The saying "It could have been worse" is one my kids dislike. Sometimes we just want to feel bad and not see the good side. Tuesday, December 18th was one day when this statement was very true. We went shopping as a family to San Diego in two cars. We met for lunch and then separated, planning to meet up again in a few hours. Before the planned meeting time we got a call from Daniel, that someone had broken into the Mountaineer. They had tried to pry all four windows, breaking the molding and seals on each, before breaking the driver's side window. They ended up taking only one bag of gifts worth about $50.00, a pliers tool, and two cell phone chargers (the cell phone they left). The good news was that they did not break into the pickup where we had over $500.00 worth of sound equipment for the Prince of Peace church, and other gifts. It was a cold ride home, and cold ride back to San Diego the next day to replace the glass. It began to sprinkle, but never rained hard. The guy, who replaced the glass, also bent the moldings and seals back, so it is presentable until we get them replaced. He did not charge us extra.
That same night, the 18th, we were outside trying to cover the broken window with plastic, because there was a forecast of rain. How many days does it rain in Tijuana? I think Murphy's Law was in effect. While we were outside we smelled smoke, turned to look, and our neighbor's house was on fire. We went over to help, and Scott ended up helping them pull a burning king sized mattress out of the house. Everything left inside was covered with smoke and ash. Fortunately it was a cement brick house and the house itself was not very damaged. While they were fighting the fire they explained how it started.
The two girls, Rosario (9) and Giovanna (5) were inside the house alone when the fire started. Giovanna was asleep on the bed and Rosario was resting, when the father, Javier, decided to run to the corner store for milk. His wife, Claudia, was working that night. He shut the girls inside. His parents and three other married brothers live on the same lot so they sometimes leave the girls alone. While he was gone his youngest brother went outside and saw smoke coming from the windows. He called for help. Javier got there and broke down the door. The bed was on fire. With the smoke he could not see anything. He began to feel the burning mattress trying to find the girls. They were not on the bed. He soon found them on the floor of the bathroom where they were hiding. They were rushed to the hospital where they were treated for smoke inhalation. The doctors only said they were in grave shape and all they could do was wait. By the morning they were doing better. Rosario explained exactly how the fire started; she decided to light the stove to warm the milk her dad was bringing, but couldn't get the stove to light. She carried the burning match to the bedroom where it fell on the bed and began the fire. She pulled her sleeping sister into the bathroom and that is all she remembers.
Javier had burns on both hands and one foot, but neither girl was burned at all. The next day when Javier went in to work to explain why he did not show up on time, he was let go. So now the family was left with big medical bills, a burned house, and no job, as Claudia's job was seasonal and ended that Friday.
But there was a bright side. Javier and Claudia had studied the Bible with us for almost a year. They had both prayed to accept Christ. They loved studying but eventually their work schedules made weekly studies difficult. We encouraged them to attend church and they recognized the need to do so, but because of family pressure and their embarrassment over Rosario's behavior (she is epileptic and developmentally challenged) they only occasionally attended. Javier told us when he saw the flames coming out of the window his first thought was that the girls were dead, he prayed and felt the courage to enter the burning room. While at the hospital they spent lots of time praying, especially after the doctor told them they were both in grave condition. The next day the doctors were surprised at how well the girls responded to treatment. Javier is sure it was a miracle.
As a family, Daniel and Scott's folks included, we spent time helping them to scrub the walls, prime them with a special primer, and paint them. Their two room house looks bright and cheery with a new coat of light blue paint. We were able to provide a bed for them as well. It was not the way we had planned to spend Christmas break, but it was fun to help them and we were blessed as well. Javier, Claudia, and even Rosario wanted to help and work with us. We had lots of opportunity to listen to them tell their stories and encourage them to keep growing in their faith. They did attend church with us on Sunday at Emanuel, which is a block from their house. Pray that they will continue to attend and that their extended family will also show an interest in spiritual things.
That same night, the 18th, we were outside trying to cover the broken window with plastic, because there was a forecast of rain. How many days does it rain in Tijuana? I think Murphy's Law was in effect. While we were outside we smelled smoke, turned to look, and our neighbor's house was on fire. We went over to help, and Scott ended up helping them pull a burning king sized mattress out of the house. Everything left inside was covered with smoke and ash. Fortunately it was a cement brick house and the house itself was not very damaged. While they were fighting the fire they explained how it started.
The two girls, Rosario (9) and Giovanna (5) were inside the house alone when the fire started. Giovanna was asleep on the bed and Rosario was resting, when the father, Javier, decided to run to the corner store for milk. His wife, Claudia, was working that night. He shut the girls inside. His parents and three other married brothers live on the same lot so they sometimes leave the girls alone. While he was gone his youngest brother went outside and saw smoke coming from the windows. He called for help. Javier got there and broke down the door. The bed was on fire. With the smoke he could not see anything. He began to feel the burning mattress trying to find the girls. They were not on the bed. He soon found them on the floor of the bathroom where they were hiding. They were rushed to the hospital where they were treated for smoke inhalation. The doctors only said they were in grave shape and all they could do was wait. By the morning they were doing better. Rosario explained exactly how the fire started; she decided to light the stove to warm the milk her dad was bringing, but couldn't get the stove to light. She carried the burning match to the bedroom where it fell on the bed and began the fire. She pulled her sleeping sister into the bathroom and that is all she remembers.
Javier had burns on both hands and one foot, but neither girl was burned at all. The next day when Javier went in to work to explain why he did not show up on time, he was let go. So now the family was left with big medical bills, a burned house, and no job, as Claudia's job was seasonal and ended that Friday.
But there was a bright side. Javier and Claudia had studied the Bible with us for almost a year. They had both prayed to accept Christ. They loved studying but eventually their work schedules made weekly studies difficult. We encouraged them to attend church and they recognized the need to do so, but because of family pressure and their embarrassment over Rosario's behavior (she is epileptic and developmentally challenged) they only occasionally attended. Javier told us when he saw the flames coming out of the window his first thought was that the girls were dead, he prayed and felt the courage to enter the burning room. While at the hospital they spent lots of time praying, especially after the doctor told them they were both in grave condition. The next day the doctors were surprised at how well the girls responded to treatment. Javier is sure it was a miracle.
As a family, Daniel and Scott's folks included, we spent time helping them to scrub the walls, prime them with a special primer, and paint them. Their two room house looks bright and cheery with a new coat of light blue paint. We were able to provide a bed for them as well. It was not the way we had planned to spend Christmas break, but it was fun to help them and we were blessed as well. Javier, Claudia, and even Rosario wanted to help and work with us. We had lots of opportunity to listen to them tell their stories and encourage them to keep growing in their faith. They did attend church with us on Sunday at Emanuel, which is a block from their house. Pray that they will continue to attend and that their extended family will also show an interest in spiritual things.
