A couple
of years ago an old college friend called. Bernie
Roland wanted to know if I was interested in flying
with him to Guachochi, Mexico, to shoot video. Bernie
briefed me about this small community high in the Sierra
Madre. They were flying small, private planes into its
short dirt airstrip located at 8,000 feet, halfway
between Mexico City and the Texas boarder. The Copper
Canyon was just a few minutes away.
This is
an area I've always wanted to go to. Jack Emery had
recruited Bernie to help the Arvada Rotary Club with their
humanitarian effort. Bernie explained the trip and I
eagerly signed on.
Over the last
decade, Jack Emery and his wife Peg have made a
significant impact on Guachochi, Mexico. They and other
Rotarians have brought free eyeglasses and other medical
care to that region. In addition, the Emerys have
raised funds to bring Guachochi a badly needed fire and
trash truck. They plan to acquire a school bus in the near
future.
Among those
inspired by the Emerys is Dr. Mitch Friedman, who brings
dental services and supplies to the needy in
Guachochi. Sharon Saquilon, also a member of the Rotary
team, is now working to establish the town’s first
library. All appear inspired by the Emerys' mission. All
seem to find a way to make a unique contribution.
Thinking
back, I can recall Jack Emery's chuckle as he told me,
"You know, it's strange how this works. Those that
come down to Guachochi find something special."
The glimmer in his eyes told me he was saying more than just words. Jack's keen sence of communication skills knew better than to bring up a topic that I wasn't able to deal with. Later I would realize how prolific his
statement really was.
That January 2000, we had arrived the previous day and were staying at the
Lima Hotel in Guachochi, Mexico. A group of us was waiting for
breakfast with Jack and Peg Emery when Dr. Rod Hock returned early from his routine morning walk. I was
surprised to see him back so early.
"You’re
back awfully early?" I questioned.
"It’s
just too cold out there," he said, shivering as he
spoke.
Dr. Hock is
in excellent shape and an avid outdoorsman from one of
Colorado's high-country communities, Evergreen. He and
some of the others were planning to hike to the bottom of
the Copper Canyon and back in one day, an ambitious goal
for even the best of hikers. If Dr. Hock terminated his
walk on account of the temperature, it was truly cold
outside. I wasn't too anxious to leave the
restaurant until the sun warmed things up a bit.
Lacking the
ability to read or write Spanish, I found myself
frustrated over my breakfast choices. Each time I’d have
to explore and make a guess at what might be good. I had
seen one breakfast on the table I wanted, but I didn't know the name.
The two previous mornings I had struck out. After we were
served, I spied Diana’s plate. Diana was one of
the Rotary Club’s professionals who volunteer at
the clinic. It was all there— fried eggs, refried beans,
cheese and salsa over two steaming tortillas. I waited
until we were leaving for the clinic before asking Diana the
exact name of what she had. She didn’t quite remember,
but I thought she would help me figure it out by the next
morning. Unfortunately, she forgot.
Jack
Emery instructs Alfredo how to run the Arvada Rotary
Club's new gift to Guachochi..
As
we headed over to the community center, I was surprised by the
signs of cold temperatures and commented, "Look at all the
frost on the windows and the steam from the car
exhausts."
"I
thought it would be warmer in Mexico," remarked
Diana. Like Diana, most of us had expected to leave
cold temperatures back in Colorado.
"Remember,
it's January and we’re at 8,000 feet," Jack
reminded us.
I rarely wore a jacket above freezing and most people
found it difficult to understand my tolerance to the cold. I had brought my down
jacket only out of respect to Jack's advice. Since this is
Mexico, it had to be a lot warmer than Denver. This perception would later almost cost me my life.
To
be successful, each trip requires a lot of work throughout
the year. They fly or drive in 9 to 16 people to Guachochi
twice a year. Pilots need to be found and glasses must be collected,
prepared and sorted. All trips are meticulously planned.
Each volunteer pays his or her own expenses for the
privilege of working two long days, but the agenda is
balanced by socializing with the locals at night. Because
the days are so hectic with work, the next day's plans are
discussed between songs and toasts. That typically
leaves a short night, but the team keeps going from an
unexplained source of energy.
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