Pray for Mexico on Sunday, January 5, 2014

Lectionary Selection: Matthew 2:1–12

Prayers for Mexico:
God, just like the magi, please give us the wisdom to seek you, the light to guide us to you, the generosity to lay our gifts before you, the love to open our hearts to you, the faith to live in your word, and the graciousness to worship you forever. God, may we be like the magi who traveled afar to see you, worship you, and give you precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Almighty, may we also give our gifts to you this day.

At INESIN, God, we pray for peace as they seek to end the tensions between Catholics and Protestants in the Chiapas region. We also pray for INESIN as they seek funds to help build a multipurpose room to provide a larger space to hold ecumenical workshops and camps for the people of Chiapas. We pray that, together, we can work with our United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) friends so that INESIN can reach their goals and share their gifts with the people of Chiapas. Amen and Amen.

Mission Stewardship Moment from Mexico:
Instituto de Estudios e Investigación Intercultural (INESIN) offers many Youth in Training ecumenical weekend camps throughout the year. These camps offer programs to train youth in many different areas, depending on the camps themes. I recently attended one that focused on teaching the youth about taking care of the earth. The students learned how to make their own compost, plant an organic garden, build a solar oven and solar water heater, conserve water, and recycle plastics properly.

These weekend programs also connect them to their Mayan roots, teaching them about the Mayan view of the environment and the universe. Students learn about their heritage which expands their sense of self-worth, underscores their accountability for their actions, and offers a new vision into their ancient spirituality.

Each day and night, the youth participate in devotions. One, in particular, really spoke to me, 1 Corinthians 3, a verse traditionally read at weddings. Here in Chiapas, this verse holds a different meaning. They view this verse not only as the love between two people, but the love of all of God’s creation; the trees, the rivers, the animals, the seeds, and even the tiniest little insect. This same view of all creation serves as a reminder for INESIN youth to seek the goal of peace as they work to end tensions between Protestants and Catholics here in the Chiapas region. A goal worthy for each and every effort in this New Year.

(Prayer and Mission Moment by Lindsey Mercer)

Mission Partners in Mexico:

More information on Mexico : http://globalministries.org/lac/countries/mexico/

Global Ministries Missionary in Mexico:

Lindsey Mercer, a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Bem, Missouri, serves with the Institute for Intercultural Studies and Research (INESIN) in Chiapas, Mexico, where she works as the assistant to the Program for Institutional Strengthening.