Dispelling the Myths about Mexico

I’ve received LOTS of requests for a report from our recent mission trip to Monterrey, Mexico, mostly from the standpoint of “safety”. This is my reply that I’ll post on my blog and email/send to anyone that might want a copy of it. Please bear with me, as I am taking this opportunity to “preach” a little, but hopefully, it won’t cause you to miss the answer to your question. And thanks to the Christian Chronicle's Bobby Ross, for taking parts of this blog and including it in his article on his blog posting today.

Let me begin by saying that our experience a couple of weeks ago was completely uneventful, regarding any so-called "safety issues". During our time in Mexico, I spoke with preachers in both Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey about the situation there. I've been watching the Mexican media. I have spoken with numerous others who have traveled in and out of Mexico on a variety of mission trips over the past few months. They are in total agreement that the situation has been GREATLY exaggerated by American media outlets (especially CBS and FOX for some reason). Although in recent articles the Christian Chronicle has attempted to inform churches of the situation prior to the recent Spring Break time period, I believe that even that was somewhat inaccurate. Add these reports with a little third hand “spin” that many in our churches have put on it, and no wonder the situation sounds worse than it is. The truth is that there hasn’t been a single incident for ANY mission group (we are talking hundreds and thousands) from the US that has occurred relating to this situation.

Is there violence in Mexico between drug cartels and police/army/government officials? Yes. Why is this occurring? It is because the Mexican government (yes, even with all its history of corruption) is putting a great deal of pressure on the drug gangs and they are reacting violently, hoping to intimidate the government into backing down. It is not working… the government continues to tighten their “choke hold” on these negative elements in their country.

One particular Mexico mission trip effort with whom I have been connected for many years (I’ll save the name to avoid the appearance that I am speaking for them) is suffering greatly because of hasty decisions by a number of American churches of Christ in cancelling their trips to help. As of the last bit of information of which I am aware, nearly 20 groups have cancelled. The Mexican church is SUFFERING greatly because of these decisions.

The time for the church to shine brightest is when darkness seems to be at its most powerful. Now is that time both in the United States AND in Mexico. Jesus NEVER promised us safety... writer of the book, “The Irresistible Revolution”, Shane Claiborne, stated that the most dangerous place for the church is a place of comfort. Somehow, someway, we have to persuade our church leaders (and parents) to live dangerously for Christ. There is a time coming (it may be now) where we can not shrink back, but instead, have great courage and boldness. We should not be fooled that there is a much safer situation here in the US. Ironically, while we were in Mexico, there was a big drug bust in front of the home of one of our members in Fort Smith, AR with K-9 and SWAT police units. And recently, 11 women were murdered and found buried in a “safe neighborhood” in Albuquerque, NM. Recent statistics state that Phoenix, AZ is the kidnap capital of the USA right now.

I pray this information will help tip some churches into listening to God instead of Satan. This is spiritual warfare and the church in America needs to step up to the plate, show their faith in God and send people to Mexico. It is time for us to start PRAYING, to neither OVERreact nor UNDERreact, but to react appropriately.

Please feel free to inquire with any other questions you may have about this situation and may God bless you as you seek to live out Matthew 28:19-20.