By Gillian Sims
After leaving the comfort of Eden Resort in La Cruz, we headed south to a small town named Cofradia, where we stayed at a missions base run by the wonderful Jay and Faith from Washington. No sooner had we arrived than Jay took the time to explain where we were, who they are, where we would be heading, the people group we would be ministering to and a rough idea of what that might look like. Words can not express how much I appreciated such simple communication with our team, in five months I can not think of many others who have been willing to provide such basic context to arriving mission teams and it made a noticeable difference! If only all mission bases could be so practical. So, we were about to minister to an unreached people group known as the Cora. Descendants of the Aztecs, the Cora live very traditionally amid the Nayarit mountains and generally rely on witch-doctors to treat illness or resolve life’s challenges. They speak a tribal language, also known as Cora and despite limited exposure to catholicism, are largely unfamiliar with the gospel. We were ready.
The humidity of Cofradia was like nothing I have ever experienced. We have no idea what the temp was but the humidity alone felt like breathing hot steam. I did not know my body was capable of sweating so much as within minutes of showering and changing, our clothes were once again soaked through. After a hot, restless night the team headed up into the mountains accompanied by Jay and a Mexican team from Culiacan. The Mexican guys spent our four days together laughing continuously which added a lot of light heartedness to our outreach, very different to our experiences in Mozambique! They shared their great senses of humour with us which as Kiwis, Rowan and I totally appreciated. Turns out sarcasm is an international language.
As we headed into our six hour journey, the conversation in our pick up was slowed to a standstill. It became impossible not to notice the absolutely stunning mountain scenery towering over us. My impression of Mexico has always been hot, dusty townships from the 1700s. Suddenly we were surrounded by lush mountainous ranges and incredible wildlife. Higher and higher we climbed until cloud surrounded us on all sides. For the first time in days our clothes became dry and I would have quite happily slept roadside if it meant we did not have to return to the heat and humidity below us. As we drove through the clouds and the mountain vistas continued to open up around us, it became clear just how remote we were. There was not a visible township as far as the eye could see. In their place was some of the most dramatic cliffs, mountains, plains and wait for it…a canyon. I had no idea that Mexico had it’s own version of The Grand Canyon! I suspect not many people do. Through the courtesy of Jay, our team was treated to breath taking views of this incredible canyon complete with waterfall and soaring eagles. The place was unreal! No wonder the Cora people had no desire to integrate with modern society…these people obviously know a good thing when they see it.
We arrived to a very quiet farm-like community which seemed like something out of National Geographic. We were welcomed by a local family who have hosted Jay and his visiting teams on previous occasions. Understandably, the Cora people seemed shy and quietly spoken. We watched as they ground corn by hand to make us delicious corn tortillas and the team was treated to their traditional woodfire cooking. The whole community smelled of woodsmoke and it was hard not to feel at peace amongst such a gentle people. Or so I thought. As we spent more time with the Cora our team was shocked to see the local children physically beating kittens, puppies, piglets and generally any animal within reach. I saw a kitten being dropkicked, puppies pelted with rocks, dogs beaten for no reason with canes…this made it hard for me to connect with the local children, who otherwise seemed peaceable and innocent. More than once I had to supress an overwhelming urge to intervene, reminding myself that we’re not in a position to correct people we know nothing about. The concept of animals being cute and domestic is very western and not appreciated by many third world nations, to whom these animals are dangerous, unpredictable and not to be approached.
Unexpected violence aside, the team ran a children’s program the day after we arrived. Thanks to Jay’s careful communication, we were able to present the gospel message to the Cora children in a way that honoured the cultural customs. Being a shy and reserved people, the Cora are likely to respond to direct questions with whatever answer they think you would like to hear, regardless of it’s sincerity. With this in mind, we were careful not to ask the villagers if they would like to accept Jesus, but instead told the children that if they would like Jesus to be their friend, they could pray with us so he could come to live in their heart. Unexpectedly, around 30 adults also asked for prayer saying, “We would like to be friends with Jesus too.” What an outcome!
Unfortunately, the tendency to agree with any direct questions meant that some villagers responded to questions about healing positively, regardless of any improvement. It seemed not all of our team members were aware of this custom which resulted in a couple of proclaimed healings which may have been genuine, but which Jay felt were just as likely to be the Cora upholding their cultural tendency to agree. Situations like this remind me how sensitive we need to be both to the Holy Spirit, and to the culture we are ministering to before testifying to the miraculous. Being so remote, it will be hard for the villagers to receive much follow-up to their decisions, although after sixteen years in Mexico, Jay and his family are very aware of the little that CAN be provided to the Cora in terms of discipleship. I can not help but think that the violent behaviour displayed by Cora children is symptomatic of the social issues plaguing indigenous people groups around the world, no doubt hiding beneath their quiet, peaceful exterior. Sadly, Jay confirms that alcohol and domestic violence are indeed part of Cora village life, yet more reason to pray that the life changing love of God sinks deep into the hearts of these new believers.
Cumuatillo, Mexico
Senior people make great subjects for portraits. They don’t smile much, though.
