why we're here

so it's been about a week now that we've been here (in rocky point).  it's such a different life down here.  so many people living with so little and who are in such great need.  i was a little surprised at how much criticism we got about coming down here to help.  people told us that there are tons of people in the united states that need help, so why would we go down to help people mexico.  that's a good question... we just met a family down here a few days ago, and their story is unbelievable.  what they've gone through, what's been done to them just breaks my heart and brings me to tears.  the family consisted of a mom, dad and four children.  the parents were both killed in a car accident, leaving the children to take care of themselves.  the oldest sister was 20, the oldest brother 16, and the two younger brothers were 8 and 3.  the oldest brother had made it to new york and was working as bus boy in a restaurant.  he was doing very well making money for his family, but his sister, who was left with the younger boys was getting really depressed and even suicidal.  so he left new york to go back to his family.  he and his sister worked hard to save up their money so they could all move to the states.  $5,000 is what they had saved up to pay the "coyotes" to get them across the border.  after giving these "coyotes" their money, they (the "coyotes") kidnapped the youngest brother, who at the time was just a little toddler, and knocked out the sisters teeth.  they demanded the rest of their money, and after getting it, left the four young, innocent children stranded in the middle of the desert.  they were completely helpless, and cast aside as if their life was of no value.  how anyone can look at the sweet faces of these children, beat them, take all they have, and then leave them to die in the desert is beyond me.   they went 3 days without food or water before they reached the main highway that leads from the border into rocky point.  and thankfully, by the grace of god, these caring tourists stopped to pick them up.  they then spent the next couple months living out of their car and selling little souvenirs on the streets of rocky point.  clearly these children had to grow up way too fast.  their story ends well, and better than most here in mexico.  the two younger boys are going to school and helping out at the families little gift shop, the oldest sister helps manage a cleaning service, and they're living in a safe little apartment in town.  though i've known them only a few days, i already consider them my friends, and i care for them deeply.  this is only one story of one family here in puerto penasco.  sadly i know there are many more.  and yes, it's true, there are people here just waiting for a hand out, but it's also just as true that there are many who are doing all they can to survive and still desperately needing help.  we are here for those people.