I hadn’t had any contact with my host family, the Cuevas Jimenez family, since 1993. I spent six weeks with them in Macuilxóchitl during the summer of 1992, where I worked on constructing latrines and teaching dental hygiene. I’ve attached another photo from that time that you are welcome to use.
We went to Macuilxóchitl with no expectations, just the hope of finding them. I remembered their names and the general location of their home, and I brought along photos from my stay. When we arrived in the town center, an older gentleman directed us to their house, which was in the same spot. My host mother, Christina, now runs a corner tienda from their home and was working when we arrived.
The most miraculous part was that when I introduced myself as “Marcos,” she recognized me immediately and said my full name, “Marcos Rinzel,” even after 34 years.
My host father, Narcisso, returned shortly after from his work in Oaxaca City. Christina made us Tlayudas and we were able to reconnect with their children, Arturo and Lydia. It was a wonderful experience for my sons to see the meaningful, long-lasting impact of the AMIGOS immersion program and the value of learning another language.
By Marc Rinzel, alumni from Oaxaca, México 1992
