November 10, 2009 – Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico….[Benjamin Garcia/IAD Staff]
The traveling Bible, the focal point of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Follow the Bible initiative, arrived in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, on Nov. 6, 2009, to begin its journey through the Inter-American Division (IAD) territory.
To celebrate the initiative, Seventh-day Adventists in the IAD are holding Bible marathons and marches, distributing literature on the importance of the Scriptures, and giving out Bibles in their communities. These events will continue during the 10 weeks it will take the Bible to complete its journey throughout the territory.
A special ceremony was held in Monterrey's Macro Plaza across from the state government's palace where government leaders, local church leaders and members gathered to receive the unique multi-language Bible.
Pastor Melchor Ferreyra, field secretary for the church in Inter-America and coordinator of the initiative division-wide, presented the special Bible to Pastors Abner De Los Santos, president for the church in North Mexico, and Pastor Luis Arturo King, president for the church in the Northeast conference who then presented the Bible to civil authorities and religious leaders.
Dr. Eduardo Macias and Mario Trevino of Nuevo Leon's Department of Religious Affairs received the Bible on behalf of the government authorities. Dr. Macias and Mr. Trevino copied the first two verses of the Bible as part of a 24-hour Bible transcribing marathon organized by the church in Monterrey.
A spiritual message on the power and significance of the Word of God was presented by Ismael Castillo, president of the nearby Adventist Montemorelos University. There were also several musical numbers performed by the institution's band and drama club, as well as a special tour of the replica of the sanctuary installed on the premises for display on Sabbath.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, as part of Inter-America's Give a Bible, Give Life project, 8,000 free Bibles were distributed at the Macro Plaza. The effort was organized by the Northeast (Mexico) Conference.
On Nov. 8, the special Bible was on display at the Montemorelos University Church, where a special worship program was held in which the Bible was read in 14 different languages.
The traveling Bible will be on its way to Mexico City and Puebla in South Mexico by the end of the week. After a short time there it will continue its journey throughout the rest of Inter-America.
To view a photo gallery of traveling Bible in North Mexico, http://flickr.com/photos/interamerica and http://www.flickr.com/photos/universidaddemontemorelos
To follow the traveling Bible throughout the territory of the Inter-American Division, visit http://caravanadelabiblia.interamerica.org/
