FEATURE STORY Summer 2003

A day in the desert missionary work puts things in perspective

Courtesy

By Goyo López

About two-years ago, Time magazine wrote about the unique border region geographically situated between California and Texas. The highly acclaimed national publication shed light on the creation of almost a third country along the U.S.-Mexico border, which runs for thousands of miles through the southwest region of the United States – including California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

Among the observances by Time magazine was the cultural influences of America on Mexico and vice-versa, creating an atmosphere of a third country sandwiched between the two giants. The business, cultural, social, civic and educational arenas overlap with two or more languages and equally as many customs, rituals and norms.

This is one example of the squalid conditions that the colonia residents endure on a daily basis. The home is built into and underneath the ledge of a giant rock formation.

This is a result of the diverse demographics and the geographic isolation from both countries. However, they omitted one important aspect of this border region – the Catholicism. The Church indelibly weaved its influence into the tapestry of everyday life and the psyche of the inhabitants of this southwest region over the last 250 years. The permeation of our religion ranks as the common denominator of this region, and its effects are evident in the compassionate actions of its people.

It’s just like taking a trip to the desert to help your fellow man – specifically, venturing into the Mexican desert located in the state of Coahuila. On three separate occasions, 59-year-old Dcn. Anastacio Bernal, along with Tirso and Norma Martinez, have travailed the mountains and frontier-like terrain to reach the desolate villages surrounding the town of Musquiz, in the middle of the Coahuila desert. And everything is done in the unselfish spirit of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

One young resident takes a wild ride on a burro as a leisure activity. The luxuries of cable TV and video games are not an option for these residents.

On their most recent expedition, Dcn. Bernal and the Martinez’ were joined by Gilberto Garcia, Jesus Javier Gutiérrez, Dimotila Alcantar, Diana Renteria, VJ Renteria, Beto Quintanilla, Karla Valdovinos and Emmanuel Valdovinos. According to Dcn. Bernal, the Laredo contingent feels an immediate impact upon traveling into the Mexican desert. “Those people live in another world far away from us,” alludes Dcn. Bernal, in a figurative sense. “I’ve never figured out how these people can survive on the other side of the mountains. There is no electricity or portable water. One woman even uses a drum can as a stove.”

The teenage Valdovinos’ were equally affected by the primitive aesthetic conditions, in which many of the Coahuila natives subsist. “We saw life from a totally different perspective,” exclaims 17-year-old Karla Valdovinos. “Going to a such a secluded place makes you understand that nothing in life should be taken for granted.” The United South junior also felt the good in efforts to bring food, water and the word of God to the people of Musquiz. Emmanuel, Karla’s younger 14-year-old brother reflects on the many emotions elicited by such a moving experience.

Children sit on the floor and gather for a communal meal providing by the Laredo missionaries.

Residents of these poor communities share a very primitive outhouse. Some are a good walking distance from anyone’s home.

“I was very happy to be a part of this mission. But at the same time, it gave me great sadness because these people are very, very poor, barely have enough food to eat. They don’t have many clothes, have very little education and they live in dirt (adobe) homes,” Emmanuel laments. “My biggest lesson there was to learn to value and appreciate everything that I have in my life.”

The older participants – like 29-year-old Gilberto Garcia, Jr. and 49-year-old Jesus Javier Gutiérrez – while cognizant of the poverty afflicting those in the desert town, also look introspectively at the reasons for performing this type of charitable work. “I’m grateful that I’ve been able to help my brothers in need,” says Gutiérrez. “I am very conscious that there’s no way I can every repay our Lord for all the blessings in our life. This is simply one grain of sand that I can contribute to help others.”

Garcia echoes his fellow missionary by noting God’s generosity in providing a means or an avenue for the missionaries to assist those in the Coahuila desert. “The one thing that I always remember is just how grand our Lord is in providing us with enough food and water not only for ourselves, but enough to help those who have none,” explains Garcia.

Norma and Tirso Martinez point out that the mission in the desert began in 1985 under the guidance of Msgr. Tom Davis and Father Noel Davis with the support of parishioners at the then San Agustín Church. According to Msgr. Davis, founder of this effort, the inhabitants of 30 towns and villages situated between Musquiz and Ocampo receive assistance. The group traveling into Mexico delivers beans, rice, corn oil, coffee, flour and other basic commodities to the residents of this desolate area. Msgr. Davis added that their collaborative efforts has resulted in more than 1,000 Baptisms, 1,230 First Holy Communion’s and 510 Marriages.

Modified big steel drums serve as wood burning stoves. A rudimentary chimney partially visible in the upper left-hand corner assists in the dispersal of smoke and exhaust

Dcn. Bernal concludes by lauding the generosity reciprocated by the Mexican recipients. “There are only two jobs there. Either you make wax out of the Candelia plant that grows wild in themountains or you work in the mines for about $12 a day. And yet, even then they are willing to share the little that they have with us,” he says. The explanation for their generosity is simple. Give and you shall receive.

	FEATURE STORY Summer 2003
	A day in the desert missionary work puts things in perspective En Español
Courtesy By Goyo López About two-years ago, Time magazine wrote about the unique border region geographically situated between California and Texas. The highly acclaimed national publication shed light on the creation of almost a third country along the U.S.-Mexico border, which runs for thousands of miles through the southwest region of the United States – including California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
Among the observances by Time magazine was the cultural influences of America on Mexico and vice-versa, creating an atmosphere of a third country sandwiched between the two giants. The business, cultural, social, civic and educational arenas overlap with two or more languages and equally as many customs, rituals and norms.	This is one example of the squalid conditions that the colonia residents endure on a daily basis. The home is built into and underneath the ledge of a giant rock formation.
This is a result of the diverse demographics and the geographic isolation from both countries. However, they omitted one important aspect of this border region – the Catholicism. The Church indelibly weaved its influence into the tapestry of everyday life and the psyche of the inhabitants of this southwest region over the last 250 years. The permeation of our religion ranks as the common denominator of this region, and its effects are evident in the compassionate actions of its people.
It’s just like taking a trip to the desert to help your fellow man – specifically, venturing into the Mexican desert located in the state of Coahuila. On three separate occasions, 59-year-old Dcn. Anastacio Bernal, along with Tirso and Norma Martinez, have travailed the mountains and frontier-like terrain to reach the desolate villages surrounding the town of Musquiz, in the middle of the Coahuila desert. And everything is done in the unselfish spirit of our Lord, Jesus Christ.	One young resident takes a wild ride on a burro as a leisure activity. The luxuries of cable TV and video games are not an option for these residents.
On their most recent expedition, Dcn. Bernal and the Martinez’ were joined by Gilberto Garcia, Jesus Javier Gutiérrez, Dimotila Alcantar, Diana Renteria, VJ Renteria, Beto Quintanilla, Karla Valdovinos and Emmanuel Valdovinos. According to Dcn. Bernal, the Laredo contingent feels an immediate impact upon traveling into the Mexican desert. “Those people live in another world far away from us,” alludes Dcn. Bernal, in a figurative sense. “I’ve never figured out how these people can survive on the other side of the mountains. There is no electricity or portable water. One woman even uses a drum can as a stove.”
The teenage Valdovinos’ were equally affected by the primitive aesthetic conditions, in which many of the Coahuila natives subsist. “We saw life from a totally different perspective,” exclaims 17-year-old Karla Valdovinos. “Going to a such a secluded place makes you understand that nothing in life should be taken for granted.” The United South junior also felt the good in efforts to bring food, water and the word of God to the people of Musquiz. Emmanuel, Karla’s younger 14-year-old brother reflects on the many emotions elicited by such a moving experience.

Children sit on the floor and gather for a communal meal providing by the Laredo missionaries.	Residents of these poor communities share a very primitive outhouse. Some are a good walking distance from anyone’s home.
“I was very happy to be a part of this mission. But at the same time, it gave me great sadness because these people are very, very poor, barely have enough food to eat. They don’t have many clothes, have very little education and they live in dirt (adobe) homes,” Emmanuel laments. “My biggest lesson there was to learn to value and appreciate everything that I have in my life.” The older participants – like 29-year-old Gilberto Garcia, Jr. and 49-year-old Jesus Javier Gutiérrez – while cognizant of the poverty afflicting those in the desert town, also look introspectively at the reasons for performing this type of charitable work. “I’m grateful that I’ve been able to help my brothers in need,” says Gutiérrez. “I am very conscious that there’s no way I can every repay our Lord for all the blessings in our life. This is simply one grain of sand that I can contribute to help others.” Garcia echoes his fellow missionary by noting God’s generosity in providing a means or an avenue for the missionaries to assist those in the Coahuila desert. “The one thing that I always remember is just how grand our Lord is in providing us with enough food and water not only for ourselves, but enough to help those who have none,” explains Garcia.
Norma and Tirso Martinez point out that the mission in the desert began in 1985 under the guidance of Msgr. Tom Davis and Father Noel Davis with the support of parishioners at the then San Agustín Church. According to Msgr. Davis, founder of this effort, the inhabitants of 30 towns and villages situated between Musquiz and Ocampo receive assistance. The group traveling into Mexico delivers beans, rice, corn oil, coffee, flour and other basic commodities to the residents of this desolate area. Msgr. Davis added that their collaborative efforts has resulted in more than 1,000 Baptisms, 1,230 First Holy Communion’s and 510 Marriages.		Modified big steel drums serve as wood burning stoves. A rudimentary chimney partially visible in the upper left-hand corner assists in the dispersal of smoke and exhaust
Dcn. Bernal concludes by lauding the generosity reciprocated by the Mexican recipients. “There are only two jobs there. Either you make wax out of the Candelia plant that grows wild in themountains or you work in the mines for about $12 a day. And yet, even then they are willing to share the little that they have with us,” he says. The explanation for their generosity is simple. Give and you shall receive.