Mexico, the Truth.

As many of you know my wife is the International Coordinator for Volunteers in Mission. Thus, she helps organize, supports, makes travel arrangements and finds places to stay for literally thousands of short term missionaries a year. One of the major places that she sends people to is Mexico. This year there has been much talk in the media about how dangerous Mexico is and how there is a warning put out by the state department for spring break 09. Thus, my awesome wife has had several teams that were going to Mexico cancel. EAch of these teams she has put many hours of work into by budgeting, finding them places to stay, helping with travel arrangements and a variety of other things. These cancelations are to say the least frustrating to her.

Here is why these cancellations are frustrating. First of all, every year the state department puts out a warning about going to Mexico. The main reason for these warnings are because many Spring Breakers go down to Mexico, to drink and drug. Thus, they hang around with a bad crowd and put themselves in compromising situations. I would hope that none of those going on mission trip would be in these areas.

Secondly, the areas that are dangerous in Mexico are really isolated areas. Juarez, Neuvo Laredo and a few others are problem areas. Oklahoma VIM does not send teams to these areas. Hence, to not go to Mexico because of these areas, is like saying I will not come to Oklahoma City, because there was a series of murders in New York City. It does not make sense.

Generally for me the bottom line is this. Are you going to trust Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck more than the people who live in Mexico. You see VIM is in constant contact with the people of Mexico in the areas that we work. These people have to live there and know whether or not it is safe. In addition, VIM Oklahoma would never send a team into a dangerous area. Perhaps we should also be more trusting in our VIM staff to know what is going on. The afore mentioned radio hosts do not have a corner on information and in this case, there information is incomplete. I will assume it is incomplete, other wise they are simply lying and fear mongering.

Every night on the news, I see a murder in Oklahoma City, yet my wife still goes there every day and I travel there when needed. Because our media cannot delineate between parts of Mexico does not mean we need to fear all of Mexico. It certainly should not keep us from fullfilling God's call to help others.

Dane.