Orphanage just outside Reynosa, Mexico
Nov 22, 2022 14:14:00 #
Immediately after Hurricane Beulah, our church elders decided to give a lot of the donated clothing, food, and other items to an orphanage located on the outskirts of Reynosa.
I went with the group over to the location which was mostly tin buildings, or buildings with their outside being covered with sheet iron. It was primitive but the children seemed happy and glad to see us. We also had some toys as gifts for them. I don’t know how many were there, but probably over 100, at least.
One memory has stuck and cannot be erased was how the staff tried to control all the flys that were swarming around any food or food preparation surfaces in the dining area. They, the staff, would splash a combination of water and kerosene on the tables to thwart the flies. I suppose it was working but was a very crude but inexpensive way to keep them away.
We just have no idea, no concept of how well we have things here in the U.S. Once, on a fishing trip down the coast of Mexico, we were going to the Third Pass, and got stuck. During the period we were trying to extricate the truck, a Mexican driver and I went up to a camp of workers who were mining salt.
It was close to Christmas and all these hovels, just sticks woven together for a ‘casa’ were the actual homes of these poor workers. They had written Felice Navidad, Prospero Anno, and such on their dwellings! They still worshiped God and believed in him even with such minimum living standards. I was ashamed to even ask for help because I had so much to be thankful for and they had so little, but still thankful!
We finally located the manager who did have a truck. He declined to take it down to try to pull ours out. He said if the truck go stuck or broken, all these people would lose their jobs and have no income at all. It was a risk he could not take.
I agree with him. Our new Mexican friends hauled us back to Brownsville. I have never been so happy to see an American face. The border guards saw that we were about like almost drowned rats and waved us back home! Thank the Lord for his kindness, and our Mexican friends. Just Sayin….RJS
I went with the group over to the location which was mostly tin buildings, or buildings with their outside being covered with sheet iron. It was primitive but the children seemed happy and glad to see us. We also had some toys as gifts for them. I don’t know how many were there, but probably over 100, at least.
One memory has stuck and cannot be erased was how the staff tried to control all the flys that were swarming around any food or food preparation surfaces in the dining area. They, the staff, would splash a combination of water and kerosene on the tables to thwart the flies. I suppose it was working but was a very crude but inexpensive way to keep them away.
We just have no idea, no concept of how well we have things here in the U.S. Once, on a fishing trip down the coast of Mexico, we were going to the Third Pass, and got stuck. During the period we were trying to extricate the truck, a Mexican driver and I went up to a camp of workers who were mining salt.
It was close to Christmas and all these hovels, just sticks woven together for a ‘casa’ were the actual homes of these poor workers. They had written Felice Navidad, Prospero Anno, and such on their dwellings! They still worshiped God and believed in him even with such minimum living standards. I was ashamed to even ask for help because I had so much to be thankful for and they had so little, but still thankful!
We finally located the manager who did have a truck. He declined to take it down to try to pull ours out. He said if the truck go stuck or broken, all these people would lose their jobs and have no income at all. It was a risk he could not take.
I agree with him. Our new Mexican friends hauled us back to Brownsville. I have never been so happy to see an American face. The border guards saw that we were about like almost drowned rats and waved us back home! Thank the Lord for his kindness, and our Mexican friends. Just Sayin….RJS
Nov 23, 2022 12:44:53 #
GlsJr40
Loc: Dallas, Tx.
Nice story. You are absolutely correct in saying "we just have no idea, no concept of how well we have things here in the U.S.". We so often need more sense of gratitude and humility!
Nov 23, 2022 13:18:06 #
HenryG
Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts
Robert J Samples wrote:
Immediately after Hurricane Beulah, our church eld... (show quote)
Nice story Mr Samples Thanks🇺🇸👍
Nov 24, 2022 16:22:08 #
While I was still working, I traveled all over the world. I've seen some poverty that just about broke me to see it. I couldn't imagine the despair that a man must feel if the best he can provide for his loved ones is a shack made out of sticks and tar paper. Those people would give anything to be as well off as the poorest of us in the USA. I began to appreciate how blessed we are in this country, more than ever.
People who criticize the USA because it isn't "fair" don't know what true poverty is.
People who criticize the USA because it isn't "fair" don't know what true poverty is.
Nov 25, 2022 11:27:36 #
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