Three Mexicans and a Couple of Gringos in a Ford Van

Brad and I were the first of our disaster response team to ride in Victor’s 1987 Ford Custom van and we’re not quite agreed on whether or not it had a bumper sticker reading ”Say what they will, I’m still with Lopez Obrador.”

It certainly should have!

Victor’s reply to his friend Raul’s needling about who really got elected was always the same: “The legitimate president of Mexico!”

It was Day 5 of our trip to Tabasco State when a local church paired our medical team with Victor, Raul and Alejandro. We were in for a real treat. Just when their good natured jousting about the controversial elections had died down, Raul would deliver some little comment in a sing-song way, almost musical.

Or Alejandro would launch his musical tribute to a popular Mexican drink, pozol. Affecting operatic tones, he’d sing “OH POZOL MIO . . . “

So somewhere between Pavoratti and the cartoon character, Speedy Gonzalez, their story was told to us. They’d made the trip from Mexico City to Villahermosa, presenting documents about their humanitarian work at tollbooths to speed them on their way to flood victims. Arriving after a dozen or so hours in the Ford laden with foodstuffs and pure water, they later ferried us around. We had flown in about the same time from Ecuador.

The van was classic, with crush velvet (orange) interior, ONE captain’s chair seat in the back, and a back door that not only did not close properly but also let water pour in when it rained. The following day one of our docs stated flatly, “You couldn’t create a better situation for carbon monoxide poisoning.”

In caravan, our vehicles made their way to ranchlands surrounding Villahermosa. While our physicians met patient needs, Raul, Victor and Alejandro distributed supplies to grateful people who had lost everything in flood waters. Laying hands to other tasks as well, Alejandro, a weightroom trainer, helped with children’s ministry and advised on specific muscular or skeletal problems. We worked together for several days.

There are difficulties with a emergency medical response trip to a disaster zone. But when I think of our three friends in that 20-year-old van, I remember the trip fondly.

And I smile.

==========

Story of the help provided to flood victims in Tabasco State as reported in World magazine. Please click here.

===== + ===== +

Three Mexicans and a Grand Rapids gringo sing a bit of “Cielito Lindo” complete with finale of simulated pistol shots. Click here.