War Zones
are treacherous places. Countries where a war has been can remain a dangerous
place even years later. Take Cambodia, for example. Landmines are everywhere
and to this day, some 35 years after their war, undetected landmines and other
unexploded ordinances still kill and maim people. Many of those wounded or
killed today are people who have always known them to be there, their whole
lives.
Wikitravel,
in their “war zone safety” pages tell you, “When in an area that is known or
suspected to be mined, stay on paved road when possible. If not possible,
follow car tracks or well-trod foot paths. Should you, despite your best
efforts, find yourself in a mined area, stop.
Stay where you are and call for assistance from someone who knows what they are
doing. If this is not possible, retrace your exact steps back to safety (this
is very dangerous). If you have a long rod (even a pen might work), you may be
able to check for mines and escape the area. Insert the rod into the ground at
a very shallow angle. Mines will not normally be triggered when they are hit
from the side. You need to check an area just big enough for your foot. Keep
doing this for every step. It could take hours, even days to get out of the
danger area, but you should be alive.”
The US State
Department has pages and pages on their web site and are very adamant about the
dangers of travelling to a country in the grips of war. You are warned of
capture, murder, beatings and worse. Yes, they tell you that if you have to go
there, if you absolutely have to, there are some things you can do to help
protect yourself. Training for the unexpected, escort services or other organizations
already on the ground are all tools and options. Everything tells you to be
acutely aware of the area, the situations you are entering, and all of the
small details. Be aware. It’s a war zone.
As I
prepared for my trip to what could possibly be a war zone this summer, I
followed a lot of their recommendations. I did my best to be up-to-date on the
governmental leadership in the area. I learned the regional languages and
nuances. I packed with the knowledge of the situations, landscape and weather.
I also prepared an exit strategy. There are certain things that I felt could be
used to extricate myself in case I get into the heat of a battle or in the
center of a conflict. Typically you do not have a dog in the fight, you do not
explain your opinion or thoughts; it’s just “exit stage left”, and quickly.
The top five recommended responses by the US State
Department if you are captured and taken hostage are: 1) Retain a sense of
pride but act cooperative, 2) Divulge only information that cannot be used
against you, 3) Make every effort to avoid embarrassing the U.S. and the host
government, 4) Do not antagonize your interrogator with obstinate behavior, and
finally, 5) Concentrate on surviving. If you are to be used as a bargaining
tool or to obtain ransom, you will be kept alive.
As I travel to Ohio for the family reunion I
already know I am in a dangerous area. This is my wife’s side of the family and
I have to be on high alert. She is very sensitive to almost any comment I might
have on anything. Yankee jokes or humor is a bomb looking for a place to
explode. It took me hours to get out of that landmine field just yesterday.
I am already going, it is by my own free will and I
am excited about it. We love her family and getting together after so long will
be good. But family together in a small place for several days can be tricky. I
intend to use the hostage guidelines provided by the State Department as
follows. 1) Pride in being married to my wife will be easy; pride to be a part
of her family, not a problem, 2) Talk as little as possible, only when spoken
to, maybe, 3) see number 2, and 4) I have cash in my pocket to make sure if I
need to “go get ice” or volunteer to purchase any items missed I can do that
without hesitation. I will try my best to be cheerful and involved.
When Jesus performed His first miracle, He was at a
wedding. John 2:1-11, “On the
third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was
there, and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When
the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman,
why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet
come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Nearby
stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing,
each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the
servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then
He told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They
did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had
been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from,
though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom
aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and
then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have
saved the best till now.”” What Jesus did here in Cana of
Galilee was the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory; and
His disciples believed in Him.
Jesus was a bit aggravated, but he knew what he
should do. Now I am not comparing myself to Jesus, but the Bible is a book of
directions, instructions and examples for us to use. He did what He knew needed
to happen and the blessings were astonishing to all. Yes, this is just a family
reunion, but I am no dummy. I am going to try my best to
stay out of a war zone. To not aggravate or distract from the mission at hand.
I am going to pray, smile and be the best husband I can be. Let’s Roll!
