Dad, Framing Marcella's Bed
Trip to Cuernavaca
March, 1980
Family friend Duane Schendel asked if any contributors wanted to go to Mexico with him. So Dad Met Duane in Springfield, Illinois, drove all night, crossed the border at Laredo, and continued to Cuernavaca, about 50 miles south of Mexico City. They stayed with the Rodriguez family who still had a daughter at home, and yet had only one bed (which the family offered Dad and Duane for their stay). So Dad built another for the daughter, furnishing the mattress with a pad he had made for Duane's van. The electric supply ran from out the neighbor's window, into the Rodriguez' living room window, to a single outlet in that room. So Dad rewired the rooms so that the family also had an outlet in the kitchen, and no longer had to take the mixer to the living room. Dad offered to buy dinner at the market if Mrs. Rodriguez would fix Sunday dinner. Telling the story, Dad was moved to tears at the generosity of these poor people, because Mrs. Rodriguez bought 2 chicken breasts which she then served to Dad and Duane while the family ate something less expensive. Another day Duane went to the corner grocery store, but didn't return for some time. He had led Norberto, the owner, to the Lord. Norberto later became pastor of the church in Cuernavaca. Ten days later, returning home, Dad and Duane took a "short cut." Arriving at river's edge, they learned that the ferry was powered by an old washing machine motor. It was an adventure.
With Rodriguez Family at Market
Cuernavaca, Mexico
