ARE MEXICO MISSIONS RISKY?
“What you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing; it also depends on what sort of person you are”. (C.S. LEWIS The Magician’s Nephew)
If you are standing in your living room in the United States, you are seeing and hearing about violence and drugs in Mexico on your local news.
A fellow missionary asked me how I argue for mission trips to Mexico when the local media broadcast so much about the violence there?
My initial reaction was to explain, that for the media, paranoia sells and that the situation is less evil. The statistics of the murder rates in cities in Mexico versus the U.S. shows how crime can be isolated to one particular part of a state or country. For example, Louisiana had 12 murders per 100,000 people in 2009, while New Orleans, Louisiana, had 64 murders per 100,000 people according to Bureau of Justice Statistics for the same year. Juarez Mexico had 130 murders per 100,000 people, and all of Mexico had 12 murders per 100,000 people in 2009.
I dug into all kinds of crime statistic rankings on the two countries, to refute the local news and report the real news. To demonstrate how the United States outranks Mexico in: rapes (US#1, Mex#6), murders (US#5, Mex#6), car thefts (US#1, Mex#6), and robberies (US#3, Mex#5).
I wanted to show the “truth” and dispel the perception of extreme violence in Mexico. Yet with all these statistics on violence in the United States, in a survey asking people in different countries their “Perception of feeling safe while walking in the dark”, we Americans, feel safe and rank ourselves #2. My conclusion is, “Truth is universal. Perception of truth is not.” (Anonymous) Obviously, it depends a good deal on where you are standing. Reporting the lesser evil or the real news is just folly on my part.
This lead us to, What sort of person are you? Do you settle for the lesser evil or look for the greater good?
After much thought and prayer I realize, my role to help you answer this question, is not to report the real news. It is to report the Good News.
“A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” (Pro 14:15)
I can show you data and tell you of my great visits to Mexico. However, I am bias and I want you to experience the great joy God has allowed me through serving Him in Mexico. I can give you some knowledge but you must seek knowledge farther than me.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” Col 2:8
A prudent person will value the truth.
“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4
We can be deceived if we settle for the lesser evil. The man that convinces himself that pornography is better than cheating on his wife is deceived. The person who convinces himself or herself to avoid a relationship needing forgiveness because it may get uglier is deceived. The person who ignores God’s call for fear of danger is deceived.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12
A prudent person will not allow fears to interfere with their faith.
God wants us to be prudent, but not paranoid. “The step between prudence and paranoia is short and steep. Prudence wears a seat belt. Paranoia avoids cars.” (Max Lucado Fearless) Fear can rob us of strength and potential triumph.
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matt 10:28
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” Rom 8:35
A prudent person will realize their limitations and seek the counsel of God through prayer.
When Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane he had all the knowledge, knew the truth and even had fear . What did he do? He prayed not once but three times. He asked those around him to pray too. He prayed not for his will, but the Fathers will.
“Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.” Eph 5:15-17
In the end, I cannot argue for or against whether a particular person should go on a Mission Trip to Mexico. I know through prayer that God has called me to go. If after prayer he calls you, welcome to the team. If after prayer he does not call you, please pray for those of us he does call, and again welcome to the team!