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Drug violence in Mexico escalates, hinders ministry

Drug traffickers in Mexico's North are sowing deadly chaos. The U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning to the area, reports MNN.

Last week, shootouts between police and suspected drug gang members could be heard around the city of Monterrey. These same gangs also hijacked cars to set up scores of roadblocks.

Ron and Bonnie Hipwell with The Mission Society are teaching at John Wesley Seminary in Monterey. Of the impact on their teaching work, Ron says, "It is limiting some of the activities--that's where the impact is. It's difficult to carry on ministry in the local church or mission work."

Bonnie Hipwell says it is stifling churches, too. "People usually work till about 8:00 at night, and then they have time to go participate in their cell groups or their praise team practices."

Mission Society missionaries continue efforts in rural areas around Monterrey. They host short-term teams and work together with Mexican nationals to minister through cell churches, outreaches to women and children in the impoverished barrios, and service to the "garbage people"--some of Mexico's poorest who survive by gathering items that might be useful from garbage trucks.

However, because the trouble is escalating, short-term teams are canceling their trips. Ron says a team from a Baptist seminary cancelled their trip on Monday night. While it is disappointing, Ron says it may well be a time of growth for the church. "The churches can depend on each other, and maybe not so much on missionaries coming in or short-term teams to complete what God wants them to do."

Change is coming. In 1810, Mexico declared its independence from Spain. 100 years later, Mexico was in revolution and spent years freeing itself from civil war. In 2010, Mexico celebrates its bicentennial. Bonnie says the church is continuing in the freedom theme. She says Christians are praying that "2010 can be the year that God creates the revolution, and it's a spiritual revolution, and not a political one. "

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TAGS: Mexico drug traffickers The Mission Society missionaries evangelism

[03/25/2010]

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