I know that I already posted today but this post couldn't wait. So this past week there has been a lot of craziness in Reynosa and the surrounding towns. It is very normal for there to be shootings in Reynosa at least once a week which is bad, but right now it is everyday.
There are 2 main drug cartels in Reynosa, and they are having a little war right now and when you add the Mexican military into the mix it amplifies the situation even more. Some locals have told me that all this is happening because one of the cartels, the CDG (cartel del golfo), who was in control of the Reynosa had their leader arrested last year so their rival cartel, Cartel Zetas, took over. There is now a new leader for the CDG, and he made a deal with the Zetas to be in control of a certain area outside of Reynosa to keep the peace between the two cartels. However, one of the CDG helpers has stayed in Reynosa and started causing problems last week. The Zetas told the helper to leave by Feb. 22 or things were going to get ugly. The helper did not leave so now the Zetas have told the CDG boss to bring the helper to the Zetas by the end of Feb. or a war will start. So right now in Reynosa there are the Zetas, the real CDG, the CDG branch that has started this situation, the federal and local police, and the Mexican marines shooting at each other.
It is very normal to see 5 marine hummers go by with guns loaded and ready to fire, helicopters, and a lot of pickup trucks and SUVs driving around. Unfortunately, Tuesday I encountered one of the cartel units coming back from a well. I was in a pickup with one other guy, and we had to stop in the middle of the road because two pickups had blocked it. Around 13 more pickups and SUVs crossed the street to a gas station and set up a parameter to protect I'm guessing one of the bosses. All the trucks had multiple men in full army attire with guns drawn and pointed. It did not hit me what was going on until we were able to get back on the road. Thankfully, God was in control of the situation and protected our truck. I have heard that the cartel, police, and military are not afraid to just start shooting even if civilians are around. God allowed us to pass at the right time before anything bad could start.
The next day I was just looking at the news and found this article that I think is really interesting. I guess it is bad enough here right now that even the US consulate closed!! But if you read around the middle of the article you will read about the guys I came across in Cuidad de Mier. I guess after my encounter the police arrived and there was a shoot out and 10 local cops were kidnapped . . . yikes!! Another interesting thing about this article is how the Mexican government keeps saying that all the stories are rumors. This is not the case, however, especially of late. Many of the operators here have seen shot up cars and even dead bodies in the street or in cars. I do not want to scare you with all this info but it needs to be addressed and prayed for. I am safe, and if I feel unsafe I will not hesitate to come home because the job is not worth that risk. SLB is starting to put in rules and sending people on vacations early to minimize the risk.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/25/us.mexico.consulate/
Pray that things will die down here, that He will keep me safe and all my co-workers and their families, and present Himself to a lost and hurting city.
If you could also pray for me and my tests that I will be having in the next couple of days that would be great too!! I had enough stress with these tests and now with the craziness it makes it worse!! I think that all the stress, being in a different culture and language, and not having christian fellowship has worn me down considerable. Its been a pretty rough past week. I can't believe I have been here in Mexico for over 3 months now . . . time sure does fly!!
Isaiah 41:10,13
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. . . For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you!
