Winter Newsletter 2009 by Luke

The sleepy town of Cuernavaca where we live, known as “The Land of Eternal Spring” and a traditional vacation spot for many living in Mexico City, has recently garnered top international headline news. On Wednesday, December 16, the Mexican federal government captured and killed Arturo Beltrán Leyva, one of the top three most-wanted drug lords in Mexico’s war on drugs, in a high-rise condominium complex a short drive from our house. If you have yet to see the news, please see the following link to the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/world/americas/18mexico.html?ref=world

Let me start by saying that Andrea and I, along with those we are responsible for and to here in Mexico, are safe doing just fine. We learned of the news Thursday morning and have been keeping tabs on what has unfolded since. Quite frankly, not much more has happened, but we do realize that anytime such a large player in the drug business is arrested or killed, there is a vacuum created that will inevitably be filled. Filling the void left by Leyva’s death will undoubtedly be violent. So, in this Advent season, we wait. We wait to see when, what, and where this deadly violence might erupt.

With this in mind, I have consistently said to people – friends and family – that the violence is very much targeted, isolated, and in other parts of the country. So, while the violence has very much come to Cuernavaca, I am confident in saying that the violence remains very targeted and isolated between drug cartels and the military. At this point we are clearly concerned about what is happening, but nowhere near needing to make the decision to head north. If the violence does become random and widespread, that is if we become fearful for our safety and that of those around us, then we will certainly take whatever steps necessary to remain as safe as possible.

The timing of this event, while not surprising, given the recent pressure on President Felipe Calderón to “make progress” in his self-proclaimed war on drugs that began when he took office several years ago, it is unfortunate. It’s unfortunate because the Christmas season here in Mexico is rich and full of tradition. December is really full of fiestas and celebrations.

On the 12th, we celebrated the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. On this day, hundreds of thousands of people make their pilgrimage to the Basilica in Mexico City (or to their local parish) to pay homage to one of, if not the most, important figure in Mexico. Her image elicits a reverence in most people here for which I have yet to find words. Around this celebration, the streets are lined in bright red Noche Buenas (more familiar to people in the U.S. as poinsettias), ready for sale to people who in turn decorate their sidewalks and homes with the winter-blooming plant. Walking down the street on the Day of the Virgin one can see homes – doors wide open as if to invite in passers-by – filled with families singing, laughing, chatting, and enjoying a meal of hot cider and tamales.

This time of year is also famous for celebrating Las Posadas, the reenactment or remembrance of Joseph and the pregnant Mary going from house to house looking for a place to stay. For this celebration most neighborhoods host a Posada, which resembles a street party. If one was to walk or drive around Cuernavaca after the 16th of December, there is a good chance they would stumble upon a Posada. These parties usually include hot cider, warm snacks, music, and several piñatas filled with fruits, nuts, and candy for the children. When I see the children chasing after a broken piñata, I often remember the excitement of opening the Christmas morning stocking Santa used to stuff full of fun surprises.

In this holiday season there are so many opportunities to come together as a community and celebrate in joy and gratitude here in Mexico. At the same time I find myself carrying a sadness and pain because so often these beautiful and rich traditions, which are lived out so generously and courageously, are lost and hidden to those of us in the U.S. We too often only focus on the striking and sobering images of violence, forgetting that for every dead drug lord there are a multitude of families celebrating the appearance of La Virgen and Las Posadas.

As I turn to celebrating the holidays with family and friends, I am recently reminded of the violent and broken world in which we live. Walking down the street, I am also reminded of, and thankful for, the way in which life continues to be lived and celebrated. For me it is a subtle reminder that for us this Christmas season, we celebrate the birth of God’s child who championed life to the fullest.

In closing, I would like to take a moment to give thanks to those who have supported Andrea and me throughout 2009, this being our first full year in Mexico. Thanks to our families, with whom we had several visits throughout the year. Thanks to our friends (and family!) who let us crash in your homes when we needed a place to stay. Thanks to all of you who have kept us and the communities in which we work and live in your prayers.

And finally, thanks to all of you who have sponsored us financially: Alkon Consulting Group, INC., Schererville, IN; David Bebb & Ann Beran Jones; Fred & Paula Jones; Presbytery de Cristo, AZ; Chuck & Gwyn Roske; Sarah & Ryan Seidel; Steams in the Desert Lutheran Church, Tucson, AZ; Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, Sun City, AZ; Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, AZ; Peace Lutheran Church, Peoria, AZ; Our Savior Lutheran Church, Dalton, MN; Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, Schererville, IN; and Augustana Lutheran Church, West St. Paul, MN.

In Peace & Grace,

Luke