Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
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CHIAPAS, MEXICO - The day before Easter, in the sprit of resurrection and hope, 400 members of the Abejas (the Bees) pacifist Christian community of X'oyep, supported by the Christian Peacemaker Teams, transformed the military base neighboring their community on Saturday April 22, 2000.

The public witness was the culmination of a 35-day Tent for Lent presence of prayer and fasting on the base by the Abejas and CPTers under the theme: "Lent: Returnto the Path of God."

On one side of the base, the Bees and CPTers transformed the helicopter pad-a ring of stones encircling a large letter H- into a large white-paint PAZ , and then carved into the ground a large sun and moon as symbols of the Creator. Soldiers did nothing to interfere.

On the other side of the camp, the Tent for Lent was dismantled and in its place flags of peace were raised and banners laid out to complete the transformation. Members of the Abejas Choir sang songs of freedom under the shade of a nearby tree as a backdrop to the activities.

Thirty-five days earlier, the Abejas and CPTers had constructed a make-shift plastic shelter to highlight the continuing living conditions of the 10,000 displaced people in Chenalo county. Abejas and CPTers staffed the tent continually. This time of prayer and fasting brought many people to the base, including 600 Abejas led by a figurine of the Virgin Mary, as well as groups of Mexican university students and international delegations.

The presence opened more possibilities to communicate with the army; CPTers and members of the Abejas had a number of extended conversations with army Generals and Majors whom they asked to they leave the area and lay down their arms. The Abejas believe that the military has contributed to the situation of tension and paramilitary violence which has made it impossible for them to return to their homes. The 70,000 soldiers placed in Chiapas, one-third of Mexico's entire army, have done nothing to create an environment which would make a return possible.

The next morning, the CPTers returned to the base for an Easter communion. All of the symbols and gifts the Bees had brought to the military were gone and the helicopter pad returned to its previous state. In a brief meeting with the base's commander, CPTer Mark Frey told the Major, "You have said that you are for the people and that you are for peace. Yesterday there were over 400 people, and the people spoke for peace. By your actions of taking down the peace flag and peace banner, and reconstructing the helicopter pad, your true message is clear."