{"id":51055,"date":"2024-08-27T14:00:56","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T05:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/?p=51055"},"modified":"2024-09-12T16:02:45","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T07:02:45","slug":"vomk-report-315","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/2024\/08\/27\/vomk-report-315\/","title":{"rendered":"CENTRAL MEXICO: CHURCH PLANTERS FACE PERSECUTION IN THE \u201cCIRCLE OF SILENCE\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”51053″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”Central Mexico is rich in industry, history, and natural beauty. But despite its reputation as a welcoming place for business and tourism, not everyone receives a warm welcome. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:1.2em|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” el_class=”headline”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\u201cPeople get attacked,\u201d sa<\/span>ys <\/span>a church planter who has worked in the region for more than two decades. \u201c<\/span>Usually,<\/span> it is the closest family members that give [<\/span>Protestant<\/span> Christians] the hardest time. We have had people cut off [the Christians\u2019] water or do stuff like that to try to scare them.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]According to Voice of the Martyrs Korea Representative Dr<\/span>.<\/span> Hyun Sook Foley, the region has been called \u201cThe Circle of Silence<\/span>\u201d.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u201cThe \u2018Circle of Silence\u2019 encompasses 115 counties in 8 states in Central Mexico,\u201d says Representative Foley. \u201cThe \u2018Circle\u2019 has a strong culture of what has been called \u2018Christo-paganism\u2019\u2014a syncretistic blend of ancient pagan practices and Roman Catholicism.\u201d She says that Protestants\u2014especially church planters <\/span>seeking<\/span> to evangelize in the area\u2014regularly face persecution there.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]In 2020, Mateo and Elena <\/span>and their <\/span>5-year-old<\/span> daughter Sarah <\/span>moved <\/span>in<\/span>to <\/span>the \u201cCircle of Silence\u201d <\/span>in order to<\/span> plant churches.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u201c<\/span>C<\/span>hristian workers like Mateo and Elena struggle to meet even the basic needs of their families<\/span> in the \u2018Circle of Silence\u2019,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”51051″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Mateo told Voice of the Martyrs that when he and his family <\/span>first moved to the region, they <\/span>couldn\u2019t<\/span> find anyone who would rent them a home, and Mateo struggled to find work.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u201cI knew that there was work to do,\u201d he said, \u201cbut they <\/span>wouldn\u2019t<\/span> open the opportunity to me. I prayed, \u2018God, I am looking to do your will, but you know that I need this job to support my family.\u2019\u201d Two weeks later, he was offered a university teaching job.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u201c<\/span>When word spread that Mateo was a <\/span>Protestant <\/span>Christian, however, university administrators began looking for a reason to dismiss him<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>. <\/span>She says h<\/span>is Facebook page, email account and bank account were hacked, and within a year the university fired him.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Elena, too, was threatened after trying to provide biblical counsel to a friend. The friend, a woman named Linda, often discussed her problems with Elena, so Elena read passages <\/span>from the Bible to her <\/span>that addressed her issues.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]As Linda continued to ask questions and witness Elena\u2019s life, she decided to burn the religious idols and images in her house. \u201cI will obey just the Word of God,\u201d Linda told Elena. But when Linda\u2019s daughter, Karina, learned that her mother had burned the idols, she began to verbally attack Elena both at home and in public, screaming curses and threats at her.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”51048″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Elena and Mateo, church planters facing persecution in Central Mexico\u2019s \u201cCircle of Silence\u201d. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230f0f0f|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\u201c<\/span>Elena prayed faithfully for Karina, and the two have since become friends<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>But not all of their relationships have been blessed with that kind of transformation.<\/span>\u201d She says that<\/span> Mateo and Elena learned through a friend that a local <\/span>Catholic <\/span>priest had instructed his parishioners to <\/span>\u201ctake care\u201d of the couple <\/span>because of the gospel message they were preaching<\/span>\u2014a <\/span>veiled<\/span> command<\/span> to harass them<\/span>,<\/span> or worse.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]At about the same time, a neighbor who practiced witchcraft and had attended a Bible study with the couple hacked their bank account. In addition, the neighbor tried to put a curse on them and destroy their marriage, even burning candles and spreading blood in front of their door.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Representative Foley says even <\/span>Mateo and Elena\u2019s 5-year-old daughter<\/span> was not immune from <\/span>the persecution<\/span>. \u201c<\/span>Sara<\/span> was publicly shamed by her teacher and shunned by classmates because of the family\u2019s faith in Christ<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Then, in December 2022, things got even worse<\/span>. <\/span>Mateo and Elena found a note at their front door, reading, \u201cThis is your first warning: You cannot preach, neither you nor your wife.\u201d The letter was signed with a skull and crossbones.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The next day, all of the tires on Mateo and Elena\u2019s vehicles were slashed.<\/span> T<\/span>hree days later, the tires were slashed again. After they installed a security camera, a man warned Elena to take the camera down. \u201cHe was very aggressive and threatened that he wasn\u2019t playing around,\u201d Mateo <\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”51047″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Mexico\u2019s \u201cCircle of Silence\u201d has a strong culture of what has been called \u201cChristo-paganism\u201d\u2014a syncretistic blend of ancient pagan practices and Roman Catholicism.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230f0f0f|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Three weeks later, during a prayer meeting in their home, two men on motorcycles stopped outside their building and revved their engines loudly. \u201cI wanted to see what was happening or what they wanted,\u201d Mateo said. \u201cBut the Lord said, \u2018Take it easy. Keep praying.\u2019 <\/span>So<\/span> I focused on prayer.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]As the noise continued, a neighbor called, crying. <\/span>The neighbor <\/span>told Elena that she and her children were hiding under her bed because the men had guns pointed at the house.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]When Mateo and Elena finished praying, they went to bed. Mateo said he thought the men might kill them.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u201cI was afraid for my daughters,\u201d Elena said. They considered leaving the city, but through a friend\u2019s encouragement they decided to <\/span>remain<\/span> there and continue proclaiming the gospel to their neighbors. \u201cIt is on those occasions that we feel like God is telling us, \u2018Don\u2019t worry, I am with you,\u2019\u201d Mateo <\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Mateo eventually found a new job that <\/span>enables<\/span> him to have an influence on families and youth in the community. He is still under scrutiny for his faith, but he is seizing the opportunity to share the love of Christ. \u201cI know they are watching me, if I am <\/span>doing<\/span> some mistake, to fire me,\u201d Mateo said. But God has put a lot of grace on me, so in that way I get to be a light in the middle of [these families].\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Although the <\/span>hostility they face <\/span>sometimes <\/span>causes them to feel <\/span>discourage<\/span>d<\/span>, Mateo and Elena keep their eyes fixed on Christ as they lead a group of 15 believers. \u201cMy prayer request is that God [will] give us protection and that we [will] have opportunity to reach those people,\u201d Elena said. \u201cSo please pray for protection because we are not wanting to leave this town.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Representative Foley says Voice of the Martyrs Korea is supporting Mexican church planters in the \u201cCircle of Silence\u201d. \u201cEven simple things like helping church planters pay for gas and keep their cars running is key to enabling these Mexican church planters to endure the persecution and continue reaching the people there for Christ,\u201d says Representative Foley. Individuals interested in supporting persecuted Christians in Mexico can give at <\/span>https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/donation\/<\/span><\/a> or via electronic transfer to:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\uad6d\ubbfc\uc740\ud589<\/span> 463501-01-243303<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\uc608\uae08\uc8fc<\/span>: (<\/span>\uc0ac<\/span>)<\/span>\uc21c\uad50\uc790\uc758\uc18c\ub9ac<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Please include the word \u201cMexico\u201d on the donation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”51053″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”Central Mexico is rich in industry, history, and natural beauty. But despite its reputation as a welcoming place for business and tourism, not everyone receives a warm …","protected":false},"author":659,"featured_media":51054,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[235,140],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-special-column","category-vomk-report"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.2","language":"en","enabled_languages":["ko","en","zh","ru"],"languages":{"ko":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"zh":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"ru":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/659"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51055"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51059,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51055\/revisions\/51059"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}