Graduation

This has been an extremely exciting week for CHI as well as Paty and us. Paty has graduated from high school and been enrolled in college to become a lawyer. She was so very excited, almost beside herself. She questioned Malena, the Mexican director of CHI all week, asking if we were going to be there. Malena put her off as long as possible and had to finally admit that we were going to attend her graduation ceremony. We were the only ones, along with Betsy Chicon, American director, and Bob Steele, Chairman of the Board who attended from the American side. It is really quite dangerous to travel to Reynosa, as the battling cartels are becoming much more disruptive and unpredictable in their struggle to become the dominant drug lords. It is easier for Betsy to keep track of just one van and a few people rather than numerous vehicles and lots of folks. We saw no problems whatsoever – if we did not know that there was danger it seemed like a lovely quiet day in Reynosa. Until things settle down a bit, CHI won’t allow any teams or large groups of people to travel to Reynosa even though CHI vans are highly regarded there. Lots of good work to be done on the American side of the border.

It was a truly nice ceremony with many graduates – some from the special accelerated high school (Paty’s class), to those only taking Saturday lessons (mostly older folks getting advanced degrees) and of course, the college graduates. Two of the Tias from the refuge as well as our Canadian intern, Alex, were also in attendance for this wonderful day. Paty’s mother, along with Paty’s two sisters, Lupe and Sonia, who we previously sponsored, were there. It was a bittersweet time, as we saw the girls again after few years, sad because they did not stay at the home to continue their education. Lupe left two years ago and now has a son, Sonia left 4 years ago and is now pregnant, due in November. Our hearts breaks for these lovely girls whose life could have been so much different. They seem happy and were really glad to see us, just as we were to see them.

Part of Paty's entourage

                   Three sisters - Lupe, Paty, and Sonia

this is the school where Paty graduated from and also the college where will attend college


a bit nervous before graduation

receiving her diploma

she looks so proud

a great accomplishment for Paty - she has to really study hard


Her mother is equally proud

she looks great

Malena and Betsy - all are so proud


Paty's cheering squad -

After the ceremony, a few of us went to eat in Reynosa at VIPS, sort of the Mexican equivalent of Denny’s. We needed Betsy to translate for us, and after hard decisions were made, we placed our order. The food was absolutely excellent – true Mexican food and not the Tex-Mex that is served here in the states. We were all so very full, but as this was Paty’s special day, she ordered strawberry cheesecake. The waitress brought it with a handful of spoons – thinking Paty was going to share. Nope – no way was Paty going to let any else enjoy her special dessert We all laughed at that, as we did not want to anyway.

we gave Paty a pearl necklace - her birthstone

                                  fresh fruit - my favorite - I could have had cottage or yoghurt on it also

 

my selection - sort of an egg and veggie plate, so very good

Paty loves meat

every dish was different - we should have just tasted from each of them!

leaving VIPS fully satisfied

Paty back at her Casa with the flowers from her family

We got a call this week as someone had some love seats and recliners they wanted to donate. These were not new, some needed a bit of cleaning, so we said we would take them. As we were delivering the produce Friday prior to picking up the furniture, we mentioned thy we had more pickups to do. Brenda, whose property the Caring Hearts Ministry building is on mentioned that she need a couch. God is so amazing - He knew before we did that someone was just waiting for the new to them couch.  Ida took the rest of them, as she will soon hear of others who need them. God works that way!!!

We discussed another church clichés in this morning’s service. “God needed another angel”. No matter what people think, Christians do die. Death is a reality. God needed another angel seems to indicate that God took our loved one from us for His own purposes. Does the Bible really say that?? Of course not. Could God have saved that loved person if He chose to do so?? Death disturbs us – our lives are no longer shared with that person. What we try to do to those who are disturbed by death is to give them a sense of calmness and peace. Death also disturbs God. When Lazarus died, God wept. Death disturbs God’s plan which was in the beginning that we did not die. The wages of sin are death – because we (and Adam and Eve) sin, we die. Why are we grieving someone God could have saved? We don’t know why. God did not take your loved one so it is ok to be sad, angry, or confused. God is crying too because it was also His son or daughter who died.

I often wonder what words I can use to console someone who lost a loved one – what if I say the wrong thing, or make that person more sad or angry? The best policy I have found is to quietly say I am sorry for your loss and let that person do the talking.