Pray for the growing
number of displaced
families in Mexico.
Christians in several Mexican municipalities are continuing to face harassment and expulsion by the country's traditionalist leaders. In early January, believers residing within the municipality of Las Margaritas, located in the southern state of Chiapas, found themselves destitute after their homes were destroyed by armed village leaders who had threatened them for the duration of ten months prior to the incident.
President of VOM Mexico, Luis Antonio Herrera, reports that the nine families had been threatened by village authorities since April of 2015, warning them of consequences if they refused to change their religious affiliation. In October, each adult belonging to the evangelical Christian group was fined $190 for not signing a letter of confirmation indicating the required change. On December 15th, a final ultimatum was given in which the church members were to provide evidence of the mandated conversion. By the afternoon, it was reported that seven of the Christians had been imprisoned for not complying with the village leaders' orders.
Although those held in confinement were released two days later, Luis Herrera adds that on January 4th, 2016, the Christians' refusal to comply had resulted in the burning of their homes and their families' forceful expulsion from the community. This is only one of several such cases involving severe unjust treatment by leaders of traditionalist communities.
In the municipalities of Venustiano Carranza, Cuahtemoc Cardenas, San Jose Yashtinin, and Buena Vista Bahuitz, families are contending with opposing local authorities in their efforts to regain access to electricity and water after being discriminately disconnected. While some of these struggles have been ongoing since 2012, there has yet to be any meaningful recognition of their plight or practical help provided by regional authorities. Previous reports can be reviewed at this page.
Let's uphold these believers in the various mentioned municipalities of Mexico who've faced numerous challenges due to the discrimination and harassment imposed on their families by the traditionalists' unwarranted mandates. Ask God to convict the hearts of the local authorities whose acts of injustice are causing much undue hardship for the Christian members of their communities. Pray that the victimized believers will be granted much more than justice. Most of all, may the love of Christ ultimately prevail in and through the lives of all who are involved in this spiritual struggle (1 Cor. 13:13).
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