Hermana Carmen

I have only met Sister Carmen once, but I already love her. She is a single mother with 3 children, a 9 year old daughter and 2 sons on missions (in southern Chile and Bolivia). Her (almost) bed-ridden mother lives with her as well. During the earthquake 1/2 of her house collapsed. The other 1/2 was too dangerous to live in. Her 2nd son was still at home during the earthquake, but left about 2 weeks later for the MTC in Peru. It was so hard on him to leave these 3 women living in a tent in front of the house. The older sons mission president has called many times because he has been so concerned about his family. Sister Carmen just tells them that they are where they are supposed to be... she really has amazing faith.

As soon as we arrived at Sister Carmens house she gave me a big hug, and thanked me, and thanked her brothers and sisters in the United States. While the others were unloading everything she took my hand and led me through her house, giving me a very personal tour. The ceilings have all been torn down. The bathroom walls fell during the earthquake, but they have put them back up (temporarily). In the backyard is one of the government-provided 'homes'- they received it mid-January... I am so glad they are out of the tent! Their 'home' serves as their bedroom, and a make-shift dining/living room has been added onto the front. They will soon have a bathroom, and other than a kitchen sink, the house has been liveable (well, except for the pesky flies that have about a million ways to get in). They are grateful the summer heat is just about gone, but not looking forward to the cold winter nights. The hope is that in two years they will be able to rebuild the original home.

This family received a kitchen sink, faucet and cupboard for the sink, a Sunday dress for the daughter, and some shampoos and soaps.
The front of Sister Carmen's home... it has the mark that means the house it is uninhabitable. Me and my girls, Sister Carmen, Brother Diaz, the compassionate service leader (hiding between my baby & another sister from the ward), and Sister Victoria Diaz. In the box is the kitchen sink and cabinet. This is the room that was damaged the worst... the entire roof collapsed. Sister Carmen and her family feel so blessed that nobody was on the side of the house that collapsed (she was at work, her daughter was at school, and her mother was on the other side of the house).
A hole looking out to the street.
This is the 1/2 of the house that didn't collapse, but a tractor did take down the roof because it was too dangerous. Once it was down they moved out of the tent and into the house, waiting for the temporary 'home'.
A view from the front door... notice, no ceiling. To the right is where the roof collapsed. To the left is where it was torn down. At the back you can see a bit of the new kitchen/living room (behind the windows).
A view of the side of the house that collapsed (taken from the backyard, right in front of the new living/dining room). Another view of the collapsed half.
This is where the kitchen sink and cupboard will go. The home of the future bathroom... the toilete, sink, and shower from the collapsed house will be moved here.