Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
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CHIAPAS, MEXICO - A Mexican radio station is playing in the background, the sun is setting and birds are chirping. This is the quietest it has been all day. Two members of the Abejas (Bees) are standing, chatting in Tzotzil, while the sound of locusts humming is growing stronger. I can also hear children's voices in the far background - they must be coming from the refugee camp in X'oyep, located about a kilometer from the military camp where we are stationed.

This afternoon, when they weren't playing soccer, soldiers were coming and going, some carrying food, others going to patrol the ridge above our tent. They almost always carry their weapons, even though their armbands are labeled, "Civic Action." Two soldiers have just come out of the barracks to lower the Mexican flag as a dog looks on.

Tonight nine of us will be sleeping in our "tent" - 10 poles cut from trees with blue plastic wrapped around the top and sides, formed into a makeshift shelter. This is the same type of dwelling over 10,500 internal refugees stayed in during their first months as displaced people in Chenalho county. "Lent: Return to God's Path" reads our banner in both Tzotzil and Spanish.

Lent is a time to prepare for the resurrection of Christ, a time to overcome ourselves (desires, needs, wills) and prepare to follow the path of Christ. Military camps, refugees and armed paramilitary groups are not a part of God's path.

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT CHIAPAS "TENT FOR LENT:"

Corn is sacred to the Mayan Indians of Chiapas - a symbol of life. Think of ways to use corn kernels (or popcorn) in your support actions to remind those in power that life is sacred, violence and destruction must end, and land used to house/support/promote instruments of death better serves God's purpose by growing food and supporting life.

1. Take corn to Mexican officials:

a) Form a delegation from your church or group to meet with Mexican Embassy or Consulate representatives in your area and explain what the CPT Mexico team is doing. Present a handful of corn and express your concern that the conditions still have not been met for the displaced people to return safely to their villages.

b) Send letters or faxes to the governor of Chiapas highlighting the continued plight of the displaced people:

Lic. Roberto Albores Guillen -
Governor of Chiapas Palacio de Gobierno Avenida
Central Primera Oriente Colonia Central Tuxtla
Gutierrez, Chiapas CP 29009 Mexico
Telephone: 011-52-961-21-093 ~ FAX: 011-52-961-20-917

2. Hold a worship service at a military base, recruiting center, or corporation connected to the defense industry. Plant corn as a symbolic witness against militarism in Chiapas and around the world.

3. Observe 5 minutes of silence every 4 hours -- 8am, 12pm, 4pm, 8pm, midnight, 4am - when CPTers and Abejas are holding special prayers at the tent and/or join them in fasting one day a week.

4. Incorporate corn into Easter week services -- for Maundy Thursday serve a love-feast of beans, corn tortillas and rice - the meal of the Mayan Indians; for holy communion, use corn tortillas.

5. Contact indigenous peoples living in your area, telling them how the Chiapas team is supporting the Mayans in Chenalho county. Ask if there is some way your church or organization can show support for local indigenous people.