Tijuana Assistant Chief of Police Gunned Down
About the Author
Ben spends most of his time working with underprivileged kids in Tijuana, Mexico, encouraging them to continue their education. He's an unofficial member of Iglesia Bautista Monte Horeb, which runs the elementary school, Centro Pedagógico Didaque.
This morning I was the scheduled 10:30 AM chapel speaker. At 5 AM I crawled out of bed in order to prepare my animated talk that included props. Just after 8 AM I left the house allotting ample time to run a few errands enroute. Wrong! Quickly I entered a monstrous stop and go traffic jam. In two hours I moved one mile. People were driving five lanes breadth on a two-lane road. The smell of burning clutch was pungent. The shoulder was a mix of overheated, broke down, out of gas vehicles, and one not-so-talented señora that tried to pass on the right and ended up high-centered. Even police were stuck in the mess—which never happens here as they always flip on the siren and lights, barging their way out. Rumors were flying about what could be the problem up ahead.
By 11 AM, chapel service was not going to occur. I was finally able to pull a U-turn, and headed back home. It’s now 12:27 in the afternoon, and the reason for the backup has been confirmed. Tijuana’s Assistant Chief of Police, Arturo Rivas Vaca, was murdered minutes before I left my house. He was gunned down on the road in which I daily commute. Hence the backup of traffic.
There have been a rash of police killings in Tijuana over the last half-year. But this is big and this is sad. Who knows what he was involved in, or not involved in—but Old West (in)justice is ever present here. Please pray for those in power in Mexico (elected or not). Their decisions need to begin with a fear of the Lord. Then they will receive wisdom like Joseph, assistant to King Pharaoh, or King Solomon himself.
The poor in Mexico are not the only ones in need of evangelism. The unreached peoples are often those at the top.
September 22nd, 2006 at 7:02 am
I did a lot of research last year on Mexico, and their corruption and drug problems. It’s a sad thing to watch happen, but you are doing something about it! :D And soon, I can come down there too and help! It will be great to see you this weekend buddy! Miss ya tons! I have a blog now, not a lot on it at the moment, but it’s getting there!
phatphotography.blogspot.com
September 29th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
Wow, did not know this. Your in Tijuana? So is my brother. He works with kids too through Spectrum Ministries and Reflect Ministries. He lives in Playas de Tijuana . . . he hasn’t said a thing! I’ll have to give him a call. But irrigardless . . prayers for all you all, anyway.
October 10th, 2006 at 7:50 am
It says “Michelle in MX” — Are you also in Mexico? I’m aware of Spectrum Ministries, but not Reflect Ministries. I’ll have to look them up.