I waited to post this until we’ve almost left Mexico for a reason, which will soon become apparent. I know many of you are worriers, but your anxiety would not change a thing and would only serve to stress you out. Don’t worry. Everything is fine, and God is in control. What more could we ask for as comfort? But, it is significant, as you will also see, so I wanted to share it with you.
I want to tell you about an incident a few weeks back, on the Thursday of our week of Simplicity. After we had bought lunch for the two men I mentioned in a previous blog in Matamoros, our team walked back over the elevated walkway over the busy street between the HEB where we ate and a shopping center/mall called the Plaza Fiesta. After we got to the other side, we stopped under a sign in the noisy parking lot to pray about what we ought to do next. Suddenly, a man started running toward us and shouting. Even Jessica, who studied Spanish Language and Literature at Purdue, could not understand what he was saying, but when he got to us, John noticed him making the gesture of a gun with his hand. What we found out after we walked back to the Plaza Fiesta was that there had been a shooting (one of two that afternoon in Matamoros) on a city bus about thirty of forty feet from where we had been standing. Apparently, it was gang- or mafia-related, but we could not hear the shots because of the noise in the area. The shooting sent the area into a bit of a time of calm and organized “chaos” (if you can call it that) of with emergency vehicles, shoppers forced to wait to go home, and onlookers filled with morbid curiosity but never concern. God was definitely sheltering and protecting our group.
“He said: ‘The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior- from violent men you save me.'” 2 Samuel 22:2-3
While observing the reactions of the shoppers as they emerged with their bags in tow, ready to head home, I was taken aback by the calm and peaceful expressions on their faces when told of the shooting. For them, that day was just another day trip to the store. It was then I began to realize “Hey, this is normal for them. They see these things all of the time, and a shooting in a busy street no longer demands a shocked or mournful reaction. How sad it is that this has become their reality!” God broke my heart for this community, and I began to cry at the realization of the injustice suffered here on a daily basis by residents of the Matamoros area. God allowed me to see these people through His eyes and shared a little of His compassion for them with me. He also clearly told me “Kyle, you’d better start studying your Spanish, because you’re going to be back here.”
“…The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future. Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign LORD.” Ezekiel 12:27-28
I obviously do not know exactly what this means at this point in time. I’ve been give the instruction to learn Spanish, so I will do that. I’ll probably pursue Spanish as one of (yes, I said “one of”) my degrees when I return from school. Obviously, I’ll be back in Matamoros at some point in time, but I have no idea in what capacity. It’s not important right now. God will reveal His plans to me in His timing, and in the interim, I will offer Him what He ultimately desires- my obedience.
From a usual worrier: Not worried for you at all b/c I can share a couple of similar “protection” stories. Some of our better-heeled family members are always trying to get us to move b/c we live in a rougher part of town. However, this is our home, our memories, our place. Two stories come to mind of God’s protection: once husband Dan and I were walking near the elementary school in our neighborhood (safe enough; you’d think, eh?) and a huge wave of about 50 tough looking teens came rabbling and running, about to knock us over. Dan pushed me gently but firmly over and out of harm’s way as they ran through right where we had stood.
We’ve been robbed 3x. One time Dan was still asleep (I was already gone to school)and rolled over to see someone eye-to-eye with him, reaching up to take the change off his nightstand. He chased him out (“What were you thinking?” I asked him later!!!); the guy dropped the box of change as he vaulted the fence (Dan didn’t!); neighbor found it in the bushes and we recovered the money. The banker didn’t see the “miracle” in the story b/c grass was at the bottom of the box and it messed up their automatic change counting machine (in the days when banks still did that).
Ps. 91 is a wonderful one of protection. I shall be praying that for you more and more. Hugs, BWat