KDurant7 blog adventures

Bogota, Colombia 1987

On two occasions two men in military uniform came to our door and asked to come in to ask us a few questions. We have always been polite with strangers, so we allowed them in and offered them coffee. They explained they were being watchful of the neighborhood as “guerrillas” such as the FARC had been coming into the cities to spy and scout out potential targets for material exploitation, kidnappings, or other useful manipulations. That was the very thing these men were doing! I am sure they were disillusioned with us as we lived very simple back then and we had nothing to steal, no important authority position, and having Bibles around the house, we were obviously Christians not interested in joining political controversies. We really thought nothing of their visit, but I asked my students if these men had come to their house as well. They animatedly replied that the military never goes door to door, that these were guerrillas seeking opportunities and that we needed to be careful! I often think of how important it is to choose words wisely as in Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. How important it is to be hospitable to everyone as we really do not know their intentions. We should never be rude towards anyone but always ready to be an example of being humble and respectful. God will protect you and me, but we must behave in a manner that pleases him, even when it involves potential danger.