Julio, Christina and Marcos have moved a second time since the accident. Community support has enabled the family to move into their first home. A two-bedroom home near the border of Banning-Beaumont. Julio has a new four-wheel drive pickup but he doesn't like driving, he still has bad memories from the accident. They have a giant German Shepherd and lots of chickens in the backyard.

Marcos prefers Mark now. He is 11 and the wheel chair has been left behind. His face is free of scabs and his hair is growing back. He has also put on a lot of weight.

Thursday night we pack up and head for church. The Montalvos follow the Pentecostal faith now and they go to church three or four times a week. Julio plays guitar for the church band, Christina keeps time with her tambourine and Mark looks for any diversion. While Mom and Dad have embraced this religion with fervor, Mark is less enthusiastic.

The Pastor is incredible. I have never seen a more animated person. One moment he is preaching at the top of his lungs trying to make his point and the next minute he is dancing and laughing in the "power of the Lord". Toward the end of the ceremony, members of the 15-person congregation are infused with the holy spirit and begin shaking, crying and convulsing as though possessed.

Now that I've moved from Banning to San Francisco, I spend the night at their home for the first time. Such loving people. I wish I spoke Spanish. Christina's English is OK but Julio doesn't speak English very well. When family or friends drop by, the conversation is always in Spanish. Mark isn't in school yet but Christina says they're getting a private tutor.

Friday we woke up late and had a big breakfast. Mark has no fingers left and eats with a plastic fork held onto his arm with a Velcro strap. He must rely on someone to help him put the strap on. Later, in the afternoon, we drive to Mark's best friend's house. This is the first time I've seen him in the company of his peers and I realize that beneath the scars Mark is just a kid looking for fun. He's mischievous, hyper and has an absolutely beautiful spirit.

Sunday we rose early and headed to nearby Lake Perris to celebrate Easter Sunday with a sunrise service. There are about 150 people gathered. The entire Montalvo family turned out for this outing. Mark's older sisters, Christina and Priscilla, aren't as involved with the religion as their parents are. After the service, they lay their blankets near the water and the men cast in their fishing lines.

Marcos now favors Mark. He and his cousin, Jennifer, play tag in the early morning hours of Easter Sunday. The family went to a nearby lake to celebrate the day.

More than a year after the accident the Montalvo family has become deeply religious. They have moved away from the Catholic religion to the Pentecostal faith.

Julio plays guitar in church and Mark loves watching him practice in the morning.

What used to be an overcrowded household is now all but empty. Mark finds some relief from boredom by watching TV or playing video games.

On the front porch of their new home Julio helps Mark with his glasses.

Mark and his friends.