4 Questions Every Missionary Should Ask to Stay Safe – Part 1
Terrorists and extremists; we’ve seen them up close. Radical religious fanatics live next door. Unstable governments with dictatorships or authoritarian leaders- they are common. How do we stay safe on the field?
We have families to protect and care for. When faced with danger, we need to know how to respond with wisdom. It is important to prepare for crisis situations well. Then, when they happen, we are following a plan, not reacting out of shock.
In the last blog, I introduced my friend Joe Malhoit. He worked for twenty years as an investigator with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). My friend shared some scriptures and thoughts about safety from a biblical perspective. Joe is a friend of mine from Bible college days and is also an ordained minister of the gospel.
He also shared four important questions with me. These are what we should ask when preparing for dangerous situations in the field. Before I share those with you though, I want to describe a situation I faced when I felt threatened. Maybe you’ve faced things that were much worse. But this was a time I was genuinely concerned for my safety.
On a Train With Radicals
I had decided to go to Kolkata late. It was an important trip, so though the trains I normally chose to travel in were full, I took whatever booking I could. Traveling in the cheapest class, I was just happy to book a seat on the overnight trip. I’d board late afternoon, sleep on the train and arrive early morning at my destination. Or so I thought…
Saying goodbye to my husband and kids, I took a taxi to the station and waited on the platform for the train to arrive. It would only stop a few minutes. I was ready to get on quickly.
When the train pulled up, I jostled with the other passengers to get on. Entering the train, it began to move while I struggled with my luggage against crowds of people. I needed to locate my designated seat.
As I moved through the compartment I was aware of the people around me. In India, you always have to be aware, especially in crowds. There are numerous strangers waiting for an opportunity to unzip your backpack and grab a wallet or phone out of it.
I began to notice, as I moved closer to my seat number, that this part of the train was full of young men dressed in orange. They were everywhere…rowdy, and chanting slogans.
When I came to my assigned seat, on the top bunk, it was already filled with four young men wearing orange. I greeted them and showed my ticket. “You are in my seat,” I said. They ignored me and continued to chant and make rude comments.
What was I to do?
Finding another lady in a nearby berth who had managed to wedge herself into a seat and refuse to move, I asked for help. “They are in my seat. What should I do?” I asked. “Maybe the conductor will come and ask them to move?”
“No conductor will come,” she said.
It became apparent to me that I was in a part of the train that had been taken over by a gang. These radical Hindus who had no intention of leaving and no tickets to be there. I was scared. I realized I was in a situation where anything could happen in the midst of this mob. A woman alone and unprotected in a context where the law was afraid to come. How would I protect myself?
Whispering a prayer, I said, “Jesus, keep me safe.”
Somehow, I made it through the night. The Lord did indeed protect me. I didn’t get to lay down and sleep though! Constantly aware, I squeezed onto the corner of the berth. Somehow I managed to make it to my destination the next morning. I could have used Joe’s questions that night.
Situational Awareness
Joe says, “I have a few simple time tested principles to help keep you and those around you safe. The best place to start as you work on being safer in a dangerous world is to work on your situational awareness.
I use four questions to help people develop a productive level of awareness. This is similar to the “What If Game,” I learned to use as an FBI Agent. Ask yourself at different points during the day, what would I do if…
Pick a difficult or dangerous scenario. Play the “What If Game” on a regular basis. You will then be less overwhelmed when something threatening or dangerous occurs. It helps you fight your natural reaction to freeze or panic.
4 Questions to Stay Safe
Joe, with my help, will introduce the first two questions here. See Part 2 (next week) for the remaining two questions we need to ask to stay safe.
1. What will I do when someone acts threatening?
There is a broad degree of threatening behaviors. Think about different types of threats. Maybe someone is acting strange or doing physical harm to others. Consider all the different places you spend time, especially gathering spots.
As a way of helping you to anticipate a threatening situation, I encourage you to trust your “sixth sense.” This is when you, even unconsciously, start to pick up on clues in your environment that feel threatening.
Your stomach may become upset, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, or you may just start to feel uneasy.
This is the time to start paying better attention to your environment. Begin making a plan in case violence starts. “Trust your sixth sense, you have been developing it over your entire lifetime.”
I believe what Joe is talking about here is the way God has designed humans to be protected. This “sixth sense” is in everyone. The advantage we have as believers is we also have His Spirit living within us. God can alert you to danger if you are sensitive to His Spirit within you. Don’t ignore the signs and signals He is giving you. Listen to Him as He shows you what to do and what plan to make.
2. What will I do when violence starts?
This question takes it a step further. You need to have some answers before the violence starts. This is key.
When surprised by unexpected violence, most people freeze or panic. You need to have answers prepared ahead of time. Then, you can do something purposeful to survive the situation.
For example, you should already know alternative exits. Identify how you can get out of the place you are in.
Know who around you is good in a crisis, and who needs extra help (like a child).
What do you have around you or on you to defend yourself with? Think of this as cheating ahead, which is important. If you have plans in place ahead of time you will be much more likely to do something productive.
Do It Now- Stay Safe
I’m sitting in a coffee shop. Typing away, I’ve been completely unaware of my surroundings. Not practicing very good situational awareness, am I? It is probably best if I “practice” this in safe situations and train my mind to be prepared.
I just took a minute to become more aware of those around me. I checked in with my “sixth sense” and with the Lord. No one is threatening or acting strange. There are no children or others around who would need help. I found my exits.
Staying safe on the mission field is important for us and our families. God wants to use you for many years to come. You don’t need to assume you will be a martyr. Join me in learning to stay safe.
What threatening experiences have you faced on the mission field? How did you respond? Feel free to share with me by email, on the Missionary Life Facebook group or in the comments below.