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| The view from across the stree where I live. |
I am a very
blessed man. This time of year when people often spend the Holidays with family,
two friends of mine, both married, thought of me being here alone in Mexico.
Palir is a Mormon and she took me out to dinner with her sister Christmas day
and we had a delicious ham dinner. The other lady, Rosie is a Catholic and she
brought me a complete turkey dinner on a plate the next day, including a side
salad and two dinner rolls. I am so glad that Christ’s love goes beyond
religious barriers. I have asked the Lord to bless these two ladies and others who
have chosen to honor me this past year.
A few
days later, I was also invited to celebrate New Year Eve with the Lopez’s
family along with friends at their home church. I went to it last years and had
a wonderful time celebrating Jesus in song, worship and a late night dinner. So
I was really looking forward to it again; it started at 9pm. Since I knew I
would be going to Guaymas that night I decided to give Maria, a little 60 year
old Spanish grandmother, (not even 5 feet tall) a ride home. She normally took
the bus from San Carlos. I had given her some money a few times in the past,
but she couldn’t speak any English. Later, I learned she works 11-9pm, seven
days a week at a small restaurant where I starting having one taco; two or
three times a week. (These tacos are nothing like what you get at Taco Bell. These
tacos are made with a soft flat flower tortilla. Then pilled with chopped
steak, which you can then add on top whatever you want; shredded cabbage,
lettuce, and onions and a variety of sauces, but no cheeses. Plus they offer
chilies and Bar-b-qued leeks along with coleslaw, cucumbers, jalapeno peppers, pickles
and peppers and more all for 20 pesos,-$1.70. The owner there calls me “taco
man” even thought I told him what to do in Mexico.) Anyway, Maria makes less
than fifty cents an hour, so I thought it would be nice to give her a ride home
for a change, plus she likes me because I’ve helped her.
She got
off a little early that night along with a co-worker so I gave them both a ride
home, but the co-worker only lived about four miles away. However, Maria lived
on the far side of Guaymas, about ten miles further and another mile off the
main bus route and up a steep hill. When I parked on the hill, in front of her
small house, I push down the emergency brake which I had not had to use in a
long time. Then we walked up big stone steps to a dark house, but when she
opened the door there were lights on and a pretty Christmas tree all light up.
Her son and his wife and small toddler was there and another friend who all
warmly greeted me. They were all very kind and friendly, but none spoke English.
I sat on an old worn-out sofa next to a small cat nursing her four kittens, for a little while and watch
the child play with kittens. Then I told
them that I need to go to my other friend’s party at the church. They said
good-bye and happy New Year.
When I
got in the van I started it and then pulled the emergency brake release handle,
but the red warning brake light remained on and I could hardly move, because
the brakes had not released. I pulled the lever again, but nothing happened. I
could barely move forward or back and now I was stuck in the middle of the
street, on a steep hill, and in a strange neighborhood. I didn’t know what to
do, so I prayed for help and peace of mind. Then some young men came by as others
gather as I tried to figure out what to do. I couldn’t spend the night on this
hill, so I reach down underneath and found that the cable had come off the
lever, but I had no flashlight to see where to connect it back on. Then Maria’s
son came out and he had his cell phone in his hand with the light on. So he
gave it to me and I was able to see as I reattach the cable, but it still wouldn’t
release until I finally pulled on the brake lever itself with my hand, and then
the brakes released with a quick jerk forward. Thank God the van was still in Park.
I thanked her son and offered some money, but he refused. So I thanked him
again and left, feeling a great relief from that awful situation, thanking God
repeatedly.
I
arrived at the celebration at 9:40 and didn’t miss anything. There were about
thirty people and I had a great time and played some games. Then we had a
chicken dinner with a roll, lots of chips and salsa which I really enjoyed. At mid-night there were a
few fireworks; then we all hugged and kissed on the cheeks then some of the
young people took turns singing worship songs karaoke-style. I was the first to
leave there at 1am, very tired, but relived to be able to drive home, I was
able to fix the brake problem the next morning.
New
Year’s Day, was a very quiet; most places were closed and I just enjoyed time
with my Heavenly Father. I watch a movie that night and then decided to still
take a walk at 9:30pm. After I left the house, I noticed a young lady sitting at
the bus stop nearby, waiting to go home, I said, hola and she gave me a
friendly smile and said, “hola,” and I continued walking thinking that was nice
of her. However, when I returned about a half hour later she was still sitting
there along with a man standing near-by. I told her she had been there a long time
and she agreed. I sat next to her and asked if she spoke any English and she
shook her head and said no. But she point to the man and said he did. So I talk
to him and wait with them for about 15 more minutes, but there was no bus
coming. He even tried to hitch-hike a ride, but no one would stop. They both
live in Guaymas. I was tired, and it was late and I didn’t really want to make
a third trip into Guaymas in three days, but I offered them a ride, if they
wanted one. They were surprised, but happily agree. I told them I would be back
in a few minutes. The man got in the back and gave her the passenger’s seat. As
we drove I played my Spanish worship music, but he want to talk so I turn the
music down so I could understand him and his questions. I learn his name was
Carlos and he was 35 years old, and the pretty young lady was Sheyla; she was
24, and they each had brothers and sister. They also both worked at the same
place and he was a chief at a restaurant across the street and they were very
busy that day. While I was driving, she was holding a large white Styrofoam take-home container in
her lap. I asked if that was her dinner. She said,” yes.” Then she offered
it to me and I said, “No thank you,” thinking it was just some left-over’s. But
then they said they wanted to take me to dinner the next day to show their appreciation, but again I said
no thank you. I told him they didn’t have to do that, I was just glad to be
able to help them. But, then she offered the container to me again. So I asked to see what I was turning down, when she opened it I could
not believe what I saw. There were three large shush-kabobs on top of some
other meat (four nice slices of pork loin roast), a big pile of seasoned potatoes and a large salad with a small
container of house dressing. Carlos said that he had made it for her. I told
him I would only receive this meal, if he would make her another one; which he
agreed. I dropped then off in town where some friend would meet them. I got hugs
and thanks, and they said I was a very good friend. Wow, another wonderful
unexpected blessing; Happy Meals from God.
