Wichita Christian News and Information

Mexico has been a popular destination for American churches for decades due to its location, ease of admission and great need. 2010 saw unprecedented killings by drug cartels, however, that could slow missionary outreach efforts into that impoverished nation south of the US border.  An estimated 35,000 people have died from the fighting, including more than 2,000 law enforcement officers, and there are no signs the violence has slowed.

For one Newton, Kan church the violence hasn't hindered its passion to serve the needy in that country. Pastor Steve Friesen, head of the Amigo Trece Team at Grace Community Church (GCC), says God has given him a peace about the situation. “My anxiety was two months ago when people were encouraging us not to go.” Still, he solicited the prayers of the congregation during services on Sunday.

The first team leaves for Children’s Haven International Children’s Home (CHI) in Reynosa, Mexico on Sunday, February 27. Twenty-seven people are registered to participate including women and children.

The annual trip comes just twelve days after U.S. special agent Jaime Zapata was gunned down by Zeta drug cartel members. Mr. Zapata and his partner, Agent Victor Avilia, were returning to Mexico City after attending training in Monterrey when their armored SUV was chased off the road and sprayed with gunfire. Mr. Avilia survived, but endured multiple gunshots to the legs leaving him to attend his partner’s funeral in a wheelchair.

Pastor Friesen says participants are trusting CHI to keep leaders informed about potential security issues.  “[CHI] will decide if it’s not safe. They have taken precautions.”

Last year, the Amigo Team, provided funding for CHI to build a gate around the children’s home for better protection. Pastor Friesen says the team will not go beyond the premises into the city of Reynosa.

This year will mark the thirteenth trip to CHI for the Amigo Team. “We’re committed to this ministry,” Friesen says, “We have a long history.”

The second team, Mission Mexico, will be comprised of high school students from GCC. So far, nine students are registered for the trip and more are expected to sign up within the next month.

Some parents hope things will settle down by the time the Mission Mexico team leaves for Reynosa in June, and are allowing their children the option of going. “I’m encouraging my daughter to pray about it, and really listen to the Lord’s guidance,” says Becky Esch—mother of incoming freshman, Rachel Esch.

Still, some parents struggle with the thought of allowing their children to go. Kalisa Veer is a sophomore and also a member of the band who will lead worship on the trip. “My father is still not sure if he will allow me to go to Mexico in light of everything,” she said.

Student Ministries Director, Pastor Brian Siriwardena, is heading up the Mission Mexico team and says he is excited about taking the students outside of their comfort zone and into another country. The children’s safety is of utmost importance and the team is taking precautions as it relies on CHI to provide frequent updates.

The overwhelming response from GCC is “… [CHI] needs us,” says Pastor Friesen. For that reason, the mission teams will answer the call to serve in Mexico even in the face of danger.

Christina Siriwardena is a student at Dallas Theological Seminary where she is pursuing her Masters in Media and Communication. She is currently an intern at Christian Press and a copyeditor for her church. When she’s not writing, she devotes her time to mentoring teenage girls. She resides in Kansas with her husband and two dogs.