Papers

If you missed the post on the death certificate and papers, check out my last blog.  Last week, my friend declared Mama Espinal dead and we obtained a paper for the judge.  Early Friday morning we rode down the mountain to La Vega to see the judge.  The one we originally saw, wasn't in that day, so we had to retell the story to another man.  After I needed more copies, we had to give the paperwork to the secretary.  When we gave it to her, she began questioning what we are doing.  I completely understand the process of questioning to figure out what is going on and to prevent human trafficking, but the process is not done in a respectful way and is not organized either.  It wasn't the secretary's job either!  One child was interviewed the first day and the other child wasn't ever interviewed.  The thing that bothered me most is that everyone wants to know details, repeat what happened, gasp for air to the details, etc.  It is really inconsiderate and rude to talk about it in front of the girls.  Daniela told me that her title is the girl that's mom was killed with a hammer.  I told my hair dresser the mom died when she asked, and she asked me how, I told her I wasn't sure.  Later, she was talking with the girls doing their hair and ASKED Daniela how did mom die.  I shook my head no, she paused and answered not knowing how to not answer.  Of course, my hair dresser said that was your mom??! (I have had to learn that these are MY kids and I can say don't ask her that or don't talk to my kids without my permission. It has taken a few times of people pulling them aside or doing things like this, but I am learning.  Sometimes it is hard because it is family or family friends.  Or, honestly, I am just in awe of the audacity of people). 

So, every new room we walked into they would do the story over again and Nay would take the kids out for me.  The secretary didn't even look over the papers and wanted a verbal explanation of what was going on, and there was no need for it!  Read all the papers!  ASK the judge!  "Who are you?  Are you the mom?  Do you have a husband?  So, you are single?  Why cant you take care of the kids?  Mom, was murdered?  By the father?  Oh, wow." 

All of this going on while other people are in the front office.  Some things I will never, ever understand.  We finally signed the papers.  Then we were told we had to go to another office to drop it off, little did i know that this is ANOTHER judge to sign it, too.  To make it official, official.  The judge wasn't there and this place was clean and appeared professional, not run down buildings like the other places we had been.  I have to call this morning when Suleidy gets here to see if we can go back today.  I don't know why we cant make an appointment, instead you call and see if you can go the day you want to go. 

This past week we have been dealing with a water problem in the house.  Our enormous cistern tank below the ground has been running out and there is no explanation.  Well, our maintenance man swore it was because someone is stealing the water.  How would someone do that?  By buckets.  No, sir!  That is not happening!  I can't help but get upset at times by the thought processes that go on.  Deep breaths.  No, sir, there is a leak somewhere.  My landlord lives in NY and he says he can fill the tank monthly for us.  Sorry, that is all I can do.  700 pesos worth, about $16.  Seriously?  Fix the problem and let's stop calling the firefighters to come bring us water.  I am amazed at that jerk's response.  I can give you water once a month and only can afford $16 worth.  He is American.  That response is ridiculous.  The problem is no one cares. The lawyer in charge of the house was telling me she can't do anything, she doesn't own it and can't authorize anything.  Does that even make sense?  No, nothing ever does.  Culture shock, all over again. 

So we found the leak and hopefully they are going to fix it.  We filled up all the buckets I have the other day to use for showers, hand washing, and to flush toilets. Much thanks for Luke and Naomi for helping me wash days and days of nasty dishes, hauling buckets of water upstairs to fill my large trashcan to use for showers.  I have to get ready to leave.  We just called the office and they said call back in an hour to see if we can come today.  I know I keep asking for prayers, but please lift us up today to be done with all this. 

Also, my challenge for you today is to be cognizant of every-single-time you use water, just today.  I say this not to ask you to see my plight with the water, but to make you aware how much water you use DAILY.  Those 3 days (and really, we had to be easy on the water the week before because we knew the tank was empty and were only using the water from the Tinanca reserve on the roof) I thought I was going to go crazy.  I really did not realize how vital it is to do anything!

Much love!