Why should we pray for Florentina Diego this summer? She works among four tribal groups in Chiapas, Mexico. Who is this missionary, and who are the people she is reaching for Christ?

Understanding the Chiapas area in Southern Mexico yields a beautiful insight into why we should pray for just four of the fifty-seven language groups that compose one of Mexico’s most neglected regions. Florentina’s ministries enable her to do work we could never manage. By praying for her and supporting her financially, we join hands with her as Florentina Diego forms deep relationships with some of the poorest people in the Americas. 

A growing interest in the people of Chiapas came to the world’s attention in 1994, the same day NAFTA took effect. That international treaty brought the economies of the USA, Mexico, and Canada closer together. But as that happened, a proclamation was read, initiating a revolt in southwest Mexico. Many convicted prisoners were released from jails, and violence broke out. Immediately, the Mexican army sent troops to calm the situation. 

Almost 30 years later, what has changed? Chiapas, Mexico’s tenth-largest state, still suffers. It is one of Mexico’s most resource-rich states, full of natural resources, including petroleum. It has a growing season with abundant agricultural yields, hunting, and fishing. However, in Chiapas, “94 of its 111 municipalities live below the poverty line. In Ocosingo, Altamirano, and Las Margaritas, cities where the violence has been the worst, 48% of the adults are illiterate. 80% of the families earn less than $245 a month, and 70% have no electricity. The Zapatistas have explained they are struggling for work, land, housing, food, health care, education, independence, liberty, democracy, justice, peace, cultural recognition, information, and security.” https://indigenousmexico.org/chiapas/chiapas-forever-indigenous/

Today’s tribal groups are descendants of dozens of ancient Mayan peoples. The Spanish Empire conquered and dismantled the Aztec civilization, then marched against the south, completing the conquest of Chiapas in 1528. The indigenous communities were reduced to slavery and bondage under the encomienda system of government. The population grew from 420,000 in 1921 to 5.5 million today. Much of this sudden population growth, possibly 500,000 people, came from refugees fleeing the war-like situation in neighboring Guatemala in the 1980s. 

Florentina Diego is a woman whose courage is as evident as her smile. She lives in Acapulco and is passionate, almost to the extreme. For example, when a storm blew apart a wall in her home, she put her savings toward buying Bibles for a distant village before fixing the wall.

This summer, Florentina will spend weeks with these four language groups: the Nahualt, Mixtecos, Zapotecos, and Zapotitlan. A wise church planter and a compassionate woman, she goes into villages that have rarely, if ever, heard the Gospel. Her megaphone resonates as she calls children together for children’s activities. Then, parents, curious about their children going to the central plaza, accompany their sons and daughters. Initial contacts such as these lead to further visits. She is concerned about the physical as well as the spiritual plight of the people. She has planted several churches and strengthened the lives and well-being of many families.

Of particular interest is the growth of evangelical Christianity in Chiapas as Presbyterians and Pentecostals have shared the Word of God. In 1900, evangelical believers were rare. That changed with 5% in 1970 and 21% by 2000. In fact, a significant movement in the Roman Catholic church is called the Word of God. Because these Christians single out the abuse of alcohol, many of the new believers are women. The village menfolk object mainly to changes sought by Protestants. In Chiapas today, it is unsurprising that strong women, including Florentina Diego, are so well accepted by many families in the cities, towns, and villages. 

LAM’s thanks go to missionaries Joe and Marg Nesci for encouraging Florentina in her ministry.