This has been a tough question to answer without just using the quick NO!
Let's look at it from a biblical perspective.
"My people perish for lack of knowledge". Hosea 4:6
"In this world you WILL have trouble". Luke 16:33 (Jesus) Note that he didn't say you might or could but he said you will. Emphasis mine.
“…He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” Matt. 5:45 (Jesus)
“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven, but I have given you authority…to overcome the power of the enemy” Luke 10:18-19
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring
lion looking for someone to devour. RESIST HIM!” 1 Peter 5:8
Put on the full armor of God… so that you can take your stand against the devil’s evil schemes... so when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground… and extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one Eph. 6: 11, 13, 16
These are some good scriptures but I just know someone will ask the question, Isn't God going to protect his people? I say yes he will but we can't just pray and say okay I did my part, God you do yours. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe.” I see action here we have to run to him that is taking action right? So we have to be smart and take action. I can't just put myself in a bad position and expect God to take care of my immediate danger. That's what Satan would want me to believe so he could make me question Gods infinite Mercy.
“The pure man or woman, not the innocent, is the safe-guarded man or woman. You are never safe with an innocent man or woman. Men and women have no business to be innocent… Innocence is the characteristic of a child.” – Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest June 24... This is Reality. So just because we are Christians doesn't mean we can't be aware of our surroundings or protect ourselves. It doesn't mean I go around looking for a fight either but I can protect myself and loved ones if I need to.
“A time to kill… … a time to heal”
“A time to love… … a time to hate”
“A time for war… … a time for peace” Eccl. 3
So what does this look like for Missions? Read the news. You'll find that Mexico is in the middle of a serious drug battle and if you search enough you'll even find that it is considered the Third most violent country in the world. Look at any of the countries ending in "stan" - violent.
How long then before Christians, missionaries or the word of God is closed to these countries? We don't know but the Good News needs to be taken.
As I prepare my family for moving to Mexico as career missionaries I can't help but know God was preparing me my whole life. I was strong willed as a kid and sometimes very volatile when mad. My parents wouldn't let me do martial arts but eventually allowed me to wrestle. Then after graduating I went into the Army for four years and then did four years in the Nat'l Guard. I grew up. Then I did 10 years in Law Enforcement. God also gave me a passion for martial arts and to teach it to others and a passion to serve Him.
In Mexico I have a vision to use martial arts as a outreach to share Christ with others. Like myself a person can train either for sport, recreation or self defense, then take what they have learned and open their own school. With God's grace they will have a strong relationship with Him and will share their passions. If this is done through a community center type setting nationals can also be taught English as a second language which will help them procure better paying jobs. They can be taught other life skills like parenting or skills to help them earn an income. All because I am willing to take action and say here I am Lord and step confidently forward.
In His Service!
Darrol & Kim
