Security Issues

One of the things we need to keep in mind is basic security for living here. There are very real safety concerns for us living here that we cannot be flippant about. Some recent events within the last week that accentuate this:

1. A friend of ours was at a stop light near the airport talking to her husband on the phone with her window down. Before she knew what happened, someone hit her arm, took her phone, and ran. Her husband heard the scream and the pitter-patter of the robber running with the phone before the call was disconnected.

2. Another couple we know and their daughter experienced an attempted hi-jacking at gun point and only their clear thinking allowed them to escape unharmed. This was in South Africa where armed attacks are common and the government response is to post signs that say "high hi-jack area". As they sped away, their daughter, who is also our "adopted" daughter, shouted "isn't our God awesome"! - We are overwhelmed at God's protection of these dear friends of ours.

3. We had a South African missionary visit with us who, against our recommendations, enlisted one of the 'nare-do-wells' at the border to help him through the process of entering Mozambique with a car. We were traveling together from our team retreat and this hired man demanded that he do ours as well and we had a significant confrontation at the border over this. It made us realize how easily things can escalate in South Africa. I wasn't about to give my passport or car documents to this hoodlum. It was clear that he was used to intimidating people to get what he wanted. The fear that this South African expressed was sobering and he commented on how much safer he felt with us in Mozambique than in his native country of South Africa. (photo is taken at the border approaching 'no-man's land' - it is always chaotic at the border - always).

4. In a recent Embassy news note, they provided a link to a world-report was just issued on 180 countries citing a 'corruption index'. New Zealand was the 'least corrupt' country coming in at number 1. The US was around 19 if I remember right, and Mozambique had fallen to somewhere around 160. The bottom of the list was Iraq, Afganistan and the like. So, when you deal with police, government officials, and the like, you have to keep this in mind.

5. The embassy just issued an advisory about the increase in crime over the next month. It states that there has been and will continue to be an increase in crime as people seek to obtain money and goods as here, like in the States, there is much cultural pressure about presents, gifts, and celebration around Christmas and New Years. People receive what is called a 13th month salary here in December and that bonus money means there is more money floating around and thus, more robberies.

6. On a recent 'dark and stormy night', the Generator for the well at Khongolote was stolen with a 'guard' on duty (probably sleeping somewhere). This is common here, when it rains, there are more break-in's and robberies because guards are down (pun not intended - maybe ;-))

7. I've written recently about things disappearing out of our car when it is parked and "guarded" in down. Somehow, they get it opened even when we're all locked-up.

We've become very comfortable living here and we do not go around in fear, feeling comfortable nearly anywhere in and around the city during the day. At night, we are more careful and deliverate in our routes and activities but not foolish. In the rural areas, we feel much safer and it is those places like the border where you must be very very careful. We try to be wise but at the same time if you allow yourself to become fearful, it can become imprisioning. We drive the same backroads all the time, we give rides to people (mostly older folks) and know the people and the children we see on the roads. Over time, you become a part of the landscape and a part of the communty through your presence and this greatly increases your level of comfort and I think your safety. It is when you get off in those areas where you aren't 'known' or recognized that I think your risk factor starts to increase. But in any case, I praise God for his provision and protection of us here; I am sure that when we graduate to heaven, we will be amazed at how time and time again, through the prayers of His people, we (we in the sense of all believers) were spared time and time again. We truly have to trust Him in a very deep and certain way to function cross-culturally where your mere presence can invite trouble because of your perceived affluence.

May our security and confidence rest in Him and Him alone.

"...I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, for God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:6-7