Mexico Children's Mission, Inc.

MOTHER KEEPS HER FAITH IN SPITE OF HEARTBREAKS

    GREGORIA & FAMILY:  We were very glad that we were able to be with Gregoria this trip at the time we were there. It was one of the saddest times we have spent with her. We could tell that Gregoria was very upset and worried.  Only a few minutes after we arrived, Gregoria asked us to pray for Carlos.  Within 5 minutes after we prayed, he quit breathing.  Carlos, her youngest, was 25 years old.

    Every doctor that is familiar with the family was out of town, so we called the Red Cross.  They came and helped with the immediate care of Carlos.  After about an hour, there were several neighbors and friends of Gregoria to care for her and other kids, so we left.  The next day we attended the graveside funeral. 

    In Mexico the custom is to have an all night wake for the deceased and family.  They do not embalm.  The funeral will be held the next day. 

    We visited  Gregoria about three days later. The first thing that Gregoria told us was that the Lord permitted Carlos to wait until we arrived to pray for him before taking him to Heaven.  Without her faith in the Lord Jesus, Gregoria could not survive.

    During this visit, for the first time in 17 years of visiting her, she said that she wanted to ask us a favor.  She ask, “Could you, or any of your friends,  help purchase a headstone for my three boys that are now in an unmarked grave”?  Without any hesitation, we told her that it would be done.  We set a date a few days later when she could get a neighbor to stay with the other kids and we would take her to the cemetery she picked out what she preferred. 

    Gregoria has five children in the cemetery.  Two are in an older grave and the last three that have passed away are in the newer grave site.  Their grave now has on it a cross and a 2” X 14” X 30” plaque with the three boys names and dates listed.  The grave extends above the ground about 4 feet and has a smooth concrete finish.  It is painted white and looks very attractive.

   Gregoria has three remaining children.

Jaime, age 41, is bedridden and his joints are almost ridged.  He is not much more than skin and bones.  Tomasa, age 32, is either bed ridden or has to be helped to set in a chair or wheelchair.  Miguel, age 29, can still walk, but requires assistance to keep from falling. 

    Gregoria’s husband still is a determent to the family’s welfare.  Earlier, he received money from his family to buy grave markers for the two prior son’s graves, but he spent it on himself.

To view photo, click on inset:  Gregoria and Tamasa in their home 

Gregoria'a Life Becomes More Difficult

 

Gregoria's family consists of:  Jamie, age 40; Tomasa, age 31; Migual, age 28; and Carlos, age 24.  None of these children can speak, Jamie & Carlos are totally bedridden, and the other two can only walk with assistance.  The health, of all her children, is deteriorating at an alarming pace.  Jamie was very sick with pneumonia when we arrived.  The doctor had been there the night before we arrived and prescribed $300.00 worth of medication.  The medication, along with Prayers, returned  the kids to reasonably good health. Gregoria, when we arrived in September, was down in her back and could not lift anything.  This coupled with having an alcoholic & abusive husband puts her in a very difficult situation.

   In addition to all of Gregoria's family problems and her bad back, she has heart problems and is border line diabetic.  We are able to continue to provide all of Gregoria's medical expense and a large portion of the families total food needs.  Please include Gregoria and her family in your prayers.  also, pray that somehow the Lord could touch her husband's heart and he could become a positive force in the family.

Click on insets to enlarge: Left is Jamie, & on Right is Gregoria & Migual

Gregoria's Life is Very Difficult

                          Gregoria's family consists of 4 children, namely:  Jaime, age 40,  Tomasa, age 31, Migual, age 28, and Juan Carlos, age 24, and her alcoholic and abusive husband.  The health of all her children is deteriorating at an alarming pace.  Tomasa, who in the past has been a big help for Gregoria has deteriorated to the point that she can hardly feed herself.  Migual, also is getting to the point that he continually falls and hurts himself. Jaime’s physical condition has deteriorated to the point that he is totally bedridden.  Carlos is holding his own, but is still totally bedridden and unable to communicate. 

     The family’s monthly medical expenses have varied from a low of $55.00 to a high of over $315.00 per month over the past year. The monthly average is over $175/mo. As the Lord continues to supply, we are able to provide the families total medical needs and at least 75 to 80% of their total food requirements. 

. 

Please pray for Gregoria and her kids. Also, that her husband would come to know the Lord and become a positive force in the family.

Inset on Left:  Migual, age 28, Tomasa, age 31, Jaimie, age 40 and Gregria.

Inset on Right: Juan Carlos, Gregoria's youngest son age 24.

Click on insets to enlarge

Mother Beats all Odds

Gregoria Gallegos, and her 4 handicapped children live in Matehuala, Mexico. We first met this family in 1990. Gregoria lived in a small three room house with no inside bathroom facilities. She had 6 severely handicapped children and an abusive alcoholic husband. In 2001 her eldest son, Ernesto, age 41, passed away and in November of 2002, Padro 29 years old passed away. Gregoria’s four remaining children’s health seems to be deteriorating at an alarming fast pace. Gregoria has certainly been through a lot in her lifetime, and things don’t seem to get any better. I believe that the only way that she survives with her sanity is the fact that she knows the Lord and He sees her through each day.

We have an ongoing relationship with a pharmacy were Gregoria can sign for and pick up her total family medical needs. The pharmacist allows us to then pay the bill once a month. Her monthly medical bill varies between $35.00 and $215.00, with an average of about $125.00. Because of the generosity of our supporters, we are able to furnish about 80% of the families needs. They have a new room, a new bathroom with running water, a solar hot water system, and new furniture.

Gregoria is a tremendous mother and witness . She literally runs a children’s hospital with no income.

Photo: Gregoria Gallegos with two of her children and her new washing machine.