The Tamale Kid, Alex Trulove

For many of you, you know your time in Mexico by the weekly schedule that you keep, but for some, the Interns, their summer is much different. We have been blessed with a great team of interns over the years and we like to more refer to them as our extended family of “Our Kids”. This year was no exception as one young man came to pour out his mind and body to help us build homes for those in need, but I think he soon found that he would also pour out his heart in many ways. Alex Trulove came to us from Littlerock Arkansas and although Alex had been here before with his group we just could not picture who he was as he was lost in a large group of people. Non the less we trusted those that knew him and felt God’s direction in accepting his Application to be an intern.

It not easy being an intern, you come to this foreign place, you really don’t know anyone, you soon learn that the work you are doing now is not like the work you did when you were here with your group, and there’s just no time to even clean your clothes. Leaving family, friends, not really knowing the language, learning how to communicate with your new room mates and taking on the responsibilities that come with the position. Then comes the emotions that eventually hit when you realize that you are indeed here in Mexico, and you are not heading home in that big white van.

As Alex drew closer to his finish line he received the news that his Grandfather had suffered a very sever stroke. It did not take long to reach the decision that it would be best if we got Alex on to a plan ASAP so he could be with his family in this very crucial time. Within two days arrangements were made and Alex would be on his way home a week early, and a week after he got home his Grandfather went home to be with the Lord.
We’ll miss Alex, or as we called him “The Tamale Kid”, mainly due to his love for Tamales and it seemed he was always looking for a reason to hit the stands and get a few. One thing that was also strange is how he liked Menudo! Not too many people like it, but Alex took to it like a fish in water and he and I actually had it for breakfast the day he left. We pray that Alex took home some important lessons for his life and that some how through the work and fun the Lord spoke to him about his life. So Tamale Kid,,,remember this… Tamale’s are good, but fry them in Butter and Garlic and Ohhh man, you’ll love it.
Vaya con Dios!