Why Do You Need a Mask?

Just a short entry. On the way back from church this morning, we stopped at a bakery where we get bread. When you come to visit us, you will enjoy the fresh bread that you have to get nearly every day because there are no preservatives and it won't last any longer! This particular bakery is a simple store-front in a run-down building near our house with a red-framed glass case on the side-walk with hand-rolled loaves on one side and smaller rolls on the other - fresh made daily. Like most of the businesses here, the owners are of Arabic descent and Muslim. We chat a little and they know us and like to practice their English on us. But today was a bit different....

There were a couple of cars out front with guys with camouflage clothing on, kind of a tougher-looking group. When Ann went in the store to see if someone could help at the case outside, several men were inspecting brand-new black knit hoods - you know the kind - holes for your mouth and eyes that you wear when you're snow skiing or when it is 15 below zero (not much chance here!). They pushed it all aside when she entered and sent a helper to sell the bread.

A bit disconcerting. Why the masks; why on earth would you want them here in hot hot Mozambique? Can there be a logical reason that makes sense? Or is mischief afoot? Or is it some base fear deep inside that makes you think bad thoughts? Innate prejudice influenced by world events, a manipulative media, or some sort of deep fear? Probably we should have just asked but it didn't look like one of those cases where noticing would be a good thing!

We are in what is commonly called the "tension zone" where Christianity meets with Islam. Normally we find the Muslim folks quite cordial and willing to talk, but then you run into this kind of thing, it flashes horrible thoughts in your mind and reminds you that the fallen world can be a tough place. We know there are extreme groups operating in the area and this was a simple reminder, even if there might be a logical explaination.

You would think that there should never be a time we need to hide our faces but rather we should be shining lights in a dark world - the thing we should all fear is God hiding His face from us...

Dave

"And I [God speaking to Moses about the future] will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods." Deut. 31:18

"No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light." Luke 8:16