What We Can Learn from Mexico

To people for the most part are happy and friendly here. Missionaries rarely have a door slammed in their faces and most who they run into are willing to listen. As I think about why they are that way, it occurs to me that perhaps Mexico is the way we were in the United States many decades ago. The culture here has not bought into advances in technology and of buying goods nearly as much as we. Craftsman and small tiendas still reign supreme even in the large cities. Nor is there the same addictions to TV and the internet down here. They do watch TV and they do use the internet but significantly less, which leads to a lot more face to face interaction. When we need directions or to find someone, I am always amazed that people can tell not only who lives up and down their streets but for blocks around. The people love to socialize and at dances you never see empty dance floors. Multi-generations of families commonly live together.

The people here are very pragmatic. A janitor on the street and a salesman in a convenience store are honored as much as most other professions. People work where and at what they can get a job, and it doesn’t seem to matter if it is a step down from their education. There don´t seem to be a lot of entitlement programs nor are there many homeless. The rich live in the same neighborhoods with the poor here. Not out of any government program, but just because that is the way it is. Houses and roads are built provide what is necessary. You don’t see many cloverleaves on highways nor do the houses of even the rich have insulation, heat or air conditioning. There seem to be far fewer laws or they are not enforced. This particularly evident on the highways where people do pretty much what they want. But with this lack of law enforcement, drivers are far more aware of what is around them. I have seen a lot less accidents here even though there are a ton of cars.

Finally, the people of Mexico seem to be more religious and prone to decency and to help someone in need. I can’t say how many times someone has stopped what they are doing to even walk down the street with me to help me find my way. Many of the people I have taught have readily accepted the Gospel.