Read Time: 4 min 26 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

WORLD NEWS

Cartel Chaos

Mexico is recovering from a wave of violence. It all started on Sunday when Mexican security forces killed one of the country’s most-wanted cartel bosses, “El Mencho.”

A drug cartel is a group of people who sell drugs illegally to make big money, often using violence to protect their business. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (“El Mencho”) headed up the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The CJNG is one of America’s biggest suppliers of the drugs fentanyl, meth, and cocaine, and the U.S. has labeled it a terror organization.

The U.S. and Mexico shared information for months to track down the drug lord, before there was a breakthrough this weekend. Mexican authorities followed one of El Mencho’s romantic partners to his hideout. Oseguera Cervantes was shot in a gunfight with security forces and died in custody on the way to the hospital.

The cartel struck back violently. CJNG blocked 250+ roads and burned cars across 20+ states in Mexico. Over 70 people were killed in the operation and the violence that followed. That number includes 25 Mexican National Guard members, the alleged mastermind of CJNG’s response, and more than 30 additional suspected cartel members. 

Thousands of security forces were deployed to quiet the unrest. Monday, authorities said all roadblocks had been cleared. Tuesday, normal flight schedules resumed across tourist destinations like Puerto Vallarta, Cancún, and Cozumel (see map).

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Christians live as strangers and exiles in our home countries, whether that temporary home is peaceful, disorderly, or somewhere in between. Seek the good of the land you’re passing through while eagerly anticipating the coming of your permanent home. 

“This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their produce… Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.’” 
Jeremiah 29:4-7 (CSB) (read full passage)

How can I model putting my hope and trust in Christ when discussing this story?
Do not fear! The news is notorious for amplifying scary and tragic stories because they’re what keep audiences coming back. But for believers in Jesus, fear is never the appropriate response.

Why not? First, there’s God’s explicit command/encouragement all over the Bible: “Fear not!” In all kinds of intimidating, intense, tragic situations, God’s presence strengthens believers to face hard things with faith (Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10; Revelation 1:17). 

Plus, there’s His promise of a good, reallllly long future in His presence. If I believe that my soul is safe with Jesus, no matter what happens to my body on earth (Matthew 10:28), why should anything in the news make me anxious? From the perspective of eternity, suffering is short and just a preparation for future joy.

What response to this story do I want to model for my children?
You were not made to bear the emotional weight of every hard headline that reaches you from across the world. You’re finite… and that’s not a design flaw.

In Matthew 25, Jesus calls His followers to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit the imprisoned. But He isn’t assigning each individual Christian an impossible checklist. He’s describing the kind of love His people will be known for—a collective identity, not a solo mission.

So when you hear about hard things in distant lands, thank God for His body, the Church, and pray that He would equip local believers to serve boldly in their homelands for His glory.

• In moments of anxiety, choose a habit that speaks hope into fear. Suggestion: sing a song that’s chock full of Scripture, like this one.
   

• Memorize Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand” (CSB).
   

• Pray for deliverance from fear in your own life, and pray that believers in Mexico would be strengthened for the hard work of peacemaking in their communities.

CREAM AND SUGAR

Gen Z Word of the Week: My dog clocked the peanut butter jar opening from three rooms away.

Family Fun: Tell a chain story together around the table at dinnertime or before bed.

Whipped Cream on Top: Winter can be long... enjoy the snow.

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