CARLA AND HER BOYS

That day was the first time we'd visited with Carla other than stopping to talk to Apolinar. Her three boys, Carlos 15, Rogerio 12 and Julio 9 are friendly likable kids and now there is a fourth boy, Esteban. Carla shyly invited us in and served us steaming bowls of chicken soup and tortillas with chopped serrano peppers and onions. By this time we were hungry and the soup was good.

Apolinar, Carla and the boys live in a one room house about 12' x 14' that was built for them by missionaries. Everything was clean and tidy. There was a double bed on one side, a small sofa and one chair. A small narrow table with a little bench was against one wall. A tiny chihuahua puppy shivered and shook but stayed near Lloyd's feet while we ate. Probably because Lloyd kept giving him little bites of chicken. Already we're beginning to feel that we're part of this family.

Our next stop was to purchase some sand and gravel to be delivered to the church. Carmen, who works at the store was glad to see us. She wants to learn English but can't take off work to attend our classes. So she uses every opportunity to glean a few English words from us. We began giving her lesson pages and now she won't let us leave the store until we go over more English together. Sometimes customers have to wait because she gets so involved. That day she told us she is gaining a lot from our visits and lessons with her. She's beginning to feel like family.

The day wasn't complete until we visited Bardomiendo and his son Ruben who sell jewelry among the tourists near the international bridge. There were a lot of people on the streets but they weren't buying, just looking. Bardomiendo wouldn't let us leave until we promised to come to their house for a meal some time soon.

During the day it became apparent how much we know about these people, the "ins and outs" of their lives, their problems and their concerns. I watched as Carla's boys looked up to Lloyd with respect and little Esteban kept going to him for attention. I listened as later Bardomiendo told Lloyd how pleased he is to know him and how glad that we take the time to stay in touch with them. And I heard him say that Lloyd's name is very good in Nuevo Progreso.

It's a mystery how we came to be such a part of these families, but we know one thing for sure. These are our people.