Pray for the Peace of Mexico

The last few weeks have been rife with negative news from Mexico. I have taken a pretty harsh and critical stand against most everything that is publicized--knowing that each news agency has an agenda. Even the "shock factor" of spreading the tales of decapitation and torture attracts so much attention.

Yes, I have been in denial. There is, however, real danger in Mexico, and some seemingly much closer than we had previously thought. We used to downplay the atrocities by telling folks that the problems are all up by Juarez. Now, we have the story of 72 people tortured to death on the east side of Mexico, and a mayor of a town less than an hour away killed in a shootout.

I spoke with a man from the US Consulate in Monterrey today and he implied that most of the problems that we or anyone else "normal" would have is while traveling between the border and Monterrey. He mentioned to me that the drug cartels have set up road blocks on the toll roads and regular roads to and from Monterrey, and even inside of Monterrey. The gangsters detain to steal money and cars, and create havoc. They spread fear and terrorize all walks of life. Their "motto" is that maybe you don't have money, but you probably have friends that do.

For balance, I also spoke with a veteran missionary that lives in our little town of Arteaga. His work is up higher in the mountains. He told me that if the gangs wanted an American, they would know where to find him. They have called and threatened him, painted graffiti on his church, and driven slowly by his house. Perhaps his time is coming, as I "joked" with him, but he says that it's just a bunch of cowardly kids. The man from the consulate said the same thing, commenting to me that many are not really who they say they are, but think they can squeeze some money out of folks by saying they are the "Zetas" gang. He's not afraid, and not planning on leaving where God has called him.

While speaking with another missionary to Mexico, I made the comment that I would feel safer at our work in Mexico than I would in somewhere like Detroit, MI. I've been stopped by people there while driving, walking, and trying to park. I've never felt more afraid for my family than when a maniac jumped out in front of us while we were driving down the street and screamed at me to stop and let him by. I let him go, and don't you know the same whacko asked me for money after I parked.

So, what to do. The only hope for Mexico (and the US & World) is Christ. We're determined to reach Mexico for Christ with the Gospel, and to trust God to turn the entire country "upside down." We'll do our part and The Lord do His part. We're going to take precautions, just like we do while we're out soul-winning in the projects in the States. We're going to do our best to be wise, but not afraid to share the Gospel with the dear people God has called us to reach.

We think of what the greatest missionary in history would do in our situation. The Apostle Paul, I don't think, would let fear of danger prevent him from going where God told him to go or from doing what God told him to do. On the contrary, he seems to have run right where the worst problems would be to give them the opportunity to be saved.

The Lanier family, missionaries to Mexico will go to Mexico. We will do our best to bring salvation closer to the wicked. What hope can they have outside "What" sets men free? The government has failed them, religion has failed them, their military has failed them, and their police force has failed them. Christ can and will set them free.

God help us to be faithful.