I send you greetings on this Labor Day Weekend (Dia de Trabajo Fins de Semana). If you are in the United States I hope you are enjoying the holiday and perhaps taking a moment to reflect on what is good in our lives.
BOOK RANT CONTINUED: I made a mistake over the past few days. I took some time to listen and watch various “news” and opinion programs. It is so sad. The talking heads continue to talk about the freedom and “rights” … but only if you are part of their belief group. The “news groups” give us endless reports on religious groups preaching hate and freedom groups preaching totalitarianism. In the United States, never have politicians worked so hard to represent the views … of those who supply them with money. I must stop following the news.
This all came to an ugly head two days ago. I was talking with a woman who lives nearby. I told her I was about to return to Mexico. She asked why. I explained a little about what I have been doing. This is a pretty accurate quote of her response: “I am a Christian who believes we should take care of our own poor children. There are plenty of them in the United States.” I interpreted that to mean that 93% of the children in the world don’t count. I also do not believe that she was speaking for all Christians.
I told her that I felt that each of us should do what we can where our heart takes us. But it seemed to have no effect.
Don't these children deserve help too???
All this was beginning to get me down. Then I remembered YOU! I remember the more than 100 of you who have made my Zihua adventure fun, rewarding, productive. Gosh darn it, together we have made a small part of the world a better place. I will continue to give thanks to all of you through my last day.
LAST CALL: As I wrote earlier, I did not plan to go to Zihua this year to work with Las Joyas (the school). But my replacement, Bill Overman, is under doctor’s orders not to travel, so I have all his gifts and his commitment to journey forth and do it one last time (sorry Javier, but this is it amigo). I leave October 2 for 3 weeks to get the program started. Going to be a big push on English this year. I will get an English program started. A former Mexican teacher will keep it going while I return to the US and then I will pick it up again in January for 2 months.
One last request for assistance. I know times are tough but I am asking once again. I would like to raise at least $300 dollars for school supplies for Las Joyas. Even small amounts help a lot. If you know me and trust me, you can send a donation to me at
Bill Bradley
3650 Morning Star Drive, Unit 2402,
Las Cruces, NM 88011
Also, if you have “clothes with dignity” that you could donate, please send them to me at the same address. Shoes are especially welcome (but no high heels). This year the clothes donations will go to a school fund raiser for school supplies. So check out your closets today! (BTW: Soccer shoes have been our best sellers.)
Las Joyas could use our support. Thank you.
UPDATE ON KAREN: I continue to support Karen on her journey through college at the University of Guadalajara. By my latest count she has received 23 “A’s”, 2 “B’s, and one Pass. Two of those “A’s” came through this just completed summer session. She is now a junior. She has tentative plans to study in the US next summer. That is truly exciting. More on that as I know more. Meanwhile, for those of you who enjoy tracking her progress, here is a list of her classes for this semester:
Statistics II
Cost Accounting
Fiscal Law
Organizational Behavior
Human Resources
Management Audit
Piano (for fun)
Lizbeth, Memo, and Bernabe
OCTOBER: While in Zihua for three weeks I will be splitting my time between working with “my kids” Bernabe and Lizbeth in the mornings (they are both struggling in school) and at Las Joyas in the afternoons. Don’t tell anyone, but I am off for 4-5 days to Guadalajara in the middle of the trip. I hope to see Karen there and maybe get some pictures of her at her school. I will give you a full report when I get back.
Bonus picture: How the poor bathe in Zihua
Thank you for reading this. “Memo”
Hi Tocayo,
“…each of us should do what we can where our heart takes us”.
I have three news for you: (1) You are not the first one, (2) You are not alone, (3) Your work goes beyond Zihuatanejo.
You are not the first one; every great man and woman had always faced rejection from his/her brothers and sisters. Regardless of citizenship, faith, culture and education, most of humans tend to negatively criticize rather than embrace, support and admire the work of others. I am a Catholic, my wife is a Catholic and my kids are Catholics, does this mean that we will never open the door to brothers or sisters from another faith? We always open our door and offer water, we gently mention that our faith is Catholic but we encourage them to continue with their journey and work… there are many lost souls in need. Does this make us less Catholics? Never !, this make us better Catholics and better humans.
You are not alone; I am sure there is many more people getting inspired for your work, each one of them will follow a different way to help, each one of them will follow their own hearts… me one of them.
Your work goes beyond Zihuatanejo; I turn my eyes to every child in Zihuatanejo, some of them may forget your work, but many others will remember you, and one day perhaps they may do something extraordinary beyond Zihuatanejo’s city limits…
Giving without asking in return, helping without looking for greatness or recognition, influencing change not with violence but by becoming an example… Never, ever, let rejection weaken your spirit… rejection is the fuel that intensifies the furnace where our iron turns into steel.
By: Guillermo Gower on September 5, 2011
at 5:33 pm
What a thoughtful reply by Guillermo. I couldn’t agree more.
Bill I share your sadness and outrage at what is going on. I often swear I will not pay attention to the news anymore; especially when I hear “religious” people talking like the “haters” they condemn.
But you will not let that deter you. It won’t deter any of us who see the world as one place. Love and generosity does not know boundaries.
That being said, Bob and I just shipped you a box of clothes and shoes. I hope they will be useful. And look for an envelope in your mail box in the next few days.
The best to you on this continued adventure of good will.
Love, Jeanne
By: jeanne hartley on September 6, 2011
at 8:40 pm