A TRIBUTE TO MAGGIE'S FATHER

On Sunday October 10, 2009, Maggie and her family lost their father John Charles Cook doing what he loved most.  He was in the town of Zacapu, Mexico preaching to the poor in one of the 16 churches he built around Mexico, when he fell to his knees after having a heart attack. 

Maggie’s father and mother have been missionaries in Mexico for over 30 years.  They have cared for over 200 children through the years, not including 8 of their own biological children, and 54 legally adopted abused and neglected children.

As a Medical Doctor, John Cook gave medical attention and medications to the poor for free, and operated on over 36,000 patients. 

When I was young, I traveled with him to Morelia (a city in Mexico) to take his patients for treatment to the Hospital Civil.  My father had gotten a package in the mail where he received money from U.S. supporters for his nonprofit organization called Mano De Ayuda (Helping Hand).  It had been a long week for the family at the orphanage.  We were struggling as we didn’t have any food or gasoline that entire week.   That day my father received $1,000.00 in the mail.  He was so happy!  When we went to the Hospital Civil, a man with no shoes approached him.  My father told me, “Do you know how I can tell that man is poor?”  “His hair is so thin and discolored which means he is severely malnourished”.  The man asked to speak with him.  Moments later, they both went inside the hospital as I waited in the van outside.  An hour later he came out with a big smile on his face and shaking his head at the same time.  I asked him “what happened”?  He said to me “Maggie, I just paid his debt, and it was exactly $1,000.00”.  Then he said “Maggie, this is what I call living by faith”.  That following week, people from the villages around us brought us brought us food and gasoline.  And the amazing thing was that they didn’t even know we were struggling. 

I will never forget his deep love for the poor. 

Today, my mother is left with all of my siblings to care for.  My sister Mariana, who is now a Medical Doctor, is taking care of the clinic and the poor.  My brother Paco, who has recently finished Bible College, is taking on the Ministry.  With the help of the people who helped my father, and rest of my brothers and sisters, my father’s Legacy will live on forever!

Click here to view a video and slideshow tribute to Dr. Johnny Cook. 
(approx. 4:45 & 5:28  runtime)

 Maggie’s Salsa is committed to donating the proceeds of our products to benefit the Mano De Ayuda Program for the Poor as one of our main charities.