The heart of Tlacote
by
Bette Stockbauer
In the September issue of Share International, Gill Fry wrote of her
trip to Tlacote, Mexico, where a well, energized by Maitreya, has been
producing 'miracle water' since May 1991. Over 6 million people have used
the water to treat countless ailments. This report describes another such
journey to Tlacote.
Once a month a bus leaves from San Antonio, Texas, taking pilgrims to
the healing waters of Tlacote, Mexico. The bus departs on Friday afternoon
and returns early Monday morning. There is an overnight stay in the Mexican
city of San Luis Potosi. The cost is only $145.00.
The idea for the trips began when Tino Duran, editor and owner of La Prensa,
San Antonio's Spanish language newspaper, heard about Tlacote and decided
to drive there. Duran sought help for his own medical problems and also
wanted to report on the site for his newspaper. He was amazed at what
he saw. After his account was published in La Prensa, people began to
call, seeking more information. Because the trip is difficult by car -
the highways are dangerous and accommodations sparse - he wanted to provide
a bus trip that would make the experience more accessible to the people
of San Antonio.
As I prepared for the journey, the words of Mother Teresa kept singing
in my ears: "Let us do something beautiful for God." Along the
way, I would meet many people attempting to heed Mother Teresa's words.
On the day of departure, a cold front has lifted the humidity of a hot
Texas summer. The natural anticipation of my fellow passengers combines
with the energizing air from the north to engender many smiles and cheerful
expectations. Adding to the excitement is a three-person news team from
the Channel 4 television station in Dallas. They will document the trip
for a threepart series to be aired during the most heavily watched week
of their season. A free-lance journalist and a photographer, also from
Dallas, cover the journey as well.
Everyone has a story to tell and each bus stop finds reporters interviewing
people, noting their illnesses and expectations. Interviewers question
other interviewers. Wally, the cameraman, keeps a visual narrative of
the Mexican countryside, the passengers, and the highlights of the trip.
Santos, the bus driver, is the comedian of the group. Between hair-raising
adventures on the highway, he entertains us with jokes.
Rolando Montes, a writer for La Prensa, and his wife, Isabel, accompany
each trip, acting as interpreters, problem solvers, and goodwill ambassadors.
It is a challenging job, as there are many special requests and some hardships
each time. Nevertheless, they both attest to the rewards involved, and
it is obvious that their time is given with an open heart and deep compassion.
Many stories to tell
The heart of the Tlacote experience lies in the stories of the people,
their hardships and the hope they carry.
Joe Morales is traveling with his mother. A car accident has left Joe's
brother brain-damaged, unable to swallow, and requiring constant nursing
care. Joe is sharing the medical expenses with another sibling. A few
drops of Tlacote water enabled his brother to swallow for the first time.
Joe is hopeful that long term use will have a dramatic effect.
A brilliant smile always lights the face of Maria Guerra. This is the
second journey for her and her husband, Geraldo. Three months before,
their first use of Tlacote water lowered his blood sugar level from 275
to 67 within 10 days. A nephew on insulin has been able to decrease his
dosage to one-quarter the original amount. Maria's cholesterol level has
dropped from 325 to 236. She feels there are many reasons to be joyful.
Lewis
Thompson Mohr, a Dallas resident, is making the trip for his wife, Cathy,
who has multiple sclerosis and can no longer walk. He cares for her during
the day. At night he works, leaving her alone, but surrounded by a support
system of telephones and nourishment to fulfill any need which might arise.
He has tried many treatments and spent large sums of money searching for
help. A Dallas chiropractor gave Cathy her first sample of Tlacote water.
When Tom saw the light in her eyes and the energy it instantly imparted,
he decided to make the journey. One reason for his faith is that the waters
are free and the bus trip of minimal cost. A number of difficulties easily
fell away as he made preparations to come.
Antonia Gonzales has suffered from arthritis for 30 years. It has deformed
her feet and hands. At times her neck and spine are so stiff she is unable
to move her head. Her doctor prescribed a spinal operation but Antonia
thought the odds for recovery too slender and the cost too high. She decided
to take her family on a vacation to Florida instead. On the plane she
prayed that she would be relieved of her pain just enough to be able to
finish the trip. By the time the plane landed in Florida she was able
to freely move her head and neck.
Thus began a long journey of faith for Antonia. She says, "Every
day I wake up and I know that God has given me this pain. I know, too,
that it is too great for me to bear, so I pray and I offer it back to
Him. He gives it to me and I give it right back to Him. That is how I
am able to bear it."
Different kind of cure
Her companion, Angie Murillo, is as radiant as her name implies. After
11 operations she is seeking a different kind of cure. During a prayer
meeting at their church, Angie and Antonia discovered they were booked
for the same bus trip. Angie offered to take care of Antonia's many physical
needs. Their constant joy and patience fills the bus.
Maria Garza suffers from osteoporosis and arthritis. She first went to
Tlacote as a sceptic, but eager to seek help for her epileptic granddaughter.
After seeing a 70 per cent improvement, she started her own regime. Maria's
son is a chemical engineer. He was also sceptical until he analysed a
sample. Noting the water's unusual properties, he now urges Maria to continue
its use.
Leo and Aida Gomez are seeking an alternative to medical treatment. Dialysis
has been recommended for Mr Gomez but they want to avoid the risk and
expense it would impose. Mrs Gomez became disenchanted with the medical
system after receiving 27 radiation treatments that she now believes were
unnecessary. After a long life of hard work, they are hoping to find enough
health to travel and enjoy their retirement.
My seatmate and translator, Bertha Cortez, has a visual impairment her
doctor cannot diagnose. Her daughter has medical problems, and her grandson
an attention disorder, so she is bringing water for the entire family.
Throughout the trip we joke about the many vagaries of Mexican travel
and "Mexican time". These are a few of the millions who come,
their hopes expressed in myriad ways.
To Tlacote and back
All night we travel in the rain, and are relieved when daybreak brings
sunshine. We breakfast at an open-air cafe and by 11 a.m. are nearing
Tlacote. It is a tiny village nestled on a hillside. It overlooks a huge
estate that is owned by a government official. The estate is neatly divided
into separate fields by rows of trees. It is completely surrounded by
a brick wall.
Approaching Tlacote, it is obvious the waters and cures are blessing some
villagers with a bit of income. The pilgrims wait in line on the right
side of the road, and on the left are vendors at small lean-to shops selling
food, clothes, and curios. Other merchants sell jewelry, newspapers, candy,
and trinkets, as well as 20-liter plastic containers, the standard measure
given to pilgrims. After purchasing our bottles we pass through the special
gate for foreigners. Antonia bravely navigates the rocky downhill path
with her walker. Wally films her descent.
The
next two hours we spend waiting in line to see the doctor. We talk to
one another and to the others who have come. One woman has traveled alone
from Guatemala. In her town there is also a wonder-working spring. When
asked why she has come all the way to Tlacote, she says that the waters
in her town will only cure baldness, and not other illnesses, like the
well of Tlacote. Eventually, everyone speaks with the doctor, receives
a prescription, and obtains their water. Trucks and special hired carts
carry the heavy containers up the hill to the bus. Five hours after our
arrival, we make our way through the street vendors and re-board the bus
headed for a downtown hotel in San Luis Potosi, one and one-half hours
away.
The bus ride is quiet and reflective. The land has just been drenched
by thunderstorms. A brilliant double rainbow arches between two nearby
peaks.
One by one the passengers gasp in wonder as the rainbow comes into view.
It grows in luminosity as we weave through the hills.
The hotel stay is an entertaining interlude. Mr Montes makes arrangements
for a catered dinner of Mexican food. On this night there is a 15-member
mariachi band with mandolins and guitars. The tambourine player is an
artist, skilfully interweaving dance and tambourine in one motion.
On Sunday we depart at noon, wending our way through the tiny streets.
The city itself is a spectacle for the eye - its beauty punctuated by
majestic cathedrals. That night, the October full moon illuminates the
hills that we failed to see on the rainy journey down. At the last stop
before Laredo, Texas, Antonia attempts a walk to the restroom without
her walker. Wally films the triumph and Antonia returns to the bus, panting
but exuberant. She and Angie whisper and giggle long into the night.
Monday morning at 5 a.m. we arrive in San Antonio at the La Prensa office.
Isabel and Rolando Montes summon a final burst of energy in removing the
70-plus, 44-pound containers from the luggage hold and helping people
load their cars. Wally, the cameraman, takes a few closing shots of people
claiming their precious cargo. Friends and relatives arrive to share in
the excitement.
This has been a journey of hope. For some, it will be the beginning of
a new relation to life - a relation built on faith and the power of renewal
in that spark of God which we call the human spirit. We have all been
touched by our companions on the road. Many of us feel we have shared
in an experience greater than ourselves. In some way we sense that in
making such a journey, we have, perhaps, done "something beautiful
for God."
Source: Share International, December
1992
(Tlacote Water: the well is on the Ranch of Senor Jesus Chahin in the
town Tlacote, 15 miles from the city of Queretaro which by car is 2 1/2
hours north of Mexico City.)
see also article: Journey to Tlacote in Share
International September 1992
Reprinted by courtesy of © Share
International
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