Septermber 2006 – Mariquita’s House Floods

You may have seen in the news about the recent record-breaking storms in our area. It was scary at times. The rain came down in sheets and dramatic lightning bolts electrified the atmosphere. Waterfalls formed in the desert landscape, turning dry gulches into mighty streams that washed away everything in their paths. El Paso, known as Sun City, did not see the sun for several days. These downpours flooded many areas and destroyed a lot of homes and property. The situation in Juarez, Mexico was particularly grave. Certain houses, especially those made of cardboard or unfinished adobe brick, dissolved in the rains. Roads were eroded away, making it difficult to get to some of the homes we deliver food to on a regular basis.

Mariquita, one of those we visit each week, is a blind lady who is always joyful, . Her house was built in the bottom of a gully with steep steps made of old, discarded tires leading down to it. During the worst days of the storms, one of her daughters came and took her home to stay for two days. Eager to return to her little shack, Mariquita had her daughter take her back after the rains subsided. To their horror, the place was submerged in 1 to 2 feet of muddy water. Her son came to help and they filled bucket after bucket of thick, heavy mud, trying to empty her home of it. It took them long hours to complete the job.

When we arrived, her son was sprawled out on the bed sound asleep, exhausted from the hard work. A mouse scurried up the wall and out a hole in the ceiling. There was evidence of the muddy mess everywhere but instead of complaining, Mariquita had a big smile on her face and told us, “I didn’t think you would make it today. I thought the condition of the roads would have kept you away. Thank you for coming!”

Because of all the flooding, the terrain outside Mariquita’s house is now too rough and dangerous for her to walk on since she can’t see. So when she washes her clothes by hand in a bucket, as she is used to doing, she then crawls on her hands and knees dragging the bucket with her until she reaches the clothesline where she hangs her laundry. We are hoping to build her a house in a better location soon .