Why You Should Be Concerned About Chiapas
LATEST NEWS FLASH!!!! PRESIDENT FOX BEEN SWIFT IN HIS COMMITMENT TO RESTORING PEACE IN CHIAPAS. FOLLOWING NEGOTIATIONS WITH SUBCOMANDER MARCOS, AND SPEARHEADING BY NEW GOVERNOR PABLO SALAZAR, PRISONERS ARE BEING RELEASED, LAND IS BEING RETURNED, AND OTHER GESTURES OF GOODWILL ARE BEING SEEN.
ABOUT PHOTO. Don't be deceived by photo as this shot was taken in village near Santa Margarita, which is near Comitan. She is actually preparing beans to be fried. Her family and others were run out of village due to their religious beliefs. Yes there is great persecution still in Mexico. What you don't see is this self-made kitchen is actually in the middle of a street. These people have tremendous courage and simply want to be free to live their life, while holding onto the rich heritage that many prefer to hide.
Understanding Chiapas is not difficult - you have to search within yourself and ask why???
Whether, South Central Los Angeles, Kosovo, South Africa, Washington DC, you can see for yourself that the situation in Chiapas strikes a similar cord.
I was blessed and fortunate to be a part of 5 Deacons who were given a first-hand glimpse of how we must minister to each other - or else be doomed.
Our trip started at the bottom of the state in Tapachula and with the aide of a Toyota Van we traveled to the top of the State, eventually winding up in Villahermosa (and you thought Los Angeles had smog). Nevertheless, we saw many people and witnessed their experiences. Oh yes! The military presence is real as we had to deal with many roadblocks.
Regardless of your perspective, Chiapas offers a real-life example of people simply wanting the best out of life without comprimising their heritage.
Who would think in the year 2000 people would still suffer tremendous persecution for their religious and other beliefs??
Service is easy for some, hard for others but Chiapas represents empowerment at the core level.
Read on.......
