November 22, 2009 – Merida, Yucatan, Mexico…[Raul Lozano/IAD Staff]
The traveling Bible made its final Mexico stop on Nov. 20 after covering three of the four major church regions in the country. The two-week travel in Mexico was the first segment of a ten-week journey the unique Bible will make through Inter-America.
Seventh-day Adventist leaders, government officials and church members in South Mexico were eager to see the traveling Bible, which has already visited more than 108 countries worldwide as part of the church’s Follow the Bible initiative. During a special ceremony at Las Americas Park in Merida, Yucatan, on Saturday, Nov. 22, Marco Antonio Gonzalez of the Yucatan Office of Social Development and Religious Affairs read and transcribed the first portion of the Bible.
Gonzalez spoke to Seventh-day Adventist leaders on how the church can better the quality of life for Yucatan’s citizens. “This church should continue participating in events such as this,” said Gonzalez. “It is very important to educate our children and young people in the values which unfortunately have taken a detour in our modern times. I believe that the church, together with each family, can make a better society.”
Gregorio Sanchez Martinez, the Mayor of Cancun, congratulated the church for upholding the principles of the holy book. “The Bible is our manual and if we don’t want to ruin our lives, we must read it,” Sanchez said. Children, young people, and adults participated in region-wide activities such as Bible reading marathons and copying the Bible cover to cover.
Church leaders also organized a press conference at the church’s headquarter office in South Mexico. The traveling Bible will make its way to El Salvador this week and then on to visit other Central American countries.
To view a photo gallery of traveling Bible in South Mexico, http://flickr.com/photos/interamerica
