Thanks for El Cobijo

Dear Friends and Family:

First of all, thank you all for your generosity and caring. We received so many donations and a lot of folks here in San Carlos, and as far away as Alamos (in southern Sonora), brought clothing and food to us. I even have a good friend in Colorado who offered to drive down with a van load of things with no hesitation whatsoever. Thanks Laura. Unfortunately, The Mexican Customs officers wouldn't let in any more used clothing but the gesture was momumental.

I just want to let you know what we have been able to do with the money we received from you. We have bought groceries for the men every week and a lot of Mexican business in Guaymas (the nearest large town) gave us big discounts. We were able to get the freshest fruits and vegetables. It's been wonderful.

The seasons change here in Sonora so it gets cool in the fall and winter. To most people it's winter now; high 70's in the day and 40's and 50's at night. It feels really cold. We were able to buy winter clothes for everyone at Woolworth's in Guaymas (yes, Woolworths is alive and well in Mexico). We also bought sweaters, scarves, gloves and jackets. We've had donations of blankets and sheets, personal items and books. With some of the money we were able to help the head nurse fix her car. It was swept away during the hurricane and floods and it's almost fixed now. The ladies who care for the men make $100 pesos per day (about $12 USD) and put their own needs on the back burner to help the men.

My group consists of me, Kristine Ladau and Bliss Cochrane; good friends of mine here in San Carlos who didn't hesitate to jump in and help. We do this all together and meet all the time to brainstorm. In two weeks the men are moving to a new building that needs a lot of work and we have a lot of donations waiting for that time; bags and boxes full of things for their new home. Currently, they are living in a ladie's retirement home run by nuns and though they are well cared for by their regular staff from Old El Cobijo, they have been asked to move elsewhere.

Probably the best gift of all is that we visit with the men and they are so interesting and wonderful. Some are in pretty good shape, some are blind and deaf. One of our favorites is Demitrius. He has lost part of both legs due to diabetes and complications but he is a character and always smiling. He loves to read. My friend, Nancy Harless (an author) sent me books in Spanish to give to him and he was thrilled. It proves that it's the little things in life that really matter, like your generosity. If I go on much longer I probably will cry. It is amazing and has opened my eyes to a lot of things in life that I didn't see clearly before. You won't see me discounting how good life is any time soon.

Anyway, this is just Chapter One. When they move it will be a new chapter and lots to do. Kristine, Bliss and I are committed to making it all work. El Cobijo also has other donors from time to time. Just last week I received four bags of clothes and a really nice electric heater from someone who had just built a new house - plus some cash. One night a man called me and asked me to meet him down at the Fruteria (the grocery store) and he handed me a wad of cash and said "I'm anonymous" and drove off. It was $3,000 pesos. Amazing. My firend in Phoenix, Chrissy, has a prayer wall that she just built and she prays for the men all the time. I think it helps.

Thank you so much for all you have done. I just wanted you to know what your money and good thoughts have done for El Cobijo. Kristine, Bliss and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Without your help this would not have been possible.

Peace and love,
Jan, Kris and Bliss