INESIN 2007 Report

The Institute for Cultural Studies and Research (INESIN) has focused its ecumenical efforts on the need for dialogue and understanding among intercultural groups so they can define and articulate their understanding of God, faith, truth, and other aspects of the divine. In 2007, INESIN held a series of workshops on the topics of spirituality, theology, community reinforcement, and support. Groups from diverse communities were trained with the purpose of their taking what they have learned back to the grassroots of their communities. For many, this is the only way they receive an education.

Workshop titles included: God in the Motherland; Indigenous Theology in Pastoral Care; Human-Spiritual Development for Lay Servants; Systematic Indigenous Theology; Theological Dialogue: Mayans, Mexicans and Yucatans; Preventing Domestic Violence, Women of the Bible and Paul; Women Prophets of the Old Testament; Mission Ministry in the Church; Summer School of Theology; Intercultural Conflicts and Nonviolent Resolutions and Ecumenical Dialogues on Violence and Death. In addition to these educational events, INESIN sponsored and organized several spiritual retreats and intercultural worship events. Groups included indigenous groups from Zinacantán, Margaritas, San Cristóbal , Chiapas Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Ocosingo, Chanmic Huixtán , Oaxaca , and Juchitán. Over 1,000 persons participated in these events.

INESIN works closely with churches, communities and individuals to help develop community leadership at the grassroots level. Moreover, INESIN works with leaders who are responsible for nurturing the education and faith development of their communities. Workshops and community events were held in 2007 on child and youth development, environmental care, and conservation. Work groups helped those still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Stan, and provided Vacation Bible School events and ecological and natural history tours. The work groups helped build water containment sites, helped build homes, and helped start protective measures for marine turtle habitats in Puerto Arista. These events are educational as well as recreational, and help to build cohesiveness and solidarity among the groups that interact. All events were intergenerational.

Other achievements include collaboration with the Baptist Seminary of Mexico-Chiapas Extension, the Intercultural Mayan Seminary, and UNITE of Bolivia with student and leadership exchanges. INESIN personnel were able to participate in various continuing education events, among them at the School for Peace, Center for Ecumenical Studies, and the Agape Ecumenical Center in Italy .

INESIN expresses its gratitude to Global Ministries for the funds that helped support the ministry of education, research and dialogue.

Translated and edited by:
Office of Resource Development
Global Ministries
P.O. Box 1986
Indianapolis , IN 46206
Tel: (317) 713-2555
Fax: (317) 635-4323
gifts@dom.disciples.org

SiPaz Report-Rev. Griebler's Report from Chiapas

Dear Ones - I'm home safe from Chiapas. There's surely a piece of my heart that lives in Latin America. It was good to be there even for a little while. And it was a short little whirlwind trip. I was there for a board meeting of SiPaz (International Service for Peace) and to meet with Congregational and Disciple of Christ pastors from Northern Mexico who were visiting Chiapas and our mission partners at IMM and Global Ministries invitation.

Lots of meetings, including one with all 14 cabinet ministers from the state of Chiapas. Had to wonder why the governor wanted his entire cabinet to spend the day with SiPaz? Perhaps to portray an image of concern for human rights. Too bad the reality says different. Most of my meetings were with the board of SiPaz, this incredible little international coalition that provides critical presence, reliable information and works to build a culture of peace in Chiapas. Which is still one of those strategic places where you can measure the social temperature of world.

The conflict in Chiapas smolders still. Where the movement for autonomy among the indigenous people is strongest (the Northern Zone – which is where the ancient Mayan site Palenque is located) the military and paramilitaries have increased their presence. The Protestant churches are fanning the flames once again, pastors preaching that Zapistasta supporters and communities are devil-possessed. And that the devil must be driven out. Not that the churches are causing the conflict – it’s rooted in issues around land and power and access to strategic resources. Not surprisingly, expulsions are on the rise and fear grows that the situation is ripe for more Acteal-type massacres. (Back in 1997 paramilitaries killed 47 people who were gathered in a church praying for peace in the town of Acteal. The victims were members of Las Abejas, a group committed to active non-voilence that supports the Zapatistas’s goals, if not always their means. Many of the victims were women - 4 were pregnant - and children. The killing spree took place over 5 hours. A military installation was just a football field's length away, but no one came to intervene and stop the killing. Which leaves one to presume that the military chose not to respond and so is complicit in the crime.) SiPaz is one of the groups that works to lessen tensions and to actively build a culture of peace. I’d say we’ll be in business for a while.

See, there's oil in them there hills. And quite a lot. And uranium, fresh water (think hydro-electric dams), rich bio-diversity of cloud forest, rain forest and jungle(think pharmaceuticals), natural beauty & Mayan cultural sites (think eco-tourism). The Mexican government and the trans-national corporations are interested in clearing out most of the indigenous communities to make way for development. This is what the trade agreements from NAFTA to CAFTA to Plan Pueblo Panama are all about. Phase 1 is an Indian removal project to be sure. Of course, some co-operative indigenous communities will be allowed to remain and make a show of their authentic Mayan culture for the tourists. The Zapatista autonomous communities aren't planning on co-operating with the various free trade agreements. At the very least they will not just roll over. They want to have a say, now and into the future. Their resistance - which has taken the form of active non-violence - is more than admirable - really courageous, creative and inspirational.

If you or your congregation would like to see pictures or hear more about this, just ask and I will be happy to talk with you or even a group that’s interested. I can be reached at St. Michael's United Church of Christ, 630/231-0687.

Excerpt from INESIN Newsletter

*Spring Renewal*

During these first months of 2007, several new ways of working have arisen inside of the already established projects of INESIN. Or better said, new ways of seeing our work appeared which allowed us to discover new manners, always richer, to walk towards a world with Peace and Justice for all.

In April we welcomed a new fellow worker, Raphael Gallay from Switzerland. He is working in the area of Community Building (or Strengthening Communities), accompanying transforming processes of through visits and workshops on care of the environment to children and adolescents in communities of the mountainous boarder region of Chiapas. We hope that his path with INESIN will flourish and be full of blessings.

In the same month of April another companion of Switzerland, Laurent Gaberell, finished his work at INESIN and left for his homeland. We’d like to thank him very much for his commitment and we wish him the best for his future, wherever he will be.

After that, we had some very busy summer months with a variety of activities. This meant that there was a lot to do for everyone on the staff, but at the same time there were very rich moments of sharing experiences with sisters and brothers from both here and far away.

So we continue following this path, convinced of the need to work and struggle in order to make "another world possible "....

Thank You from INESIN

INESIN FRIENDS... THE UCC PASTORS,

We're deeply thankful with You, for your solidarity to us. Our commitment is with Chiapas, but also with You, because we think that INESIN Proyect has been in your hearts from beginning. We'll continue working energetically for peace in Chiapas, with the confidence that the borders don't can to separate the love; nor religions, nor color, nor policy, because the love is of God.

The money that You'll send to us, will be of great help to us.

God bless You.

Greetings.

Ernesto Martín Guerrero Zavala
INESIN co-ordinator

Letter from Anne Roulet of INESIN

Dear friends,

The Peace of God be in your hearts. Thanks a lot for your responses to our last message. Now we have very good news we want to share with you:

We received the deed documents yesterday; INESIN now fully and legally owns its land!!!!!!

Many thanks to all and every one of you for walking hand in hand with INESIN during all these years. We are all so grateful for this and for the opportunity to finally have these documents done and legally approved. We surely now face new challenges in terms of financial sustainability but we believe that everything is possible with patience, dedication and of course the help your prayers.

Thanks again for everything and we’ll be in touch before the end of the month.

Blessings,

For INESIN:

Anne