Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Family looks to Gurdon for way to help children

A couple from South Texas brought their 10 children to Gurdon three weeks ago to get away from teenage violence, gangs and drugs which plague the Mexican border town they used to call home.

Felix Barrientes, 48, who now lives at the corner of 10th and Main Street in Gurdon, said Aug. 10, I have a six-bedroom house near the border with a fence to keep out the wrong crowd, but I still had a fear that my children might choose a bad path.

I believe the children are my greatest asset.

Barrientes and his wife, Marisa, have been together for 17 years. They have 12 children. Two stayed behind in Southern Texas.

One of their daughters, Amanda Gomez, 17, began dating Bobby Zamora of Gurdon and Zamora suggested the family give the local town a try.

I really feel we need to stay here, Barrientes said. If I did not like it so much, I would go on back home. I plan to get a job in the Gurdon area, and continue to watch deer play in my back yard. I would love to have a camera to photograph those deer.

I came here because I want my children to have an opportunity to amount to something and have a chance to stay away from the wrong crowd. My grandfather taught me the devil never sleeps ...

Felix and Marisa are the parents of Amanda, 17; Felicia, 14; Felix, 13; Ezequil, 12; Elizabeth, 10; Joshua, 7; Grabrel, 5; Michael, 4; Caroline, 2; and Diana, six months.

They are also the parents of Rachel, 3; and Delia, 6; who were left at home with their grandmother, Esttal.

When the Barrientes arrived, they spent a few days without utilities, but got them on with the help of his sister..

My sister, Yolanda Salinas, has been a teacher in Southern Texas for 20 years. She sent some money and said we could take care of it later, he said.

Roland Hughes was nice to us on a refrigerator deal. He also gave us a mattress. When we got our lights on, the air conditioner made us think we were in heaven.

The family has accumulated a televison set, several mattresses, a couch and a few chairs.

Needs washing machine

As to what they still need, Barrietes said his biggest want is a washing machine.

I would not mind hanging out the clothes to dry, but I really wish we had a washer, he said.

His wife said the family could use three dressers, three more beds, a coffee table, two recliners and school clothes and supplies for his school age children.

Tommy Potter of the Faith Mission brought us food, Marisa said.

Barrientes said the Lighthouse Ministries of Arkadelphia gave them a couch.

The family has a truck and Barrientes has been looking for work. He was a butcher. Then he worked at Wal-Mart as a clerk and an overnight stacker for 15 years.

To donate items to the Barrientes family, contact Potter at 353-2505.

The Barrientes are looking for a church home. They welcome visitors.