The Ruiz Perez Family
(Agustin y Maria)

Agustin Ruiz Vasquez Maria Perez Gomez 40 38 Alberto Marta Catarina Agustin Siriago Moises 17 15 11 9 6 3

Recent Events and Updates

This has been a miraculous and bountiful year for Maria.  She is now living in her new adobe home with its separate kitchen and clay stove.  She even has a new room specifically for storing grain from last year's successful harvest.  She and her children now have not only enough beans and corn to eat well, but the fruits, vegetables, eggs and poultry which she all now raises on her own garden. Her home is surrounded by turkeys, chickens, ducks, papayas, and new mango and citrus trees. 

Sons Alberto & Moises with Harvested Beans

With this past crop Maria was able fully repay the Agros credits for the last year's seeds, build the new adobe home, and even have some money for the medications and treatments she needs for herself and her family.  She even made a little money to make a couple of trips to prison to visit her husband.

This has been a year of happy farewells for Maria.  Her son Victorio, recently married Micaela, Mariano and Maria's son, and settled into his own new adobe home at the bottom of the village road just before her older son Ricardo's home. Her daughter Ana Maria recently married Pedro, Alberto and Angelina's son, and now lives together with Pedro and his family.  Fortunately, they are all neighbors so she still shes her children every day.

Most of her younger children are in school for their third semester and rapidly learning both Tzotzil and Spanish.  We recently asked them what they want to be when they grow up, and Agustin responded that he wants to become a Pastor, no doubt a product of the family's strong faith and spiritual centeredness.

Maria is a very different women from when we first met her.  We have always been greatly concerned for her mental well being.  But today she is mostly smiles and laughs and brings much happiness to all of us when we see her these days.  She was once one of the most vulnerable women in the village.  Today she is looking forward to income from a second successful crop, and her fist few pesos from her fruit and vegetable crops, as well profits from her blouses once they are ready for market.

We recently received news that her husband, along with the remaining Acteal prisonsers, may bee released within the next two years.  Agros has confirmed that there is a real possibility of this.  Our prayers are with Agustin and Maria.

Immediate Needs and Next Steps

Maria has made so much progress this year but still has a long road ahead of her to fully attain financial independence and security for her children.  They are still vulnerable to health issues, crop failures and issues related to a fatherless home.

Maria's illnesses are costly to treat and she has used up any remaining funds for medical treatment of her illnesses.  She thus has not been able to see Agustin in three months.  Agustin is not doing as well as Miguel and needs her company and her food now more than ever.  They are concerned for his health and wellbeing.

Prayers for the Family

That Agustin may be soon released from prison and be reunited with Maria and their children, and relieve their sons and the community of their burden.

That Agustin’s health may continue while in prison, and that he may use this time of suffering to know the Lord our father and his infinite love, mercy and forgiveness.

That Agustin may know that he is not alone and that he is in our hearts and prayers.

That Maria may receive the funds to visit Agustin fortnightly and maintain and build his spirits, and nourish him with the food that he needs to maintain his health.

That Maria may regain her health, and the Lord may rid her body of her illnesses and the need for expensive medications she cannot afford.

That Maria may continue to climb her way out of depression and find the happiness she so much deserves.

That Maria may continue to rapidly develop her skills with textiles so the she gain the financial independence that she and her family need.

That Maria continue to be a sweet and beautiful inspiration of love and faith and smiles to us all.

Their Journey

Agustin is Jose Ruiz’s younger brother. Arrested following the Acteal massacre, Agustin has been in prison since 1997, along with Miguel Lopez, and his bother Lorenzo.  25 years remain on their sentences.  With her husband in prison, no work, and few remaining ties to Chinalho, Maria followed Jose and Juana to San Pedrito five years ago, to join up with her in-laws Jose and Juana.  Jose built a home for her and her sons provide for her with the little they can.  Maria has suffered from severe arthritis for several years now and up until recently serious depression.