“O God, you are my strength.”

Psalm 18.

Fifteen hundred families came via many bus lines or on foot from the hills and dumps of Tijuana, Mexico to attend an early morning Mass in very cold weather. Humble men and women stood in line for hours to receive a bag of beans, rice, oatmeal, sugar, tuna, canned milk, fruit, and instant coffee. A breakfast of cocoa and hot cinnamon buns was served to those waiting in the long line to receive the gifts.

The patio was decorated for Christmas and a live manger scene was created by bringing two or three animals from the City of Mercy Mental Hospital in Rosarita Beach.  Continue reading

Jesus is the Face of the Poor

“She cried so much for the gratitude she felt to God.”

“Mrs. Maria L., 29 years old, came to the Casa some days ago and was very nervous and in anguish. She could hardly explain what was happening to her. She is married to Juan who works as a mechanic and earns 1800 pesos ($100) a week. They have an 11-year-old son in the 6th grade and a daughter in the 2nd grade. The daughter suffers from epilepsy, and they have no medical insurance. She was receiving treatment in a mental health hospital in Tijuana. On their last visit, they were told that because of some hospital changes, it was decided to stop treatment to children with certain disabilities.” Continue reading