Jim

Many of you have heard about the murder of a missionary here in Mexico on Wednesday.  I thought this would be a good opportunity to briefly share the facts as I know them, and to talk about safety in Mexico.

Sam and Nancy Davis were shot at while travelling in Mexico, and Nancy was fatally wounded.

We don’t know these missionaries, and were not connected with them.  Apparently they were United Methodist missionaries who founded an organization in 1989 with the goal of reaching Mexicans for Christ.  They lived in Texas, but frequently travelled across the border.

Our hearts go out to the friends and families of Nancy, and especially her husband.  This was an evil act, and a tragedy.

Is it dangerous to be a missionary in Mexico?

There are actually many ways to answer that question.  First of all, generally speaking there are dangers, but that very much depends on where you are and what you’re doing.

We, and the Davises, and many of you, are willing to take risks for the Lord.  I pray that, if the time came, we as believers would be willing to give our lives.

I have mentioned before that there is persecution of believers in Mexico – in some areas on a very large scale.  Some people are risking their lives to gather together with other believers.  Others are facing rejection from their families, job loss, and other discrimination.  Following Jesus has never been an easy path.

That being said, we don’t feel like we’re in constant danger, dodging bullets and running from gangsters.

What happened?

It’s helpful to get a little background on what happened to this couple.  They frequently drove in one of the most dangerous parts of Mexico (knowing the risks, I might add).  They were also apparently driving a truck which really stood out in the crowd.

The road they were on was the road from San Fernando to the border town of Reynosa – and area controlled largely by the Los Zetas drug cartel.  This is an extremely dangerous area. (there’s some confusion at the moment about exactly where on the road they were)

They drove up to a road block that had been put up illegally by a drug cartel.  Sam made the decision to race through it.  The criminals opened fire and Nancy was hit.

Sam kept driving, racing to the border to find help.  But it was too late for his wife.

From what I heard, this was not a reckless couple.  There were times when they did not travel, because the danger was too great.

Frankly, if we want to reach the world in this day and age, the places that are still without the Gospel are some of the hardest places to reach.  Expensive, closed, and/or dangerous.  Should we then not reach these places?

What about you?

Yes, what about us?  And what about you – many of you have talked about coming to visit – is it safe?

Compared to this region where the Davises worked, one of the most dangerous, our area is actually one of the safest (thankfully).  Also, thankfully, Mexico remains an extremely safe place by and large for foreigners.

I’ve heard from many of you in the USA and Canada – I’ve heard about the news stories you’ve heard.  About foreigners being murdered in Mexico.

But you need to realize the vast number of foreigners that are here.

In 2010, more Canadians visited Mexico than ever in history – over 1.5 million.  And that’s just Canadians.  So you need to imagine that this is like a large city of foreigners.  Are you surprised when someone in Toronto, or Chicago, or Calgary, or Portland, is murdered?  Do you stop visiting those cities?  Did you know many Mexicans are afraid to visit the USA because they hear about the violence there?

They say there is more of a chance you’ll get killed in an airplane accident than get killed in Mexico.  Some have compared it (assuming you’re visiting the safer places in Mexico, and you’re not dealing drugs) to your chances of getting the bubonic plague.

You’ll notice that, when the news stories are talking about deaths in Mexico, they’re usually mentioning names, and mentioning the same names over and over.  That’s because we’re talking about a few isolated cases, not a wholesale slaughter.

Yes, we take precautions, and yes, we appreciate your prayers for our safety.  But thankfully we are living and travelling in safe areas.  And when we ask you, or a team from your church to come, we are confident that we’re bringing you to a safe place.

Could this change?  Of course!  That’s why it’s critical that we use this window of opportunity to reach Mexico with the Gospel.  That’s why we ask you, if you’re thinking about it, to not put it off – come serve the Lord in Mexico while there is still an opportunity and freedom to do so.

We’re happy to answer your questions in more detail.  But please don’t generalize about Mexico and assume it’s not a safe place to go (and obviously many people are seeing through the news stories, since tourism here is on the increase!).

In conclusion

In conclusion, please do pray for the family of Nancy Davis.  Please pray that other believers would rise up and take her place.  Please pray for all those missionaries and other believers around the world who are living in danger.

At the same time, realize that we’re not dodging bullets here.  And although we take ordinary precautions, we’re confident enough to ask you to come and visit us, and join in what God is doing here.