The way things are

I am already contemplating what it will be like to describe typical life of Argentina face to face. I do my best in this blog, and now.. quite literally one year into my time (ONE YEAR!?).. I can not help but think that my reaction during my two weeks in the States, not for another 2.5 months, will be the best education.

But one thing worthy of note, especially due to recent events, is the necessary precautions one must take around here.

After all, one of our very own was robbed during the night within her first month of arrival.

Raul's car was robbed of it's radio last Sunday.

A taxi driver took an extra 20 pesos from Steph by lying to her, telling her she had only given him 2.

Then on Wednesday Joy had paid attention to a couple, in broad daylight, in the middle of the city and yet in a not-quite-Starbucks (that is, a decent Resto-bar), who made a few attempts to steal purses from the unsuspecting.

This past Friday, in the middle of youth group in Santa Rosa, a man came in calling for Raul and another, whose car was parked just outside. They ran out (very dangerous I might add), to stop a small group from trying to take what definitely wasn't theirs.

Robbery is a way of life here. It's important to be on your guard, and yet to love the people as best you can. I suppose it's similar to that verse about being shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves. Do not be ignorant of the ways of the world; certainly be innocent of it.

I would feel comfortable riding my bike home for the night for a couple of miles--if I were in the States. It's just not something you do here. Even where you put your purse in your car is not safe, as Joy (how come she's always the one?) had watched a motorcycle circle back around a block just to punch a window, and take the purse left on the passenger seat.

The bigger question here may be this: what brings a people to rob this often? Rest assured it is a complicated answer, with many pointing fingers. It also has a spiritual element, for sure. But truly pondering this question will hopefully remind us to put faces and names to those who may one day rob us--will hopefully remind us how much they need Jesus. Just like creepy dude in the previous post...

Chau.