VISITING APOLINAR

Apolinar and his daughter Cynthia

Today we visited the home of Apolinar and Carla, two of our long time friends in Nuevo Progreso. Esteban, Javier and Cynthia ran out to meet us and to help us out of the car. Very mannerly and helpful, they asked if they could carry anything for us. Of course, they know we always bring them treats.  This time it was spicy popcorn.

Apolinar is doing well. He has completely recovered from his accident many years ago when he was almost electrocuted while working near a telephone pole downtown. While painting a building, he came in contact with very high voltage and was burned over much of his body. He was taken to a hospital in Monterrey where he remained in a coma about two weeks. Then it took months for him to completely recover and about 2 years before he could go back to work.

While in a coma, Apolinar said he had visions of heaven and of angels ministering to him. The visions were beautiful, he told everyone he met about what he saw. Now he works almost constantly to make a living for his large family. Carla makes tacos and atole (a warm drink made of cornmeal, milk and sugar) for Apolinar to sell to truckers who are waiting in long lines to cross the international bridge. He also has pigs, a small flock of sheep and is beginning to raise rabbits for food. Today he had purchased 40 watermelons from truckers and planned to sell them in the market place for a profit.

Cynthia and Javier

It was good to see Rogelio again. He had spent two years in prison for something we never did quite understand. And there was Julio now grown and handsome. Julio was six years old when he first approached us while we ate ice cream in a local convenience store.  We've been friends ever since!

Javier was quick to take my hand and assist me into the house. I had a faithful and ready helper from that time on. Cynthia was a little more timid, but soon warmed up to us. They both love to have their picture taken.

The whole family had been ill, fever and heavy coughing especially at night. We made a stop at the store to purchase cough medicine and vapor rub for them. Rogelio and his wife Perla lost a 2 year old child several years ago to the flu.

When we asked directions to another friend's house, Apolinar volunteered to ride along and show us the way. Javier and Cynthia begged to go with us and sat with me in the back seat. Along the way we learned that they love to fish. They asked their father again and again if they could go fishing today. He said maybe tomorrow.

It's a miracle that Apolinar survived the terrible accident. We love to see that he and his family are thriving, making a good living and having good times together. Many people prayed for him through the crisis. He still gives God the credit for his amazing recovery. Now faint scars on his exposed neck and hands are still visible to prove that he took a spiritual journey into the hereafter and returned.

"And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased."  John 6:2