Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July/93

Contributor - Rev. Charles Webster

Title - The Charm Of Chiapas

Topic - Missions

Chiapas - Mexico's poorest state borders on Guatemala. Its rugged spectacular landscape includes tree covered mountains, lush valleys, high water falls and tropical rainforest in the east. Arnold Schwartzeneger chose the Tulija Falls for one of his stunts. The state can also boast of some of the best preserved ruins, King Pakal's tomb at Palenque. Chiapas is also the focus of some of the most successful mission work of the Reformed Church sixteen people participated in a mission study tour of Chiapas between March 3rd to 11th, under the enthusiastic leadership of the Rev. Henry Stegenga from Zeeland, Michigan. Henry, a former missionary among the Ch'ol, the writer is convinced, left his heart in Chiapas! The opportunity of learning about missions was too much to resist!

It was exciting to meet, hear and observe the work of our missionaries: Meerdink's, Sterk's, Schreuder's, Meyerink's, Hoffman's, Renes', DeBoer's. The Schout's are mission volunteers who were the hosts for the mission house in San Cristobal De Las Casas.

The visit with Paul & Dorothy Meyerink was emotion filled, because they were leaving the next day, after 36 years at the Tzeltal Bible School in Buenos Aires. Now they are retired in Henereta, New York. They left behind a Bible School fully administered by the Tzeltal's, and translations of the Old Testament and the Westminster Confession in Tzeltal.

On Sunday we joined Betania Presbyterian Church for their worship. It was an awesome sight looking over the 800 worshippers, all the women in their blue shawl's, looking like a sea of blue. The people from the village of Betania have all paid dearly for their faith as they were burned out of their homes several years ago because of their faith in Christ. Church World Service put up the money to buy the land for the resettlement camp. Their mission concern was demonstrated by paying back the Reformed Church, in order that other dispossessed people might be helped. Betania is probably typical of the Presbyterian Church growth, with this charge of 14 preaching stations being divided into two pastoral charges. The elders preach and lead worship. It is interesting to note that healing services are a regular worship in many congregations.

The Presbyterian Churches in Chiapas seem to be dynamic, and maturing quickly through persecution. Chiapas has recently become a synod with seven Presbyteries: three Spanish and four Indian. Gene Meerdink is excited about the new media and printing centre for the Synod of Chiapas, made possible through P.I.M. funds.

The new religious freedom legislation places the Mexican church at another crossroad. Under this act all congregations must be registered, giving their membership numbers. The Protestants (Evangelicals) are expecting that their true numbers will be much larger than the government has acknowledged, hence it can no longer be neglected. However, there is fear that the Roman Catholic Church will use its size, money and freedom with a new militancy. Although it was exciting to see indigenous leadership taking over the work once the domain of the missionary, being raised up, the national Presbyterian Church still need our prayers at this critical time in their history. The church is still very much in need of our prayers, in view of new realities. They are still very much de pendent upon our financial assistance. Why don't you consider going on the next mission tour that Henry will be organizing?

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