LIFTING BURDENS, INC.

P.E.T. MEXICO-REYNOSA

 

Jorge puts together P.E.T.s given to us by a Mexican Methodist Church Affiliate in Progresso, MX

for delivery.

We are ready to give "the gift of mobility to one of the least of these".

Simon, our neighbor, first lost the use of one leg because of Diabetes.  He developed a sore on his good

leg and tried to cure it with lemon juice and other home remedies but maggots set in and he needed

to have the second one amputated. 

Simon tries to figure out how to best get on his P.E.T. while his son, Simon and Jorge help.

Once Simon got the hang of his cart, he takes his grandson, Jesusito, to the store. 

Brigido, young Simon's father-in-law, has also lost his leg to diabetes.  He was suffering from depression

and feeling bad that he was not able to provide for his family.  Now he is making plans to put small

items in the section at the back of his P.E.T. and go to the market to sell them.

This is Arnulfo, Brigido's brother.  He lost both legs to diabetes as well.  A farm owner has given him a

job of watchman at his tool shed.  Arnulfo had a wheelchair but couldn't get around outside due to the

mud. 

Arnulfo getting the hang of the P.E.T. pedaling and steering

Maria Lourdes lives out in farm country as well.  She was recommended for a P.E.T.

by her neighbor, Arnulfo.  Maria Lourdes told us about all the times she burns

herself when she tries to move her wheelchair across a short distance to her

son's home to get her breakfast and lunch while her husband works. She has

difficulty carrying her coffee and soups back to her table.

Tears come and she says, "Gloria a Dios" (Glory to God)  Now her coffee and soup will be able to

sit on the floor of her cart.

Romana was 8 months pregnant when we were introduced to her.  One of our

neighbors worked to buy her a wheelchair but due to the mud, she

couldn't get around very well.  Romana fell from a tree when she was 7 years old

and could not receive medical help because there was no money.  She lost

the use of her legs from her knees down and as an adult, got around by "walking" on

her knees.  She is one happy lady. 

Jorge jokes about her driving.  When we left Romana with her P.E.T., she

was trying to figure out how she would be able to tuck her new baby in the

back of the cart and take her to the market when she goes to sell sausage.  God got the

glory once again...as He has in all cases of P.E.T. deliveries.

Romana received her P.E.T. the first part of December.  On March 14th we made a follow-up visit.

Her new baby has arrived (January 1st), a little girl.  She is one happy momma.  She told us

about how they mistreated her at the hospital because she was handicapped.  Soon after birth,

a lady came by and offered to buy her baby. 

She continued to thank us and God for her P.E.T. and asked Jorge if he could fix the front brake for her.

She had lost the spring and had wired it together but the brake was not returning causing her to have

to work harder to pedal.  She has not been able to be out and about since the baby was born so she

is struggling to pay her bills.  She owes the neighbor rent for two months and she goes

without because she tries to save everything for the baby.  We have purchased some diapers, baby

wipes, some baby bottles and taken in rice and beans.  We want to buy her a pouch to see if

she can still get around on her P.E.T. without the baby interferring with her steering.  If it works,

she will be able to get back to making sausage and income will begin again to help pay her bills.

 

Lifting Burdens, Inc. has been accepted as a P.E.T. affiliate.  We are P.E.T. Mexico-Reynosa. 

Jorge has begun the process of ordering parts, metal, wood and is eager to get started.  Larry Hill,

from P.E.T. Florida-Penney Farms is shipping us some machines that they are no longer using

at their plant and some parts that we need.  Some of the parts we will need to purchase in the

States.  Others we are hoping to buy here in Reynosa.  You will probably hear us shooting

for joy when we build our first P.E.T.