Some of you outside of Mexico may have heard news of the terrible explosion that occurred east of Mexico City. Although we didn’t know anyone that was killed or injured, there is a personal connection.
It happened in the town of Jesús Tepactepec, east of Mexico City, about an hour or so from us. Most communities have a saint or an image that they honour in a special annual festival. In the case of Jesús Tepactepec it’s an image, called Padre Jesús de los Tres Caminos (Father Jesus of the Three Roads).
The yearly celebration was underway on Friday. Pilgrims seeking favour from the image were going through the streets carrying fireworks, along with a truck full of fireworks. Something ignited – and the whole thing exploded.
I won’t go into details, but this was a horrible, gruesome accident. More than a dozen people died, and over 150 were injured. Since the initial accident, several more have died from their injuries.
The personal connection is that some of the dead and injured are relatives of our Pastor in Jesús MarÃa, Ismael. He and his wife went over the weekend to help the family, and I believe they will be going back this week.
So please do pray for Ismael and Marta, as they try to help and comfort and share with family and friends. In a community like this, everyone knows someone who has been killed or injured. It will be a long time – a very long time – before the community comes close to recovering from such a terrible accident.
