Colombian Christian Mission

COLOMBIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION
Dale and Jeanie Meade
In the jungle and prairie of Southeastern Colombia
Volume 15, Issue 3 March, 1987

LAYING LOW

Many things have happened here in Colombia during the last month. Perhaps many of you have heard about some of them on the evening news. Major events, both in the realm of the drug trade and the guerrilla activity, have really shaken Colombia recently. Both have brought new threats against Americans and warnings from the authorities for us to take a low profile. For a few weeks, we even had a constant police guard outside our door. Even now there are frequent patrols that check up on us. I dare not go into details about the nature of these events. But those of you who are familiar with the work here in Colombia can read between the lines.
Taking these warnings seriously, we have been laying low. I canceled some of my night time Bible studies and turned others over to the Colombians. I made arrangements for the Colombian leaders to come to the house for more organizational type meetings. I shifted gears and became a management type person, at least for a while. For that latter part of one week, the kid's school was closed down for security reasons. Since then we have always taken them to school and then picked them up afterwards.
All of this has meant that I have extra time here at home. In a way, that was a blessing in disguise. I have been able to accomplish many odd jobs around here that have been on hold ever since we returned from furlough, over a year ago now. First, and perhaps most important, I installed a burglar alarm system that we had purchased in the States and brought back when we returned. There were several leaks in the roof that I fixed. There were repairs to the ceiling and some tile to be replaced. By the end of the month I had every job on the list out of the way.
There was also time to catch up on correspondence and bring a semblance of order to the office. For two months now I have gotten the newsletter out on time. Every letter has been answered. I have even written many letters that I have been wanting to get out, such as inquiries about literature and requests for permission to adapt or translate teaching material for publishing. We have spent time doing the actual revision of some of our teaching literature and placed orders for the updated versions.
So, as is often the case in missionary work, one must be able to roll with the punches and take advantage of changing circumstances. That way time is used in the best way possible, in spite of everything. Now after one month things seem to be settling down again. We are very thankful that none of the death threats have been carried out. We are also thankful that all of this happened after the work crew left rather than before or during their stay here. We are slowly beginning to return to a more normal schedule. But still, according to statistics, a person in Colombia is 89 times more likely to die in an act of violence then they would be in the States. So now we peek off the balcony and make sure no unfamiliar person is leaning against a light post up the street. We try to travel different routes as we got to the church or other places we frequent. But in the end, we place our trust in the Lord and his protecting hand. We are careful, but confident.
There are many things which I simply cannot share with you because of the public nature of this newsletter. Prudence dictates a certain amount of reserve. But these are trying times for the work (and the workers) in Colombia. That means a great deal to us as we face these new challenges to God's work here in Colombia


(PHOTO)

Work crew members finish one of the large signs painted for the church.