June 2006 Mexico

Ana & Scott Wester – working with friends in Latin America
Loving the Forgotten, in communities around the World

Thanks to everyone who visited Ensenada for our wedding, and those who responded with congratulatory emails. Our hearts are overflowing with appreciation for your friendship and love.

May 2006

We had no idea what God had in store for us, as we set off in our 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon with a map & an eventual destination of Chiapas (the southern most state in Mexico), other than that, we had no plans for our honeymoon.

We encountered a number of surprises along the way as we passed through 19 states of Mexico (there are 31); from breaking down on the second day (in Sonora, 100+ degrees), to a run in with an angry funeral procession in Mitla, (drunk men were literally beating on our van and attempting to open Ana’s door), to witnessing an incredible thunder/ lightning storm at 3am in Zihuatanejo, and later waking up to three inches of standing water in the hotel room.

Yet nothing prepared us for what we experienced in San Martin Perez, a small village perched on the top of a beautiful mountain range, six-hours northeast from the city of Oaxaca. A village mostly devoid of men and women (most have crossed the border to work in the US, and only return once or twice a year).

We had travelled there to visit our friends Emily & Raul, and some of the neighboring villages of indigenous people, that make up much of the state, of Oaxaca.

Raul & Emily invited us to have dinner with them in the home of Juan & Mari, an elderly couple, caring for four of their 30 grandchildren. They live in a traditional, rural Mexican house: Adobe walls (bricks made from the local earth, on-site), dirt floor, scrap roof (old plastic & other materials), no water, little electricity (one light bulb), and a fire on the floor (for heat & cooking).

The first thing we noticed as we were greeted was the broad smile and sparkling eyes of Mari, a stark contrast to the dimly lit house. Her smile was child-like, especially for a woman in her late seventies. Juan spoke for both of them, since Mari only speaks Mixteco (their indigenous language). Juan shared with us an account of his last “border crossing” (a trip requiring a three-day walk through the desert of Arizona), which he said was probably his last, since he is now in his eighties and his knees aren’t that young anymore. While we visited, Mari prepared eggs, beans & hand-made tortillas over the fire, and I couldn’t help but stare as she would move around scalding pots & the burning timbers with her bare hands.

They were giving us the best of everything they had, and eating the scraps. Every time one of Mari’s tortillas was burned or not perfect, she would give it to Juan or one of the grandkids. But, with every near-perfect tortilla, she would present to us, with a smile & eyes speaking a powerful message, her most precious offering.

As we visited with Juan and Mari over the next three days, eating until our bellies ached and sipping many cups of instant coffee mixed with brown water, we spent hours talking about family, culture, our mutual love for Jesus, and our bond as citizens of one nation (a Kingdom nation).

As we said our good-bye, Mari put something in Ana’s hand. As Ana realized it was money and looked up in bewilderment, Juan said, “it’s an offering, for gas or whatever you need on your trip, and greet our brothers & sisters in Baja.”

As we stepped out of their house, we hugged each other and wept. I recognized a whispering in my heart;
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself”. Mark 12: 30 & 31
“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home…. I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” Matthew 25:35 & 40
Mari loved us with the knowledge, that as she loved us, she also loved Jesus, her Lord.

We were being loved without regard for self, in order to love the Jesus in us. They were giving of all of their precious treasure, in order to love us & Him.

June 2006

A week later, as we visited the community of Chamula, outside of San Cristobal, in the higher elevation of Chiapas; we were looking into the faces of many children and adults, who desperately need this love of Jesus.

The indigenous of Chiapas are forgotten. Chiapas is one of the richest states in Mexico, with regard to its resources (oil & biodiversity), yet its indigenous people are among the poorest in Mexico. The city of San Cristobal de las Casas, is where the Zapatista revolution was focused (a takeover by the Mayan Indians, in 1994), and Chamula is the ceremonial center for the indigenous people (more than 40,000 in the surrounding area).

Our mission as we go two by two, is to Love the Forgotten, in communities around the World. As we left Chiapas, we knew we had just been introduced to a community of forgotten people, we can love, in the way Juan & Mari loved us.

Please pray with us, as we continue to build relationships & connect people in Mexico and around the world, in the spirit of, Jesus of Nazareth.

Upcoming Trips:
July [Chihuahua] (about 300 mi. south of Texas) to be with friends & love the Tarahumara indigenous people, as we help “behind the scenes”, organize a three-day festival.

September – November [Chiapas], Ana & I hope to visit more communities surrounding San Cristobal and Chamula, as well as communities further south rebuilding from hurricane damage.

Pray for our friendships in Mexico:
David & Karen Garcia / Brian & Sue McCoy / Jonathan & Maggie Salgado / Grez & Teri Littlefield / Raul & Emily Castro / Danny & Joy VanNess / Juan & Karrie Ambrosio / Adan & Blanca Lopez / Enrique & Irma Pena / Oswaldo & Gloria Chacon / Daniel & Angela Camacho

And the many families & children we know in the villages of:
(Ensenada) Mandadero, Las Flores, El Zorrillo, Lomas Bonitas
(Chihuahua) Napuchis, Samachique, Corariachi
(Oaxaca) San Martin Perez, Juxtlahuaca, San Juan, San Martin de las Flores

Thank you for being our friends, we love you,

Ana & Scott Wester