Life in Guatemala

Life in Guatemala is different than life in Canada.  For us, however, what was once strange now seems very normal.  It is as though we get into a routine and we forget about some of the challenges facing the average Guatemalan.  Yesterday, although, we were reminded. 
We live in a small house (casita) in behind a larger home.  The owners of our home, Giovanni and Marissa, are simply wonderful.  They have not only opened up their home to us, but their lives as well.  Yesterday, they were attending the funeral of a friend when a young man was murdered right in front of them.  He had refused to pay an increased rate of extortion and so he was killed.  Last week a young man from their church was shot in his car because he, too, refused to pay the extortionist's increased rates.  Two friends in two weeks.  I wish I could say this is uncommon, but it isn't. 
Corruption is rampant in Guatemala.  I know we have corruption in Canada as well, but not like this.  Everyone has their hand in the pie including many police and government officials.  It affects everything from the seemingly small things, like the bus attendant pocketing a part of the take for the day, to big things, like murder and the police accepting a bribe to look the other way.  This kind of injustice often fills the people with a sense of helplessness and despair. 
Recently it seems as though the newspapers have been more full than usual of stories of murder - in particular, the murder of small children.  Although some murders are related to drugs and gangs, the majority have to do with extortion.  For example, take the young man who was murdered yesterday.  He moved to Coban to help him mom out with a private school that she is the director of.  He has a number of buses that he runs in the capital and normally was paying a flat rate to a gang for the privilege of operating his buses on their turf.  Then, the gang wanted more money...more than this young man could afford to pay and stay in business...so he said he wouldn't pay.  They threatened him and when he didn't succumb to the pressure, they sent someone to kill him right in front of his family.  If he had been married or had children, they most likely would have taken or killed one of them to teach him, and others like him, a lesson.  The majority of people who run a business here, pay someone for protection or the privelege of doing business in the community.  It is commonplace. 
At night, in between the barking dogs, firecrackers, and other noise, we often hear gun shots.  We don't go out walking at night very often, because it just isn't safe.  This is reality for those living here.  It is not surprising that the current president won the election with the slogan, "saftey and security."  The truth is, although, that the challenges facing this country are too big for the government to fix, even if they were honest and above reproach. 
The only source of real saftey and security is the Lord.  It sounds so simple, but it is a very profound truth.  "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress.  In Him will I trust." We know that our Heavenly Father is watching over us, and we are not afraid. 
Please pray for this country - that the message of the Gospel would be preached to those who haven't heard; that the church would continue to grow and thrive and set an example for the unbelievers; that justice and truth would prevail; and that those who are in places of authority would govern with integrity.