Very much, I value your prayers, so God may bring His peace with justice to Chiapas, and that this educational project, in the process of becoming, may be used as an instrument of the kingdom of God.

The Baptist Seminary of Mexico approved the opening of its first regional center in Chiapas to put it to the service of the native Tzotziles and Tzeltales Mayan people and of the evangelical world in general. Prof. Ricardo Mayol and Prof. Doris J García have the privilege to serve as leaders of this project.

In Simojovel and Chalchihuitan, the private farms that once operated for more than 100 years were dismantled for the Tzotzil peasant movement. Today, those who were previously the maids and slaves of the finqueros are owners of the land. In this zone, we are connected with the Baptist churches, and we glimpse efforts of collaboration with other denominations also present.

In Yajalon, Chilon and Ocosingo, Tzeltal zone, the tension of the militarization is strongly felt. On one side, you see soldiers of the army and the groups of mercenaries, and of the other side, the autonomous municipalities and the resistance of the zapatistas. In this zone, we have the church of Yajalon, mother of many congregations, a strong church, seeking and finding its missiological challenge.

San Cristobal de las Casas was known as the Royal City, exclusive space of the Coletos, that is to say, of the children of the conquerors. These are Spanish speakers, who do not recognize themselves as heirs of the Mayan people of the Mexican Southwest. The natives have repossessed this city, and for them its name is Jobel. Since the seventies, Jobel became the refuge of natives displaced and expelled by traditional caciques. These immigrants settled down in a permanent way, and thus San Cristobal acquired a Mayan color and flavor.

It is in this periphery, with these native people, and with the multiple organizations established in the city that we are exploring ministerial roads. Together with them, we are dreaming of the recognition of the other as a certain step toward the peace. Together with you, we are proclaiming the coming of God's kingdom.

• We are learning the Mayan tongues, Tzeltal and Tzotzil.
• We are investigating with planning teams the internal dynamics of the churches, their communities and regional environment. This study will establish the profile of the educational project that will help the churches to be a sign and instrument of the kingdom in the Chiapas context.
• We are offering some training in themes that the churches requested of us: ministry to the youth and children, native liturgy and spirituality, and administration of community and church organizations.
• We are establishing contacts with churches and social groups that could be allies to the project in San Cristobal, Guatemala, Mexico and America Latina.
• We anticipate a center that will prepare church leaders with pertinent theology and ministry appropriate to the native reality, and with capabilities to promote the development of their communities and the exercise of civic responsibility.