A Texan family renowned for their tireless mission to feed Mexican children is taking a relaxing break in Central Alberta.
Maria and Jesus Ruiz and their children — Elizabeth, 21, and Jesus Jr., 14 — were invited by Bentley Community Church to spend a week at the church’s expense. Their first visit to Canada is much deserved.
For 14 years, Maria has made regular 45-minute treks from her home in El Paso, Texas to help less-fortunate children living on the outskirts of Ciudad Juarez, a Mexican city directly across from El Paso. Juarez, deemed the world’s murder capital of the world due to an escalating drug war, experienced at least 2,600 killings in 2009 alone.
Maria feels she’s been called by God to do this work. In 1996, she was shocked to discover her aunt was living in extreme poverty in the Juarez neighbourhood of Colonia Tierra Nueva II. Her aunt told her not to worry, but added, “if you want to help somebody, go to the school.”
Maria’s heart broke when she saw the dilapidated school without bathrooms, running water or electricity. She returned and told her husband, who offered his entire pay cheque to buy oranges, apples, bananas, Twinkies and little sweet breads. On that first day, she served more than 1,200 children.
“You should have seen the smiles on these kids’ faces,” said Maria.
The school administrator then asked if Maria would like to start a feeding program. As Maria walked back to her vehicle, she prayed about what to do. Moments later, two women walking on the street approached her and said, “Mam, we don’t know you, why you are here, but we were wondering through you if a feeding program could be established?”
She returned a week later with donated food that she cooked at home. For three and a half years, the family served food to about 1,200 children each day. When concerns around Y2K computer problems surfaced in 1999, donations from El Paso businesses dropped off.
“It expanded our vision — we asked for property from the Mexican government and they gave it to us,” said Maria.
The Ruiz family is now building an orphanage for 100 children, plus a community kitchen to feed 500 children at a time, as well as a trade school. While building construction is underway, they continue to serve about 300 to 400 children outside on Saturdays. The school she visited in 1996 is just up the hill.
The Ruiz family take special precautions because of the drug violence, including only travelling during the day and praying for God’s protection.
Blessings have come to this hardworking family. Maria Ruiz was named one of the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2008, and shortly after Extreme Makeover: Home Edition came calling in 2009. The house was demolished and a new one was built with a large commercial kitchen, plus a family kitchen.
The Ruiz family is also grateful for their growing relationship with Bentley Community Church. The small church has assisted in the building of three schools over the last 10 years and used to take several truckloads of clothing into Juarez, until the border was shut down to their cause. Pastor Greg Rathjen got a hold of the Ruiz family, who has since delivered clothing from the church. In June, church board members travelled to Juarez to celebrate the first Grade 12 graduation class of 12 students.
“While the board was there, we met the Ruiz family and asked if we could bring them to Canada for a holiday,” said Rathjen. “We wanted to give them a break because they are overwhelmed with such a need.”
The Ruiz family vacation included shopping, golfing and a trip to Banff. They return home on Wednesday.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com