From Oct. 26-30, Mesoamerica Regional Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Coordinator Dhariana Balbuena, along with members of Mexico NCM, visited Tapanatepec, Chiapas, where a portion of the migrant caravan was located.  Members of the NCM team were able to share a special time with the children. They shared a Bible story, prayed for those who were sick, and distributed candy and animal masks.

South Mexico NCM Coordinator Edi Montejo said that during their time in the park in Tapanatepec, he saw the exhaustion in the faces of the children.  Some cried because of the suffocating heat and others seemed confused, as if they did not understand what was happening.

“We thank God for the response of the Church of the Nazarene.  In every community along the way where there is a church, we have found brothers and sisters who joined with the response,” Montejo said.

He added that the migrant children are at risk of terrible violations of both their bodies and their human rights.  Some of those risks include: accidents (suffocation, dehydration, wounds); being caught in organized crime rings; sexual exploitation; forced labor; institutional mistreatment if they are repatriated to their country of origin; loss of life en route or crossing the border, among many other risks.

“We invite you to continue praying for the migrant caravan, for the governmental authorities, and for each NCM volunteer,” he concluded.

Source: Edi Montejo, South Mexico NCM Coordinator