Aside from this important function as Official Las Lomitas Gringo, I did very much enjoy catching up with everyone. Especially Erick and the next-door neighbors. While shooting the breeze, some interesting similarities between the two households became apparent.
- Each of them had a son try to emigrate to the United States only to be caught and returned. One caught in Mexico, tossed on bus and shipped back. The other enjoyed 20 minutes of freedom in the US before being captured, detained, and returned via plane..
- There were still piles of people there. Between the two tiny houses, 23 people living within a few meters of my house. Mrs.A's brood wins with a baker's dozen.
- They each had done a little construction work. Details in the captions below.
The night that I arrived in Las Lomitas, Mrs.A arrived after dark at my front door in her fashion, as I had experienced so many dozens, if not hundreds, of times before. Always asking for permission to enter with her soft "Permiso," the door already opening. She enters, beaming her radiant smile, hands occupied by a plate full of piping-hot food. One of her twelve children on her heels always has the drinks. In the dim light at the plastic table, she carefully places the food - covered by another plate to keep it hot and safe from flies. She smiles, bids me a good night, and leaves as silently and quickly as she came. Ten seconds later, I hear her kitchen door shut for the night, having fed the largest and whitest of her children.
The only variable in her routine is what is under the plate. Boiled yuca? Fried chicken? Eggs and isote flower covered by tortillas? Fresh fish from the lake? Usually its a surprise, but that night I knew it could only be one thing. She knows me, and knows what I love. As sure as rain, that night I uncovered an especially large portion of my favorite Mrs. A meal - pastelitos de carne. On my first night and last night in Las Lomitas, I enjoyed lovingly-prepared fresh pastelitos.
The Sanchez family is not a project for us. The Sanchez family are not just neighbors to us. The Sanchez family are not just souls to be won. They are people. People that grow, suffer, learn, share, and love. Together with them, we grow. Together with them, we learn. Together with them, we are all understanding a little more about what the love of Christ looks like.
One week in Las Lomitas. Alive and well.
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