Deepertruth: Tonight we are heading to Lewis Kansas where possibly Mary appears

Some of the estimated 10,000 people who have shown up arrive on weekdays. But most come on weekends when cars, vans, pickups and motor homes virtually surround the simple white house at 200 Avenue B where Margarita Holguin lives with her husband, Tomas, and their two children.

Off the Holguins' living room is a small bedroom, now transfigured into a shrine with scores of burning candles, religious pictures, rosaries and two single pews where the devoted can kneel to pray.

Centered on the north wall is the plaster Madonna, eyes and cheeks stained with a brown substance. Inexpensive, made of ordinary plaster of Paris, it was brought here 10 years ago from Mexico, the Holguins' native country.

Those crowding into the bedroom last Sunday took photographs of the Madonna, touched it, took it from its nail on the wall and examined it, then carefully put it back. The few words spoken were in whispers.