From Seth Barnes Blog:
Maybe you saw this news story on Tuesday:
American Christian group to end goodwill mission from crime-ridden capital
KINGSTON, Jamaica – A U.S. Christian group said Tuesday it will find a new location for its goodwill trips to Jamaica after 39 young missionaries were robbed at gunpoint in the crime-prone capital of Kingston.
The American missionaries from the Georgia-based Adventures in Missions were robbed Monday by two gunmen who broke into a Salvation Army school for the blind where they were volunteering, said school official Major Ward Matthews.
“They’re just glad that no one pulled the trigger,” Matthews told The Associated Press.
Yes, folks, that’s the organization I founded, squarely in the international lime light. Wonderful. Not the first time either – several years ago in a horrible nightmare experience in South Africa one of our missionaries was killed in a botched robbery.
How do you respond? We knew Kingston was dangerous, but, for goodness sakes, we were working in a school for the blind. We had been bringing hope there. You want to tell these people, “Have you no shame?!” Indeed, that is what our partner Major Matthews said, “It’s shameful that we all live in fear, and that friends from the United States who come to help us improve our work among the poor are targeted.”
- Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you…
- All men will hate you because of me…
- When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another
- Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
- Anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Jesus’ revolution is a revolution of love and sacrificial risk. We are its inheritors and stewards. We can’t back down from the fact that by taking our message of love to risky places, we may suffer. I don’t say this cavalierly. I’ve put my own life in harm’s way multiple times as I’ve served Jesus. I’ve sent my own children around the world and asked them to take risks that most parents would consider unacceptable. The fruit is that they own their faith and their prayers have authority.
The Muslims consider it a privilege to be martyred, but many of us Christians love life too much. In contrast, we western Christians have built up our assets and allowed our affections to be compromised – we have a lot to lose. So those of us who want to teach others how to take spiritual risks as I do have to worry about lawsuits. Honestly, the pendulum has swung too far on this issue in America.
As for me, I’m going to follow Jesus’ advice. When they persecute us in Jamaica, we may flee to another place, but we’ll be back!
so do you think this was a case of “persecution?” or just simply vandalism? does it make a difference? just some thoughts. 🙂
glad to hear everyone is safe!
I would yes to both – Obviously the apostles were persecuted in much worse ways… but, God promises suffering and persecution to all believers… it’s part of the package!