Disciples around the world have been praying and fasting for their brothers and sisters, families and friends in danger in countries around the world. (Disciples in Danger) Arturo Elizarraras, Teacher for the Mexico City Church of Christ brings us this sobering update from Mexico:
35,000 killed, 5,000 dissapeared, 1,000 children dead, thousands of orphans and widows. These is what many analysts are saying about what has been going on in Mexico since 2006.
Do not give the life of your dove to beasts, do not forget the lives of your people forever. Consider the convenant, for the dark places of the land are full of violence. Arise God, defend your cause! [Psal 74.19-22]
The violence related to drug cartels and the government's war against them has been exploding in many cities across the whole country in the past 5 years. And just as the Psalm 74 says, "the dark places of the land are full of violence", that's the same feeling that many Mexicans have now about their neighborhoods, cities or states. This does not means that once that you put a feet in Mexican territory you are in the middle of a shootout, but it means that it doesn't matter where you are or at what time of the day, you never know when something can happen. So "the wrong place and the wrong time" can be anywhere and anytime of the day.
The Psalm 74 also reflects a cry to God of his people for help, as it says, "do not forget the lives of your people forever". As the whole country is suffering right now from the pain of the violence and the kidnappings and murders, also the church in Mexico has been suffering together with the society, and has the same cry. Almost every church in Mexico has some testimony about suffering and pain because of the violence in the country. Some of them are:
1. In Mexico City several close relatives from disciples has been kidnapped or murdered. Some disciples have received death threats to them and their children. Others have suffered extortions from drug cartels who are trying to take control of their neighborhoods and businesses. In some regions, the place where the church meets has been surrounded by several shootouts and executions. Pain has come to some regions of Mexico City.
2. In the church in Morelia, Michoacán, a brother was kidnapped by drug cartels 3 years ago and until this day he has not reappeared. Because he was a physician, some Christians there believe that he is working for the drug cartel in that area against his will, helping with the wounded and the sick "sicarios" (hired killers).
3. The church in Culiacan, Sinaloa, lives under gunfire everyday. The walking road from the ministers in that church to the building where the church gathers (3 blocks) has a lot of death stories to tell. Almost in every corner somebody has been killed. Some of them even a couple of hours before the midweek service of the church.
4. In the church in Monterrey, Nuevo León, some disciples are training their children on what to do if a shootout starts in the street, or in the mall or in the school. The insecurity is very high.
5. In the church in Tepic, Nayarit, tragedy visited the brotherhood. A dear brother and well respected leader there was killed in December 2010 by an armed group of men ("sicarios"), one night after a church's celebration while he was working in his food business in one of the main streets in Tepic, together with some other people who were in his business. Raúl Morán is in the blue shirt in the picture baptizing one of his friends just a few months ago.
Another brother was recently kidnapped and almost killed because the "sicarios" had a confusion about him (they were thinking that he was another man). By God's mercy he was let alive, but he was very near to be executed in the street, while he was driving to give a Bible study to a non-Christian.
And there are more stories in every church. But in spite of this, the faith and the courage of Mexico's church is high, and they continue to evangelize, baptize a lot of people, practice discipleship, organize Women and Men' Forum, collecting Special Contributions for Missions, etc. In spite of fear, insecurity or violence, we know that we need to put our trust in God. Prayer has been more deep in some churches who has been suffering this things. Fellowship has been stronger because of the tragedies. And even many people who left the church years ago has been returning to church.
Just as the leader of the church in Tepic, Nayarit, said in a recent interview, in the middle of blessings of baptisms and restorations, "In spite of all we are very happy, and also trusting that fellowship of this church and all the churches is taking place because God is working through all adversities and transforming them into a victory for Him". His wife was also diagnosed with cancer and now is under chemotherapy.
Please pray for us, the disciples in Mexico, so God can protect us and our families. And pray for our country, so violence can stop and God can use all this evil to bring repentance and spiritual need to the Mexicans in all the country.