The House that Tortillas Built

On Saturday, we had a chance to go to our friend Arnold's house.  Some of you may know Arnold and his family, but for those who don't, they have an incredible story.  They live in a village up a mountain on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa called Mogote.  Its a village of a few thousand people that has only existed for about twelve years. In 1998 when Hurricane Mitch devastated the country, Arnold and his family were among the many thousands whose homes were wiped out.  Homeless, and with only the few possessions they were able to salvage, they went to higher ground.  With the pride of someone who has come a long way from a very low point in life, they showed us a photo of the house they built in what was then an empty field and is now the heart of the village of Mogote.  I use the term "house" loosely.  They had made a shelter from some scrap wood they were able to find and a few blue tarps donated to Honduras for the post-Mitch relief effort.  I am amazed that someone had the presence of mind to somehow gather their family in front of their new home and get someone to take their picture.  To me, it shows that in their minds, this was a setback that someday they could look back on and be proud of themselves and each other that they had overcome.

They have certainly received some help from some generous people, but most of what they have they owe to tortillas.  After Mitch, Arnold's mother began making and selling tortillas to earn money to build a proper house.  Arnold sold them door-to-door throughout the village.  They were eventually able to build the house and today she and her daughter still make tortillas everyday to help fund the education of kids and grandkids.  

Saturday we had lunch in the house that tortillas built (and, yes, tortillas were on the menu), and after lunch Melissa was given a lesson in tortilla-making.  The whole family was so kind and hospitable and made us feel right at home.  They are great people with an incredible story.  And the story still continues.  Moved by their determination, a family from Edmond have been sponsoring Arnold's university education.  He is the first person from Mogote to receive a university education.  It is moving to know where this family has come from and to imagine what the future holds.

P.S. In case you're wondering, 3 tortillas will cost you 1 Lempira, which in US Dollars translates to about 1.5 cents per tortilla. 

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