New Hope
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
Chiapas is one of the two poorest states in Mexico. Viewed largely as an embarrassment to the rest of the nation, Chiapas is unsuccessfully trying to deal with hostile tribes, high illiteracy, and very rugged terrain. Travel is difficult through the subtropical and highland forests, and the existence of many language groups makes it difficult to communicate.
Outside the highland city of San Cristobal de las Casas is the village of San Juan Chamula, where the Chamula tribe resides, growing corn and selling firewood for sustenance. Most keep cattle for milk and meat. Extreme violence, domestic abuse, and an oppressive economy make this a village closed to outsiders.
Many years ago, Christian missionaries moved into this area. They were met with much suspicion and hostility by the Chamulas. But the missionaries did nothing other than observe for many years. The villagers watched as the missionaries grew food, raised their young children, and lived outside the Chamula area. Slowly, the missionaries gained the villagers' trust and began to share with them the good news of Jesus Christ.
These outsiders have influenced the group as they shared their faith with the Chamulas. Some tribal members converted from their pagan religion to a modified Christo-pagan religion common in Christian churches in Chiapas. The new converts renounced violence, spoke against domestic abuse, and created co-ops. But many were met with hostility and some suffered violence and even death.
At first, those who renounced the Chamula way of life were ostracized. Their huts were burned, their cattle killed, and their crops destroyed. Some retracted their statements of faith and returned in shame. Some stood fast in their new faith.
Those who survived started a new village on the other side of the town of San Cristobal de las Casas. Nueva Esperanza, they called it -- "New Hope." New hope that they might be left in peace to worship the same Christ we worship. New hope that their trade cooperatives might be successful enough to sustain them. New hope that their fellow Chamulas might also find peace in knowing Christ.
Our Chamula brothers and sisters received power when the Holy Spirit came upon them and they are able to witness in Chiapas -- and to the ends of the earth.
Outside the highland city of San Cristobal de las Casas is the village of San Juan Chamula, where the Chamula tribe resides, growing corn and selling firewood for sustenance. Most keep cattle for milk and meat. Extreme violence, domestic abuse, and an oppressive economy make this a village closed to outsiders.
Many years ago, Christian missionaries moved into this area. They were met with much suspicion and hostility by the Chamulas. But the missionaries did nothing other than observe for many years. The villagers watched as the missionaries grew food, raised their young children, and lived outside the Chamula area. Slowly, the missionaries gained the villagers' trust and began to share with them the good news of Jesus Christ.
These outsiders have influenced the group as they shared their faith with the Chamulas. Some tribal members converted from their pagan religion to a modified Christo-pagan religion common in Christian churches in Chiapas. The new converts renounced violence, spoke against domestic abuse, and created co-ops. But many were met with hostility and some suffered violence and even death.
At first, those who renounced the Chamula way of life were ostracized. Their huts were burned, their cattle killed, and their crops destroyed. Some retracted their statements of faith and returned in shame. Some stood fast in their new faith.
Those who survived started a new village on the other side of the town of San Cristobal de las Casas. Nueva Esperanza, they called it -- "New Hope." New hope that they might be left in peace to worship the same Christ we worship. New hope that their trade cooperatives might be successful enough to sustain them. New hope that their fellow Chamulas might also find peace in knowing Christ.
Our Chamula brothers and sisters received power when the Holy Spirit came upon them and they are able to witness in Chiapas -- and to the ends of the earth.
