| Miguel Aleman is a poblado (small town) located halfway between the city of Hermosillo and Kino Bay. Hermosillo, population 500,000, is the thriving capital of the state of Sonora which shares its northern border with Arizona. Kino Bay is primarily a Mexican resort characterized by a vast, wide sandy beach and vacation homes.  On Sunday's, thousands of residents visit the small shops and flea markets that line "Kino Highway" on the outskirts of the poblado.
The poblado, with its population of 35,000, is actually part of the municipality of Hermosillo. Miguel Aleman is poor by almost any standard. It is dominated by indigenous groups who have moved up from southern states like Oaxaca, Puebla, and of course, Chiapas. The predominate source of employment is agriculture and pig farming. During certain months, work is abundant and provides a low but stable income ... a much better living than many of the people had left behind in the southern states.
But at times, work is scarce. During these times, almost out of a Steinbeck novel, the trucks pull into the poblado and the desperate men fight to climb aboard until the truck bed is packed full. The truck pulls out with its cargo of tightly packed, nearly suffocating men, women and young people ... the lucky ones. The workers left behind wait desperately for another truck and a chance to earn a small amount of money for the basic necessities of their families.
One of the most homogeneous and close knit of the indigenous groups is the TriquiS. Triquis are rather small in stature. The men are usually around five feet tall. Typically, the women are shorter. The skin is very dark. The appearance of the Triquis distinguishes them from most other indigenous groups. The group in Miguel Aleman consists of about 1,000 men, women and children. They occupy a neighborhood of 200 small homes.
Women work and children play and sleep on the dusty soil. We want to help them with clean water and with hope. Hope for their kids.
Ten years ago, the founders of this homestead, left Oaxaca on foot. They tell me they left because they were treated like animals. They were killed on the streets in broad daylight. Fearing for their lives, they left their fertile lands where they grew their own fruits and vegetables and raised goats. They wandered for several years, finding work wherever they could.
Several years ago in early 1990s, the Triqui group settled in Miguel Aleman, a location that had only one thing going for it ... more or less steady work on the surrounding ranches and farms. Miguel Aleman is far from beautiful. It is in a virtual desert of deserts ... almost zero rainfall, hot, dusty and, until recently, with minimal public services like police, schools, health services and recreational facilities.
The council meets every Sunday morning. Without Jesus they usually start drinking on Friday night and by the time Sunday rolls around they are litterally stewed.
In their new home, the Triquis have stuck together. Many, especially the women, speak only Triqui. They still suffer from discrimination. Many will not send their children to public schools because they are tormented and their school supplies are stolen.
 Bill told us that one day, Thomas, the elder and president of the group was seen limping. His head was bandaged. He had lacerations on his face. He lifted his shirt and showed two recently closed knife wounds. He said that it had happened Sunday night. He said he was walking down the street and was attacked, beaten and stabbed because he is a Triqui. He then smiled and said ... "At least they don't kill us here."
Though the local Spanish did not kill Thomas, he as much took his own life by riotus living and drinking. Christ can change that.
There is tremendous persecution of the Triqui in Copalla and though they have fled the persecution there, their standing as a lower form of life in Mexico can still be felt by the hatred of other Mexicans toward them. They have made themselves very close knit and keep themselves separated to maintain their health, happiness and sanity. We can help them.
 Brigido, the treasurer of the Triquis and Thomas, the "Elder." Thomas has passed away and we are working toward getting him some kind of memorial. Brigedo is now incapacitated and because of the enormous volumes of alcohol they consume, most of the men have short difficult lives. We are praying that a good Godly man wll become their leader.
Our family and team have grown very fond of these people. They are gentle. They barely survive. Their children are almost always dirty. Many have obvious skin and scalp infections. Some have bloated stomachs. Their teeth are often broken and yellowed. If it does rain or if a broken pipeline floods the streets, they bathe in the water and drink it. Many of children sleep outside at night. Most stretch a plastic grocery bag on the ground for sleeping
The Triqui were made Triqui by God. As told in the Bible, the Lord split the world into nations to confuse their tongues and spread them around the earth. The Lord made the Triqui and loves them. Barbara Hollenbach and and her friends have translated the New Testament into Triqui and there are many messages and booklets, tracts and publications available in Triqui today. We use the Jesus Video in Triqui as well as the other resources by missionaries who want to reach the Triqui in Triqui.
| This is Jose Louise and his family. He is Triqui and this is his wife and his children. Though they attend church in Spanish, they do not understand Spanish well. We have given them Spanish training materials but because they cannot read and write well, we have a way to go to read and write Triqui ourselves. | | The question of culture often comes up. How can they keep their culture and follow Christ? The answer is really quite simple. They cannot. Those who insist cultures should remain untouched are the first to agree that canibals should stop eating other people, especially the researchers themselves. We want them to keep their skills, their ablities and their love of life and each other. We would like to help them overcome their dependencies on substances, curb the outrageous infant mortality rate and help them live clean lives with clean water and food.  
The Triqui women weave shoulder bags and tapestries
The men of the house sell their goods at the market.
We have had several comments about our friend Juan, when compared with his brother Triquis. He does not smoke or drink and his house is kept clean. Though by our standards his kids are dirty and sick and life is really hard for them, they do their very best to do their very best to keep clean and neat. When you look at their property, compared to the property of their drunken wife beating neighbors, it is quite amazing. Jesus makes a lot of difference in people's lives.
Many have tried to help the Triquis in several ways. One way is to promote them and their handicrafts through these pages.
The Triqui BOUTIQUE. The Triqui women weave traditional clothing and accessories on primitive looms. Each product is unique. Profits from sales of the products go directly to the Group.
The Triquis are making Barbie clothes and accessories! You can help the group and own some of these absolutely authentic one of a kind doll sized ceremonial dresses and accessories.
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