The Pig Family

The family with the pig

In a place where it seems everyone's name is Carlos, Jose, Maria, Sandra, Perez, Lopez, Hernandez, or Valesquez, etc., it's difficult to remember the names of people.  We visited a couple of families recently  and later I asked Chris about a certain one.  He didn't know who I was talking about and I didn't know their names so I said "The family with the pig living in their house....the pig family". From here on out, they will be known to us as such.  We also have "The Tree House Family" because they live a little ways out of town, up on the side of the mountain, in the woods.  Being there reminded us of being up in a tree house.  There was "The Plastic House Family" because they lived in a home made of plastic.  Sometimes the reference is funny and sometimes not.

This couple, Paulina and Casimiro,  live in a home/area with one of their sons, their daughter and grandson. They sleep on their only bed and Paulina and Casimiro sleep on the floor.  This is one of the roughest homes we have seen - made out of sheets of lamina with gaps at the top where the cold air blows in and probably rain too, dirt floors and of course, the pig right in their cooking area with a few chickens.  Do you know how dirty pigs are?  If not, check out Google because if I go into those details I would be talking inappropriately and I tell my boys not to do that.  It's disgusting, not to mention a health hazard. He's not their only hazard though.  There are the elements they are exposed to and they cook over an open fire on the floor.  Just from meeting this couple, you can tell life has been hard for them and they struggle to get by.  They have a son and his family who live next to them in a small, two-room concrete house.  We have seen this before - kids and their families live "inside" while the older parents basically live "outside".

pila where they wash

the pig 

their stove

where they sleep

their son, daughter and grandchildren

their granddaughter 

guys from Church on the Way bringing food

great guys from Church on the Way

Difficult story but it has a happy ending....they are getting a new home - thank you Church on the Way.  Can't wait to post the update!  The gift giving season is upon us and this family will receive one that will change the way they live and put a little hope in their hearts.