Christian Implicated In Fight; Faces Imprisonment


Literacy work with the Zapotec Indians is an on-going endeavour.
 In January 2003, the translation of
the New Testament was completed by SIL.
To see an example of the Zaptec language
and listen to the Lord's Prayer, click here.
(Picture from Bethany Bible Fellowship) 

Sources for The Voice of the Martyrs in Mexico have asked for prayer for Macario, a Zapotec Indian in Oaxaca State. He was in court on May 31 for supposedly being involved in a brawl where a man lost his eye. He is facing nine years in prison. According to sources in the village, one of his companions was actually involved in the fight and not Macario.

In the last few years, Macario has befriended and was directly involved in bringing Christian foreigners into this village which was previously closed to any foreigners. He has even gone so far as renting his home to them. The foreigners have been in the process of learning the Zapotec language and beginning the process of putting the language into a written format and developing literacy materials.

Christians in the village state that Macario has been implicated because he brought these foreigners into the village. Their presence is seen as a threat to the religion of the area. If he is imprisoned, it is very possible that this would mean the end of their work among the Zapotec.

Please pray for Macario and the work of the Lord among Zapotec Indians. For more information about the situation facing Christians in Mexico, click here.

The Lord's Prayer Isthmus Zapotec 

9 Peru laatu la? sicarí nga lainí' né Dios:
Bixhoze du ni nuu ibá',
rinaba du gusisaca irá binni lii.
Ne idxiña dxi guni mandar lu'
10 ne gaca ni na lu'.
Cásica raca ni ibá',
zaqueca gaca ni ndaani guidxilayú.
11 Dané laadu endaró tidi né du dxi.
12 Bisiaanda ni ruché' né du lii,
casi rusia'nda du ni ruchee né cabe laadu.
13 Ne cadi udiiu lugar cuba yu binidxaba laadu,
sínuque bilá laadu de lu ná be.
Purti lii nga jma nandxó' lo'
ne jma risaca lu que irá xixé,
ne qué ziuu dxi guiaana dxí lu de guni mandar lu'.
Amén.

From SIL Mexico

Click Here to Listen

  • Country Information

    Population
    129,875,529 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) (62), Predominantly Amerindian (21), Amerindian (7), other (10)

    Religion (%)
    Roman Catholic/Syncretism (78) Evangelical (11.2) unaffiliated (10.6)

    Leader
    President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (2024)

    Government type
    Federal presidential republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system with US constitutional law influence; judicial review of legislative acts

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Mexico

    Pray that the Christians residing within these regions will exemplify the grace of God toward those who oppose them. May these believers be further strengthened and encouraged to continue faithfully sharing the Gospel and demonstrating the love of Jesus. Ask the Lord to abundantly bless and multiply their efforts, resulting in a great harvest of lasting spiritual fruit in the lives of those within their communities and beyond – impacting the nation of Mexico as a whole.

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