The Danger of Living on the Border

I’m sure you’ve heard about the literally thousands of killings that have been going on in northern Mexico. It seems that every day the news is carrying a story about someone else who was killed by the drug cartels, or by their wanabees. Due to this, I am constantly asked if we are in danger living on the border, or if it is dangerous for us to go into Mexico.

The violence that is happening in northern Mexico is caused by the war that Mexican President Calderon declared against the drug cartels. Our government, under President Bush, committed support to this war; not only politically, but financially as well; giving them millions of dollars in equipment, training, and operating funds for use by the army. Since then, the drug cartels have both been fighting back against the police and army in Mexico, but fighting amongst themselves as well.

Unfortunately, not all of the killings have been limited to the cartels. As in any war, there is “collateral damage” a euphemism for innocent bystanders who are inadvertently killed by the warring factions.

In addition to this, one of the major combatants really isn’t a drug cartel, but is more of a wanabee group. The cartels are in the business of moving drugs to the United States, because that’s what makes them money. Anything else is a waste of time for them. Before the current war, the members of this wanabee group were used by the drug cartel as contract help; mostly for violent acts. Now, they think they are a cartel as well.

It is this group that has initiated most of the acts of violence, kidnappings and extortion against the general population of Mexico. The Mexican people are afraid, because nobody seems to know who these people are, where they are, or when they will next attack. Unfortunately, even with the monumental successes that the army has had against the drug cartels, they haven’t had as much success against these people.

For us, living on the U.S. side of the border, the violence is something we mostly catch on the news. There is a blog I check daily for the latest news on border violence. If you want to check it out, it’s at: www.borderlandbeat.com.

We haven’t stopped going into Mexico because of the violence; although I must say, due to other ministry reasons, we haven’t gone in as much as we used to. Although there is some risk, the work of God compels us to go. Every time we cross that border, we pray. But, then again, we did that before the current problems came along.

We expect God to protect us from the violence that is happening in Northern Mexico. I really don’t expect to have any problems. However, should they come my way, I am ready to preach to as many of them as can hear my voice.

In the famous words of Daniel’s three friends, “Our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us…But if not…” (Dan 3:17-18). I love those last three words, “but if not.” It may happen some day doing the work of the Lord will require me to die; but, should that be so, at least I will know that I die doing what my God wants me to do.