Pecos

I had just finished teaching a class when Pecos wandered into the fellowship hall. Pecos and his wife Linda are Missionaries in Mexico City, and they are strongly supported by HHCC. He asked me if I was a teacher and I replied that I taught H.S., 40 years ago, but spent most of my career as an actuary. He obviously knew that actuaries are “math people.”

I have to pause here and express my displeasure with people who refer to some as “math people” and others as not “math people.” The reality is that I believe mathematics is part of the language God used to create the universe and if anyone of us stopped and carefully reviewed all the things we do, we would find that we all use math every day of our lives and would be lost without it.  Getting off my soapbox now.

Anyway, we exchanged some pleasant conversation (I had never met him before), and somehow the suggestion came around that young people should be encouraged to critically think for themselves. As you can imagine, there was some mature people comments like taking cellphone out of their hands and making them talk, etc. I asked him where in Mexico he was from and he replied Mexico City. I’ve never been there but I know two things about it. First, it is one of the largest cities in the world (22 million metro area and 6th largest in the world - I looked it up to verify).  Second, it has a crime problem. When he told me, he must have saw the concerned look on my face because he quickly added that the city - like all large cities - has a crime problem, but you know what locations and times are safe and which aren’t. This made perfect sense to me having lived in New Orleans for several years.

Then he elaborated to say that he gets invited to speak and he used to drive a couple hours northwest in Mexico for some engagements but has decided that it is safer to fly than drive. This also seemed to fit with what I have heard of the cartels.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” - Psalm 23:1-6 ESV

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” - Ephesians 5:15-21

“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” - Mark 16:15-16

I admire people who God has chosen to go out into the world to proclaim the good news abroad. I don’t think I’m one of them but I have to qualify my assumption with “Here I am, Lord.  Send me according to your will and plan.”