a bittersweet experience in Chiapas

Yesterday we were invited to participate in a welcome home thanksgiving service in the small indigenous town of Esperanza, Chiapas, Mexico. 14 years ago a massacre occurred in a nearby town killing 45 indigenous members of a pacifist group known as "Las Abejas." This was in the midst of the recent Zapatista guerrilla uprising and tension was very high. Dozens of indigenous neighbors were rounded up, brought to trial and sentenced to 18-36 years in prison, many of whom were members of Evangelical churches in the region. In the past year we have gotten to know some of the "widows" of those imprisoned who have been waging a campaign for their release because of what they say was a terrible injustice. Somewhere around 50 were finally released in the past few months leaving around 35 still in prison. Two of the brothers and father of the young woman who has spearheaded the campaign were released and the service yesterday was primarily for her father.

You might understand that this service could have been interpreted as a provocative act by members of "Las Abejas" who still grieve their loss of 45 members from their organization. During the service mention was made of their grieving and a call to seek reconciliation was given that all the indigenous of the region might be able to live peacefully among each other.

Prayers were made for all the victims...those from the massacre, those unjustly imprisoned and all the families left without husbands, wives, mothers and fathers. Please pray with us that God would lead us to know how to be His ambassadors in this situation to bring the Good News of peace, hope and justice into a situation that for too long has not seen any of the three.

Muchas Gracias!