Carmen's house

About a year ago I asked Carmen if we could have supper at her home with some professors that were visiting the mission. She said, 'sorry, but no', because she was too embarassed to have visitors over. If it were to begin to rain, she's be embarassed by all the rain that would come dripping through the roof. Her family was in the process of building a new house- laying block walls around the old ones, and were planning to push the old house in once the new one was constructed over the top. In this way, they could utilize the old floor and interior walls.

A few days ago I stopped in to see Carmen and her family. I didn't notice at first, because we were sitting out in the yard, but Carmen pointed out that her house has been finished! The walls still need empañete (when they smooth cement over it) and paint, but they're so happy to have a roof that doesn't leak.

Carmen said that she gives thanks to God for giving her such a good husband, who sacrificed to finish the house. She said that he does have his faults (he is an alcoholic), but she's thankful that at least he was able to do this for their family.

I've often wonderred about Carmen's marriage. She and her husband have been together for many years. She believes that he will always be an alcoholic. She says that he really is a good man, and when he's drinking he's not himself. Sometimes I wonder if this is a good or bad thing. It's amazing that she has learned to love a person, accepting all his faults. Yet, it's sad that she has had to accept something that has been damaging to her and her family and in some ways it seems that in accepting it, she has lost hope that the situation will ever changing.

The picture above shows Titi, Carmen's granddaughter, in front of the house.