Mario Estrada

Mario Estrada is 47 years old.  He first came to En El Corazon de Jesus in  November, 2008.    Mario has added a lot to the center. He is the cook for at least two meals a day.  Mario was born in Santa Cruz del Quiche. Mario’s has a sister who lives in Santa Cruz del Quiche with her husband and two children.  He also has a brother in Guatemala City and a sister in the United states. 

He graduated from high school in Icabal. It is north of Quiche at Quirigua. His parents are not living.   Mario went to the United States in 1984.  He lived  in Whitter, California  for three years and then moved  to Houston.  He lived in Houston from 1987 to 2000.  While in Houston he worked in restaurant, as a waiter and learned how to cook while there.  He changed occupations to auto painting .  His last job was installing and repairing sheetrock. 

Mario got involved in alcohol because when he got paid on Friday he would  drink beer over the weekend.  He did not drink during the week.  In January 2000, Mario was deported and lived in Guatemala City.  He lived three for three years and moved to Quiche. While in Guatemala City he was very depressed over being deported and started dinking Vodka.  He had a very hard time because he was sent back.  He still would like to return today.

Mario worked in a body shop and drove a truck in Guatemala City.  When he returned to Quiche he worked as a social worker in the health center.  His work was getting immunization for children.  He was fired for drinking.  He worked again in a body shop.  They have no equipment in the shops here and it was very difficult for him, which caused to drink more. 

A common friend of Victor Tevalan ( the man who runs the center) and Mario’s named Carlos talked Mario into coming to the center. Carlos brought Mario to the center. Mario decided to leave the center in March 2009 and drive a local bus.  This was a poor choice.  In August Mario came back much in bad condition.   He had been in a fight and seriously hurt his shoulder.  He still needs therapy. 

Mario has met a woman in his church who is 32 yrs old with a young son.  He  hopes to be able to get married soon.  He will need a good job to do so.

Mario would like a job cooking or driving a truck.

He is praying for God to open a door.