Members of the two Los Mochis stakes not only cared for their own, but they also shared resources with others following torrential rains that led to severe flooding here, according to Elder Horacio A. Tenorio of the Seventy and a counselor in the Mexico Area presidency.
The rains fell for five days in January, swelling the waters and tributaries of the El Fuerte River, on the west central coast of Mexico.The rivers flooded 23 towns along the banks and forced some 68,000 people from their homes. Most found refuge in Los Mochis.
Among them were 83 members of the Aome Branch, and 167 of their non-LDS family members. They were all housed and fed for more than two weeks either in the homes of other members or in a meetinghouse. A number of the non-LDS were parents of LDS youths, said Elder Tenorio.
Shortly after the waters began to subside, leaders learned that five LDS families had lost their homes. Cement and blocks, as well as wood and other building materials, were donated by the stake, and members began rebuilding the homes, said Pres. Esquiel Fernando Ramirez of the Los Mochis El Fuerte stake.
"We implemented the emergency welfare plan, and it immediately helped members," said Pres. Ramirez. He added that neither the members nor their families had to rely on government assistance during the disaster.
Stake leaders helped purchase and distribute to the community supplies donated by Church headquarters. The materials included eating utensils, clothing, medical equipment, and garden seeds.
"It is touching to see the feeling and spirit of self-sufficiency begin to grow among the members of the Church in Mexico," said Elder Tenorio.
Neighboring stakes in Ciudad Obregon and Culiacan, and even some as far as Mexicali and Tijuana, called offering help, but the Los Mochis stake leaders explained that their members had cared for themselves.