prieto
Trincheras
Trip Report February 14, 2009 By Ruth Schaller
Gisela and Ruth arrived at Grace a little before 7 a.m. and loaded the van, including mail for Pastor Baerbock. Mary Ann arrived within a few minutes and then Fabiola and her husband, Dalton, about 7:20. They requested to follow us in their vehicle as they had their dog, Maxito, along. We stopped in Three Points for gas and an explanation of what to look for (Kitt Peak, etc.)
We proceeded on this absolutely beautiful, sunny day and crossed the border with ease. We had a nice visit with Ben and Patricia, who were both in a good frame of mind today. We got the pesos for two months from Patricia and told her that John would bring four bags of material she had requested on Sunday. We left Sasabe just after 9:30.
The road was basically in good shape with some mud and ruts, but quite passable. There was a large amount of road kill today and we saw at least three-gorgeous crested caracara feeding along with the vultures. We arrived in Saric at 10:25 before the service had started. Ruth gave Karen a box of fruits rollups and candy which had been donated to us. They were for her to give to the children in the two villages after their SS lesson since today is “el Dia del Amor y Amistad" in Mexico (Valentine’s Day for us). After the service, Fabiola handed out the coupons which were packed in baggies along with Valentine candies for each of the women. The volunteers also handed out caps, scarves, sweaters and handmade children's clothes which were sent from a church in Prescott. Everyone seemed so thrilled with what they received!
Ruth and Gisela paid the stores, having a lovely visit with the owners of both of them. As we left the second store, we were stopped by a middle-aged man who called out to us and asked if we were there for the children. In broken English and Spanish he told us with very kind words and compliments how much what we were doing was benefiting the village of Saric. We told him it was our privilege to serve and that we were doing it out of love for the Lord and the people. He noted that God had blessed us and was using us to bless others. Our hearts were greatly warmed by this thoughtful exchange. We later found out he was the father-in-law of one of the women who had made and helped to serve the scrumptious posole we were served, along with toast and lemon and cilantro.
While delivering a birthday gift in Saric to a 9-year-old girl and getting a photo of her for her sponsor family, we found out that her little 18-month-old nephew was not there today because he had been bitten seriously in the face by a dog and was getting care instead of being at the dispensa. In addition to the gift, Ruth also passed out photos she had taken at Christmas of various activities.
After we ate, Lupe and Blanca pulled us out into the backyard and expressed their disgust with some women who came late and then talked and did not participate in the service, just wanted the coupons. They want them to attend the service. We again reiterated that attending service was not a requirement. However, since the women have ownership of the service, they can request respect for the pastor and other attendees. We also suggested that any disciplinary words be directed to all the women and that these women should not be singled out so as to avoid problems. This is their right and the women who do the voluntary work have the authority to speak to all and set some standards for the gathering.
Since we were already late to Cerro Prieto, we went right to the stores. After paying at Graciela's store, we noted that Mr. Miranda's store was chained. We went to his daughter's store and waited while she gave an order and received the goods. She then gave us the coupons, telling us that her father was in Caborca today. We paid her and left for Julia's, where we found the service was over and everyone was waiting for us!
Here, as in Saric, the coupons were pre-packaged for distribution. We also handed out sponsor gifts, cards and photos taken by Ruth. A box of hand knitted items was also taken here, along with a box of baby clothing and diapers. We had a big envelope of handmade Valentines for Patricia Gamas from her sponsor, a WELS daycare in WI. She is so grateful for everything and thanked us so nicely for the assistance. Ana Maria, who got the sewing machine at Christmas, told us she is using it; we gave her a large box of thread donated by a church in Prescott. Fabiola brought a belt for Maribel's sewing machine as requested. Maribel gave Mary Ann a hand-embroidered blouse during lunch. We received three letters for sponsor families. We retired to Julia's kitchen where we had a variety of mini-tacos on soft tortillas along with cabbage and pico de gallo.
In both villages we left copies of the coupon list for corrections for Mary Ann to enter into the computer. They will be picked up on April 11 when we go again. We left Cerro Prieto about 2:30 with Gisela driving home as Mary Ann had driven to Mexico. Fabiola and Dalton went to the parsonage with Pastor and Karen. We saw some awesome pink prickly pear cacti and stopped to take photos. We stopped at Juliana Parra's to get a payment from her for the International Collection Agency. The twins are 14 now and in school in Tucson. They are living with her nephew and attending 9th grade at Desert View High School. It is obvious she misses them.
After paying Patricia, she took us to the property where she and Ben had built a small rustic home. It is absolutely charming and we asked when we could rent it for a getaway!! She made coffee for us, then showed us around the bar they own where the dance would be tonight. It is the only such facility in Sasabe and even has a swimming pool (not in use.) Ben rode up on his horse about then and we thought we would have to leave Mary Ann there as she could not be lured away! We headed for the border about 5, all of us commenting that Ben and Patricia both were more relaxed today.
We crossed the border with ease and proceeded to Three Points where we found Fabiola and Dalton also stopping for refreshments! We visited a few minutes. An INS agent told me that the UA had lost the game to the UCLA Bruins, sort of dampening our spirits. I called Loren and he said that we had WON by 12 points. A happy ending to an awesome day!
We arrived at Grace before 7, thanking God for a safe and totally enjoyable day. None of us could remember a more rewarding trip. (Pastor Baerbock had informed Ruth that he had picked up the oxygen concentrator from Susana's family and has it at the parsonage. He suggested we leave it there for now.)
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