Where did my daddy go? He was yelling at my mommy last night and I was scared. I heard a lot of loud noise, my mommy was crying and then the door slammed. I ran out to my mommy and saw her on the floor. My daddy gets really mean whenever he comes back late at night. He stinks and his breath smells really funny. He always has a bottle in his hand, but they won’t tell me what it is. I found a bottle the other day and took a drink. It burned my mouth and I spit it right back out. I want my mommy to be ok. – a 5 yr. old girl who has lost her daddy to the bottle
Moon, Sun and Stars…do you see us? We are sold out for you. We are vagabonds dedicated to spreading your spirits throughout the world. From Barcelona the spirits of the night and day have brought us to the deserts of Kenya where we heard the cries of a lost culture…From Africa the spirits called us here to Palenque. If only people knew how to tap into the energy of the universe…to this we dedicate our music. Listen to our bongos and guitar, our voices call out to the spirits. May we attract the backpackers, the seekers. Where do we go to next? Yesterday we meet some friends from America. They said they were Christians…maybe we should head there? – Tigre (Tiger) and Mar (Sea) (street musicians/missionaries of the Spirits living in Palenque)
I want to die. I see no hope. Coke, Marijuana, alcohol, my brothers (gang)…Is this all life consists of? What is this longing inside of me? Last night, I sat outside of the church, too scared to enter, yet too interested to leave and too drunk and high to try to walk. The gringos are back…I remember them from last year. They speak of forgiveness and the love of Jesus. But I don’t think this Jesus could forgive me for killing a man. Nope, I’m beyond hope…but the gringos are coming back on Thursday…
– Mario (twenty year old gang member)
Come spirits of old and enter the body of your grandchild. Heal her limp body. Let the smoke from the fire and our chants call you back from the dead. We need you dad and we call on your spirit. Come to us. Why is your power not strong enough? There are some new people in the village right now. They say a man called Jesus can heal her? This Jesus character sounds funny. Is he white too? I do not want to forsake you dad. You love me and I know you will heal your grandchild. Just hurry…These people keep coming back to pray in the name of their Jesus. What do I do? – a mother who is trapped in her Mayan tradition of ancestral worship
I cannot take another night, yet I see no other way. The only thing that keeps me coming back night after night is my daughter. She deserves more than a life of selling herself. I cannot be restored. I am worthless. Is love really something that can only be bought? Ten guys in five hours? At least I am not the new one anymore…last night they trafficked in a fresh one from Guatemala. I feel sorry for her. But better her than me. Lord, if you are out there, save me. – scared and hopeless (hundreds of young women behind the bar scenes)
Lord, tend to your flock. Palenque is in need of your touch, your love and your restoration. Send workers of the harvest to Palenque Lord. Send your body.
– a hopeful pastor in Palenque
Palenque is a town of 70,000 people. The town is full of seekers, alcoholics, gangs, prostitutes, drug dealers, hard working families, farmers, brick layers, store owners…People who need to experience forgiveness, hope, mercy and love that only a Savior can provide. Also, the surrounding villages are drunk with ancestral worship. The Mayan people are a beautiful creation, but, unfortunately, they do not know their Creator.
This month the July team (squad picture below) is ministering in Palenque and surrounding villages. The prayers above are based off circumstances and people we have encountered in the last week. Please pray for the people of Palenque and the racers as our lives intertwine.
