As I write this, I am in my third week of a seven week Spanish course in Guadalajara , Mexico , a city of six to eight million. After only a few days of study I had a dream. I was preaching in Spanish! Fluently, and with great power. I can’t tell you how disappointed I was when I realized it was my radio alarm clock and it was someone else preaching! But that is the desire of my heart, to preach in Spanish, and to witness more effectively.

Some sweeping generalizations about Mexico and its people

You’ve heard folks make those kind of “lump everyone in one category” general statements. “Mexicans are hard-working” (or lazy). “Mexicans are very friendly.” “Mexicans are a very poor people.” The truth is, of course, that Mexicans are people, with every imaginable category included. I would lean toward saying a vast majority are very hard-working. Walking down the street, very few will speak first. But if I speak, folks invariably will respond graciously and if asked, are extremely helpful. And patient with me. And yes, there are a lot of poor people here, but I must admit I’m not in that neighborhood. The apartment that our IMB missionaries arranged for me is in what my family would consider a very exclusive part of town.

My landlord, Guillermo, told me everyone from Mexico City is rude (like everyone from New York City !) and people in Monterrey are cheap. I guess everyone (another generalization) makes generic judgment calls about others. By the way, one obstacle to evangelism here is the reputation Americans have of being arrogant and demanding, a reputation well deserved in many cases. Keep that in mind if you’re on a mission trip here or anywhere else in the world.

In spite of what the real estate and tourist brochures say, you can no longer come here and retire and live like royalty with servants, etc., unless you can afford to live that way in the states.

But here are statements that are generally true. They are often not worried about starting anything on time. They are not direct and confrontational. They are a very polite people and can be sensitive and get their feelings hurt when proper etiquette is not used. When you come into a room full of people, you greet each one personally, even if a meeting has already started, and you are “late.” The same is true about saying goodbye to each one, even if you leave before the meeting is over.

You are guilty until proven innocent. The customer is not always right. After all, there are six or eight million others out there to take your place. Pedestrians do not have the right-of-way. In fact, you have no rights at all on foot. It is more than just urban legend that if a pedestrian gets hit by a bus, or often, any other vehicle, the driver may back over you to make sure you are dead. Then, he may get out and run. If caught, he is responsible for your expenses, and it is cheaper to bury you than pay for ongoing medical care! I’ve been told that I could ask almost anyone here and they would have a personal story to tell or one about someone they know.

These are mostly things I’ve been told while here.

Here is a personal observation.

Most Mexicans are lost. (I would say the same thing about most Americans.) Mexicans have a form of godliness, without knowing the saving power of Christ. Ninety-six to ninety-eight percent are Catholic. So, is that a narrow-minded, judgmental statement on my part? I slipped into a Catholic church down the street the other day and was looking at some of the art work. One painting in particular struck me. Jesus was on one side. Another person who could have been his twin (presumably God the Father) was on the other side. The dove, representing the Holy Spirit was above them. But, prominently front and center, by design given the pre-eminence, was the perpetually virginic, Virgin Mary, the Co-Redemptrix. She is said to be in Heaven, body and soul. The Roman Catholic Church is a pagan culture that has kept millions of people in spiritual darkness for centuries.

Some ask, “Well, are Mexicans seeking God?” The answer, of course, is Scriptural, “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God.”

But the Lord of the Harvest is seeking Mexicans and is seeking laborers to send out into a ripe harvest, reaping those He is calling to Himself. I’ve had the joy of introducing two people to Christ since being here, and that, in a language that I speak about as well as a toddler. It is the power of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit, and He can use you, too.

I get phone calls here from telemarketers and opinion poll takers. At least, that’s what I think they are saying. Give me a little more time in Spanish instruction and I’ll start trying to witness to them.

Thank you for your prayers and continuing financial support. Both are urgently needed and deeply appreciated.

In the love of Christ,

Dan

Oh yes, they’re called tacos de cabeza. I would recommend you avoid them!