In a small house in Tijuana, with a roof full of holes and barely $150 bimonthly to survive. Casimira Castillo and her husband, Ezequiel Rodriguez, face a daily silent struggle against pain and poverty.
Bedridden, without a leg, and his body overcome by an embolism, Ezequiel barely survives under a roof that is falling apart. Casimira, with a metal ankle that hardly allows her to walk, struggles every day against poverty, illness, and hopelessness. Her daughter, a single mother of three children, cannot rescue them either. Everything in her world seemed to be falling apart… until a ray of mercy touched her home.
Casimira Castillo Velez, 75 years old, had known struggle all her life. Together with her husband, 79-year old Ezequiel Rodriguez Garcia, they left their beloved Acapulco many years ago, seeking a better future in Tijuana. But harsh and unforgiving life presented them with trials that few could endure.
Ezequiel, once a strong and hardworking man, is now bedridden. An embolism, a stroke, and the amputation of his right leg due to complications from diabetes have left him immobile, utterly dependent on Casimira’s care. She, although not seriously ill, faces her pain: a metal plate in her left ankle makes it difficult for her to walk and move with agility.
The pension they receive, only $150 every two months, is not enough to cover even the basics. But amid so much need, God has never left them alone. With infinite generosity, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate have provided them with diapers, food, and comfort in the most challenging moments.
At their side, their daughter, Deyanira Rodriguez Castillo, also struggles with her ordeal. Mother of three children -Ezequiel, Angel Daniel, and little Paulina-she faces alone the burden of a life full of shortages. Paulina, barely three years old, suffers from achondroplasia and bone problems that require specialized treatments and orthopedic shoes that her mother cannot afford.
In addition, Deyanira suffers from a cyst on her right wrist that requires urgent surgery, something unattainable without a job or medical insurance. And, to make matters worse, she was abandoned by the father of her youngest daughter.
The conditions in her home reflect the wounds of their lives: roofs full of holes that, with every rain, turned into nightmares. Each storm meant a desperate battle to protect Ezequiel from the water and the cold while helplessness filled their home.
When all seemed lost, a ray of God-sent mercy struck: thanks to the Oblate Pastoral Center’s roofing program, sponsored by Serving Hands, their home was selected for repair.
When Ezequiel heard the news, he burst into tears. Tears of deep gratitude, tears that had been held back for years. Casimira, at his side, hugged him tightly as they both thanked God. For the first time in a long time, they wept not from sadness but from joy.
The roof repair transformed their lives. They no longer fear the rain or the cold. Now they sleep peacefully, protected under a safe roof, secure in the knowledge that God’s love is manifested through the generous hands of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and their benefactors.
Although challenges persist today, the family knows they do not walk alone. Their renovated home is more than a shelter: it symbolizes hope, a testimony that faith, perseverance, and Christian love can transform life. Every nail, every board, and every drop of paint is, for them, a living reminder that Christ’s love is present in those who choose to serve those most in need.
Thanks to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and Serving Hands, this family dreamed, believed and smiled again.
Thank you for being part of the Oblate Family in Tijuana.
Your support and prayers make a difference in their lives!