Sierra Madre Occidental, northwestern Mexico
MELESIO, an O’dam-speaking man, occasionally
came down from the mountains
to find work. He attended Christian
meetings and took Bible literature back to
share with his people. He begged for someone
to visit them and teach them more about
the Bible.
The O’dam, a very isolated ethnic group,
live high in the Sierras in north central Mexico,
some 150 miles (240 km) from the nearest
congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Several
of us decided to visit them.
A dusty mountain track, Durango.
Obtaining a pickup, tents, and sleeping
bags, and taking enough food and gasoline for
three days, we set out from the city of Durango.
Starting at four o’clock in the morning,
we drove for eight hours up a dusty mountain
track to where it ended. This was the entry
point to the region of the O’dam. Ahead lay a
deep ravine and another mountain.
House with cardboard roofing, Mexico
We found Melesio, a slender young man who
was overjoyed to see us. He invited us to his
simple home and told us that he had been praying
every day that Jehovah would send His Witnesses
to teach his family and his fellow O’dam the Bible.
He felt unable to answer all their questions.
The O’dam practice shamanism.
They use such charms as eagle feathers and bones,
worship the forces of nature, and live in fear of the
shamans, who exploit them. Melesio explained that
when he learned on his trips to the city that Jehovah
is the true God, he destroyed all his idolatrous
objects. The community expected their gods to
punish him with death. When nothing happened, they
realized that Jehovah was more powerful than their gods.
Consequently, they began to attend the Bible study that
Melesio conducted with his family, using our literature.
Smudge kit used by the shamans
“I told them that first they had to burn all
their amulets and idols,” said Melesio. Many
overcame their superstitious fears, and the
number attending grew to over 80. Amazed to
hear this, we decided to hold a meeting that
very afternoon.We sent word by messengers
on horseback to those who regularly met at
Melesio’s house. Although it was midweek
and on short notice, 25 came, arriving on
foot and on burro.
With Melesio interpreting, we held a
question-and-answer session on the Bible.
They asked questions like: “Does Jehovah
love us even though we are Indians?” “Does
he hear prayers in O’dam?” “When Armageddon
comes, will Jehovah take us into account
even though we live so far from the cities?”
Using the Bible, we were happy to assure
these humble people that Jehovah cares for
the meek, no matter what language they
speak or how isolated they are. They begged
us to send someone to teach them more.
Typical local Post Office.These Post Offices are like a little corner store you would
find in Mexico with all the snack foods, tourist trinkets, post cards, etc. .
What a privilege it was to meet these sincere
people, most of whom cannot read or
write or speak Spanish but who want to learn
about the true God and worship him! Since
our visit, six Witnesses have been to the community,
staying for three weeks. They provided
spiritual help to about 45 people who sincerely
want to serve Jehovah. All of them
attend the meetings regularly.
One final note. The only little
store in Los Arenales does not sell
cigarettes anymore. This is because
so many people are studying the Bible
and they have all stopped smoking.
They have also legalized their
marriage.—THE WATCHTOWER ˙ MARCH 1, 2011, p. 24
Photo Credits:
esacademic.com-Sierra Madre Occidental;
Karen Sheets-Horse Crossing;
holisticrocs-Smudge kit used by the shamans;
Charles Clint-Typical Post Office
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