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29 April 2007

Abortion in Mexico

Some of you may have heard on the news about the abortion vote in Mexico City. Up until now, abortion all over Mexico was highly restricted. Only a minuscule number of abortions could be performed legally (such as when the mother’s life was in danger). As a matter of fact, in Latin America only two countries allow abortion on demand – Guyana and Cuba.

The new law, which won by a majority on the 24th of April, decriminalizes abortion, and funds killing the unborn baby that is up to 3 months old. It’s only legal in Mexico City, however. Women will nee to prove they are residents in order to have the procedure.

A lot of people are talking about the paradox of Mexico, a highly Roman Catholic country, legalizing abortion. The Roman Catholic Church stands strongly against abortion, but that stand seemed to have little effect on the vote. Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said,"I have a lot of respect for issues of faith. … But this is a case where the affairs of state reign."

If your God fits in a little box in a small corner of your life, is He really God? Of course, Ebrard used the ambigious word,"faith".

This was a sad prelude to Children’s Day, a big celebration in Mexico.

Mexico is an increasingly secular country that maintains a Roman Catholic culture. I was talking to a Mexican friend (and pastor), and he felt that the laws would continue to be loosened throughout Mexico, and that more abortions would become legal nationwide.

There are countless problems with the practice of abortion. I question why we can arbitrarily decide when a person becomes human. I question its impact on society. I question why mothers aren’t being taken care of properly, and why they often aren’t told the truth about abortion. I pray that the whole family, from conception to old age, will be cared for by the community and come to know a loving God.

26 April 2007

On our way to Taxco

Jim Family, Mexico 3

I love Shari, she loves me, it’s our 10th anniversary!

We’re on our way to Taxco de Alarcón for a couple of days (in the Mexican state of Guerrero). Hannah and Nathanael will be enjoying some parent-free time at their friends’ house here in Cuernavaca. It’s been many years since we’ve been to Taxco, so we’re looking forward to visiting again. As a matter of fact, I think this photo was taken in Taxco. Of course, the photo above is Taxco at night (courtesy of pulpolux).

Taxco is a picturesque town of about 51,000 people known for its hundreds of silver shops, ornate cathedrals and narrow hilly streets. Check out the view of Taxco from space here. If you see us, wave.

We don’t have any specific plans – just planning to take it easy and explore. So we’ll talk to you when we return!

24 April 2007

It doesn’t get any better…

Jim Mexico, Ministry glimpses, Video Blogs 3

Really now – can you think of anything better than baptisms? What a fantastic day, this past Sunday! A celebration of the grace of God. Check it out!

Our church met at the home of our friends, the Casteels. Our pastor performed the baptisms, and we had a guest speaker from our church, Ariel Segura, speaking on Ephesians 2.

21 April 2007

Cultural clips in the photo gallery (and blog)

Jim Mexico 2

If you haven’t visited for a while, be sure to check out our Photo Gallery. I’ve posted a few culture-related photos there, such as…

Paper maché "devils" from Good Friday
Mexican cemeteries – a little album devoted to my visits to a couple of cemeteries around Cuernavaca.
A ceremony for a dead relative at a church in Cuernavaca
Traditional Mexican dancing – 6 photos starting here
Seven photos from Cuernavaca’s main cathedral, starting here. That includes this interesting display of Mary and the snake and priests preparing for mass. Did you know that Mexico’s first "saint" died in Japan? And why Mexico’s early cathedrals have outdoor chapels?

Also, don’t miss the recent blog posts on culture, listed here in order of popularity:

Dennis’ 101 things about Mexico City
Mexican dance
If I’d known, I never would have…
Morelos
The oldest church in Continental America
Mexicoâ€™s Passion Plays
Holy Week Traditions in Mexico

One thing that continues to come to mind as I write and learn about culture here in Mexico is how little I actually know and understand. There is so much to learn, it boggles the mind. I’ve tried to seek to learn and not jump to conclusions. Listening and asking questions – that’s my job these days.

Check these photos and posts out – you can leave comments either place. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.

19 April 2007

Holy Week Traditions in Mexico

Jim Mexico 1

We learned a lot this year about some things that go on during Holy Week here in Mexico. Here are a few more pictures from the TV coverage here in Mexico.

Take for example these guys. These were for sale all over Mexico – paper maché figures that represent Judas Iscariot (but look generally like devils. In a tradition that is familiar to many other countries as well, the figures are purchased on Good Friday and then BLOWN UP the next day (or Sunday). Kaboom.

Judas figures to be blown up on Saturday

I have a picture of these figures for sale in our photo gallery.

Another tradition is the Saturday morning water fight. I think back in the day it had something to do with purification, but generally now it’s just a lot of water and no rules. Ironically enough, not knowing about this tradition, I staged a little water fight in our yard for Hannah and Nathanael. Funny considering my previous experience on March 21st. Do I have a 6th sense for these things, or what?

Of course there’s a lot of ritual in the Roman Catholic Churches.

Bishop of Cuernavaca with statue of Jesus

Bishop of Cuernavaca and the figure of Jesus with the cross

A procession carries the figure of Jesus through the streets of Cuernavaca

In Mexico, what is often called Easter weekend is a time for penance. People will put themselves through some pretty uncomfortable things in order to try to have sins forgiven, to gain favour with God, to help pay for the sin of those who have gone before, or to gain miracles for themselves or their community. This sometimes involves things like processions, crawling on your knees to the church, or walking barefoot on the cobblestone streets. It’s often a public affair, but in some cases faces are covered.

A hooded man going through a ritual.
As you can see in the photo below, he is chained and goes barefoot.

Children prepare for a procession

The last few photos are a little more disturbing. These next photos are, I believe, from Taxco. In the TV logo below you can see what you’ll see in the following photos in real life.

One of the more unusual forms of penance in Taxco involves carrying heavy stalks covered in thorns through the streets. Done after a lot of preparation and the support of friends and family, these men walk in agony through the streets trying to purify themselves and their communities of sin. The following two photos show the real thing.

More common throughout the world is the practice of whipping yourself ritually. I purposely chose a "bloodless" picture, but normally after some time of whipping there are two large bloody patches on each person’s back. The whipping alternates from side to side, and like the ritual above is incredibly painful. I won’t say any more.

This all brings us back to the question – what is the cross of Christ really about? What did His death and resurrection accomplish? Many people today still don’t understand what it’s all about. Some of those people are incredibly devoted, others ignore it all together. And yet there are few (if any) questions more important. Please pray for Mexico.

17 April 2007

Mexico’s Passion Plays

Jim Mexico, News and current issues 0

I’m going to do two photo journals on some of the events around Holy Week (Easter) here in Mexico. I’m posting some shots of the TV coverage (this was going to be a video blog, but due to technical difficulties we’re sticking with the stills).

All over Mexico, every year, there are passion plays – depictions of His crucifixion and resurrection, and the time leading up to them. Some of these are small local affairs, but some, such as those in Taxco and Iztapalapa (near Mexico City) are massive events. Over a million (perhaps over 2 million) people come to Iztapalapa each year for this.

The events are acted in sequence in real time, including the last supper on Thursday. But Friday is the biggest show – the crucifixion. This is the biggest Good Friday event of its kind in the world.

TV coverage of the event

An announcer along the route where "Jesus" will pass carrying the cross

The crowds and cast members assemble. This is an aerial view – those dots are people. 😉

The entire community is involved in the production. There are costumes, horses, the whole bit. I should add that not everything here is entirely "fake". The actor cast as Jesus must have serious physical stamina to endure beatings, a very heavy cross and significant time on the cross.

Many people actually ask the actor portraying Jesus for a miracle. Though they realize he is an actor, they believe God will answer them because of their devotion. In the same way, many of the several hundred actors are looking for miracles, or believe they have been directed by God to be a part of the play.

Pontius Pilot speaks to the crowd

Aerial shot of "Jesus" being beaten by the Roman soldiers. Notice the angel on the left.

"Jesus" on the way to Gologtha, and I think the woman represents his mother Mary. She’s holding his mic.

With all these realistic props, it’s quite a shock to all of a sudden see Jesus being interviewed by a reporter!

This is not just about the passion of Jesus. There’s quite a party atmosphere nearby – balloons, food, beer, and secular music. Quite a contrast to the somber scenes being portrayed!

Throughout the day, they interviewed a lot of people who were visiting Iztapalapa or Taxco or wherever. Of course I could only understand so much, but there were quite a range of responses to the event.

Woman meditates on the event. Some people really took the time to consider Jesus’ suffering, though how many really understand what it means is another question. Many commented that this was an important "cultural" event for Mexico and the Roman Catholic Church.

Other people said that they just came as a family tradition, or that they simply enjoyed the time with friends.

A thief on one of the crosses

At the moment of death, and angel above the cross releases a dove.

Read more about the Iztapalapa passion play here. In the next photo journal, I’ll write a little more about other Mexican traditions during Holy Week.

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