Puerto Rico/ Two Years Post Maria "It's hard, of course, but I don't know what to do anymore." Sofia and Ricardo Arraya have seven children, five were born healthy but two, Jose and Josie were born with developmental and mental impairments and have lived with Sofia and Ricardo their entire lives. Both in their late 60s, the parents acknowledge neither of their children receive the care they would if the family had more money or lived elsewhere. “Do you know why? We listen to His words. That is why we are here today. There is too much pain in Puerto Rico, even more since Maria. There is suffering everywhere though and it’s easy to say “why should I help?” “What can I possibly do?” We talk ourselves out of acting because life and the many problems are overwhelming. But I can do this much. We all can. These are my brothers and my sisters. It’s very simple.” A pastor at a church in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Marlo is one of a team of 10-15 people who volunteer their time 7 days a weeks to provide a meal and prayer for anyone who needs either. He and his team of volunteers gather in a small parking lot and deliver food from the back of trucks as the sermon is delivered from a portable loudspeaker. Though most reports assert the tap water in San Juan is safe to drink some residents continue to seek out sources to bottle their own. SuperMax, a 24/7 grocery-store chain popular on the island, offters filtered water and has a small line much of the day.
