It was 2006, and that journey took me to “El Jardin” (the Garden) a Tsotsil community in the mountains of Chiapas to share Christmas with Pastor Antonio as a missionary working with International Ministries. Alongside our brothers and sisters, we sang to Jesus. Wrapped up by the unhurried and rhythmic Mayan accent we talked and shared tamales and black coffee. Under the zinc roof and dirt floor of Antonio’s wooden shack house with only a table, several chairs and a hammock for furniture; there were no shopping malls, no “ajoro,” (rush), no gifts, no lights, no Christmas tree. There was only the traditional woodstove to warm us and the light of the Milky Way shining in the sky. That Christmas night was a different one! One where I end up in a different place as a human being.
Read MoreThey are privileged to live in a country of privileges. I am privileged unfairly, in a country where opportunities do not exist for all. My brother and sister do not have the same opportunities I have. Why? Youth of my people must migrate for pursuing dreams and new opportunities. Why? Not all of them have the same fate of being successful and their dreams become nightmares.
Read MoreLekil Kuxlejal. Abundant Life. When Dr. Amaury Tañón-Santos had the students at the Mayan Intercultural Seminary (SIM) in Chiapas, Mexico discuss different meanings of the word peace, this term emerged from the students and stood out from the rest.
Read MoreI was elated when I received the invitation from the academic coordinator of SIM, The Rev. Dr. Doris García, to teach a course about biblical peace as found in Pauline literature. The course was going to be taught in a land I’ve only read about – a land I knew at a distance. These teaching ministry partnerships were essential for this experience that, in the end, ended up teaching me more than what I expect was learned in the classroom.
Read MoreThe Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America exceeded its goal of $8,800 and raised $9,137.32 for Conflict Transformation trainings in Chiapas, Mexico.
Read MoreLast November, BPFNA was a companion to 15 young indigenous prophets from Chiapas on a remarkable pilgrimage to El Salvador, to La Tierra de los Martires, the Land of the Martyrs.
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