Death & Life in Mexico

Mission work has been fraught with risk from the beginning & Mexico is no exception. Reaching tribal groups in the Sierras was always risky due to the lawlessness inherent in the mountains. That lawlessness has now spread to the cities. Between the violence of criminal cartels, the government’s efforts to stop them & general crime having grown explosively, modern Mexico has become a dangerous place.

However, neither foreigners nor missionaries are being specifically targeted by the cartels. Sadly, street crime knows no such boundaries. David is a member of the team that monitors the situation, plans responses & provides counsel to the field on how to wisely & safely continue ministering in Mexico. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Pro 11:14)

A recent event illustrates the importance of such a ministry: Gunfire erupted at the park in front of our mission as 2 vehicles engaged in a running gun battle. The driver of one was shot dead, causing his vehicle to crash into the middle of the park. Three survivors jumped from the vehicle & ran for their lives, firing back over their shoulders at their pursuers. David witnessed this event & was awed by how quickly DEATH struck & another soul was blasted into eternity (see photo above).

By being “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” amongst the wolves (Mat 10:16), we’re able to see New Tribes’ church-planting efforts continue in Mexico.

One recent Sunday, six new tribal believers were baptized in a mountain stream. Before their community, they identified with the new LIFE they had received in Christ. Pray for them as they live for Christ in the midst of a culture corrupted by lawlessness & violence.

Although some of the tribal areas in which we work are too risky to live in right now, those works happen to already have churches planted & are in the Bible-translation phase. By God’s grace, the translation work continues on in safer locations.

Despite the general violence, New Tribes is still able to start new tribal works. The most recent of which is with a tribe high in the Sierras who are direct descendants of the Aztecs.

Please continue praying for us that the Lord’s work may continue here in Mexico, & that the souls saved & churches planted may abound to His glory! Without your partnership through prayer & finances the work would not be possible. It’s encouraging to know that we’re not alone in this work. Thank you very much for being a part of our missionary team!