If You Did Not Know,lds Missionaries In The News

[Winnie G]

I found myself weeping this morning wile reading the news.

My hart was broken for these two sisters.

LDS missionaries raped in South Africa (ABC 4 - Utah)

http://www.abc4.com/local_news/local_headl...B6-4AE78B888FD2

[Fiannan]

Seriously, if any daughter of mine ever dicided on a mission, and was asked to go to South Africa, I'd be all over that in no time flat and demand that my daughter resign from that call.

South Africa is the rape capital of the world -- especially due to the strange myth many HIV infected men down there have that having sex with a virgin female (of any age -- including babies) will cure you of AIDS.

If a woman wants to go there on a mission then that's her business, but nobody from my family.

[Dr T]

You bring up an interesting issue Fiannan. Does God allow us to not complete what He has planned for us to do? Consider Jonah and Moses. He appears to continue prodding etc. until it is done. What do you think?

[Fiannan]

I think this is more of a free agency issue. Abel was innocent and doing what God wanted him to do but Cain still knocked his brains out. Bad things happen to good people -- that's just the way it is.

[BenRaines]

My daughter served in South Africa, Cape Town mission. She left in 2002 and returned in 2003. She said it was a place where the sister missionaries had to be careful where they went. They always had a car to travel in and they were to be home before dark, mission rule.

While we knew about the situation with AIDS and they myth behind the cure we were comfortable with the knowledge that missionaries have extra protection from the Lord while they are obeying the rules. To often we hear of bad things happening to missionaries and when the facts are know it is because they did not keep a mission rule.

Examples:

Some years ago missionaries left their area, left their zone and went to see the big surf on the rocks. One was washed over and another dove in to attempt rescue. Both drowned.

Mission rules are to obey traffic laws and missionaries have died while speeding and crossing over a double yellow line.

Those are two that I know of. I don't know where or what was going on with these sisters but I do know that they are very strict with where the sister missionaries can go in South Africa.

Ben Raines

[StrawberryFields]

I found myself weeping this morning wile reading the news.

My hart was broken for these two sisters.

LDS missionaries raped in South Africa (ABC 4 - Utah)

http://www.abc4.com/local_news/local_headl...B6-4AE78B888FD2

I had not heard of this... VERY SAD indeed.

[begood2]

That is so sad. I pray that God will give these women the strength to over come this vicious assault.

[Palerider]

I am all for Sister Missionaries going on Missions ......they are really great at what they do .....however....I think its dangerous for all Sisters anywhere in the world.......

[shanstress70]

My daughter served in South Africa, Cape Town mission. She left in 2002 and returned in 2003. She said it was a place where the sister missionaries had to be careful where they went. They always had a car to travel in and they were to be home before dark, mission rule.

While we knew about the situation with AIDS and they myth behind the cure we were comfortable with the knowledge that missionaries have extra protection from the Lord while they are obeying the rules. To often we hear of bad things happening to missionaries and when the facts are know it is because they did not keep a mission rule.

Examples:

Some years ago missionaries left their area, left their zone and went to see the big surf on the rocks. One was washed over and another dove in to attempt rescue. Both drowned.

Mission rules are to obey traffic laws and missionaries have died while speeding and crossing over a double yellow line.

Those are two that I know of. I don't know where or what was going on with these sisters but I do know that they are very strict with where the sister missionaries can go in South Africa.

Ben Raines

I think it's sad that you imply that if something bad happens to a missionary, it's because of a rule that they have broken. I dare say that deaths have occurred with misionaries even though they have followed all the rules.

[Outshined]

I think it's sad that you imply that if something bad happens to a missionary, it's because of a rule that they have broken. I dare say that deaths have occurred with misionaries even though they have followed all the rules.

From the article I read, I got that they were walking down a busy road in broad daylight, doing nothing at all wrong. It just happened to be a group of assailants who had an ambush site planned out, and the sisters were the victims chosen.

Mormon missionary president in KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland Danny Brock said on Monday: "They were walking alongside a busy road (the old Harding highway), which they knew well.

"Moreover, it was one of the busiest times of the day with cars whizzing past. Safer than that, you would not get."

He said a man with a pistol stopped the two women near a primary school and ordered them into the bushes where the other attackers waited. One was armed with a knife.

http://www.mweb.co.za/news/?p=top_article&i=189614

[MBASS]

Bad things happen every where. Two sister missionaries here were robbed luckily no one was hurt or raped. It was in broad daylight in SC outside their apartment. They were returning home for the day.

[BenRaines]

As you can see from the other posts it is not always that missionaries are breaking rules when things like that occur. The two missionaries that were attached on the East coast were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Did nothing wrong and in witnessing an attempted murder were attacked and one killed.

If my post is reread you will not find that I say often, always, mostly. Those words would infer that I believe that missionaires bring most of this on themselves. That is not true. All I was saying is that it is important to know the facts, surprisingly the news does not always reveal all the facts and posts in a bulletin board or forum even less.

To restate. Sometimes bad things happen to missionaries when they do not obey the rules. Mission rules are to help protect missionaries.

Ben Raines

[shanstress70]

As you can see from the other posts it is not always that missionaries are breaking rules when things like that occur. The two missionaries that were attached on the East coast were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Did nothing wrong and in witnessing an attempted murder were attacked and one killed.

If my post is reread you will not find that I say often, always, mostly. Those words would infer that I believe that missionaires bring most of this on themselves. That is not true. All I was saying is that it is important to know the facts, surprisingly the news does not always reveal all the facts and posts in a bulletin board or forum even less.

To restate. Sometimes bad things happen to missionaries when they do not obey the rules. Mission rules are to help protect missionaries.

Ben Raines

Thanks for clarifying.

[MBASS]

I saw this quote on a south african news channel from swaziland danny brock:

Brock said: "The two 'sisters' voluntarily gave up 18 months of their lives to make a difference in this country.

"Now, they're getting the best care money can buy. When this is over, they plan to remain in South Africa and complete their missionary work."

How amazing is that?

[shanstress70]

I saw this quote on a south african news channel from swaziland danny brock:

Brock said: "The two 'sisters' voluntarily gave up 18 months of their lives to make a difference in this country.

"Now, they're getting the best care money can buy. When this is over, they plan to remain in South Africa and complete their missionary work."

How amazing is that?

I know I will get kicked for this but, here goes...

You say it's amazing. I say it's insane. Why does the LDS church (who supposedly 'watches out' for its females by not letting them be in a local meetinghouse without a man) think it's OK to send females to a country where rape is so commonplace?

[MBASS]

I saw amazing in a way in which I cant believe it! I would be on the plane home myself. Guess these girls are made of tougher stuff than me.

[Palerider]

<div class='quotemain'>

I saw this quote on a south african news channel from swaziland danny brock:

Brock said: "The two 'sisters' voluntarily gave up 18 months of their lives to make a difference in this country.

"Now, they're getting the best care money can buy. When this is over, they plan to remain in South Africa and complete their missionary work."

How amazing is that?

I know I will get kicked for this but, here goes...

You say it's amazing. I say it's insane. Why does the LDS church (who supposedly 'watches out' for its females by not letting them be in a local meetinghouse without a man) think it's OK to send females to a country where rape is so commonplace?

if we go by what you just said....there would be no female missionaries from any faith....and while we are at it...lets stop sending all missionaries to any place where they might be shot......I could go on and on with this.......lets just give up and call it quits......

[shanstress70]

if we go by what you just said....there would be no female missionaries from any faith....and while we are at it...lets stop sending all missionaries to any place where they might be shot......I could go on and on with this.......lets just give up and call it quits......

No, if we go by what I sd there would be no female missionaries from any faith in areas that have such an outrageous number of rapes... or other violent areas.

[Palerider]

and if we go by what you said all females should stay at home for fear of the same thing happening

[Fiannan]

I have sent two of my sons on trips to Russia -- didn't fear for their safety at all. One of them went to China -- again, no fear. One of my other sons visited the Ferel Islands and Iceland, no fear either and my oldest worked on a cruise ship and visited Honduras, Ireland, Germany and a bunch of other places.

If my oldest daughter were 10 years older and wished to visit any of these places I wouldn't mind. If on the other hand she wanted to visit South Africa I think I'd lock her up in her room until she changed her mind.

[shanstress70]

and if we go by what you said all females should stay at home for fear of the same thing happening

For some reason, you're not paying attention to what I'm saying before replying. I'm saying that it doesn't make sense to go into areas that are known for violence. South Africa is wraught with crime... especially rapes... see Fiannan's earlier post!

And frankly, I don't even think it has to do with what sex you are. I wouldn't want my 18 year old son to go either.

Aren't there places that the LDS chruch does not send missionaries to because they are unsafe? What qualifies a region for that?

[Palerider]

I understand what everyone is saying......but I personally think its just as dangerous for an 18 yr females to be out and about in this country....do I make my daughter stay home....no.....but we are all concerned for out kids no matter where they go....you can't predict the future....

[shanstress70]

I understand what everyone is saying......but I personally think its just as dangerous for an 18 yr females to be out and about in this country....do I make my daughter stay home....no.....but we are all concerned for out kids no matter where they go....you can't predict the future....

It's absolutely not as dangerous to send your kids out and about in this country... unless you're sending them to East L.A. or somewhere. Crime statistics mean something.

That's like saying it's just as dangerous riding your bicycle the wrong way on the freeway, as it is to ride in a Volvo with your seatbelt fastened... er somethin'.

[prisonchaplain]

<div class='quotemain'>

I saw this quote on a south african news channel from swaziland danny brock:

Brock said: "The two 'sisters' voluntarily gave up 18 months of their lives to make a difference in this country.

"Now, they're getting the best care money can buy. When this is over, they plan to remain in South Africa and complete their missionary work."

How amazing is that?

I know I will get kicked for this but, here goes...

You say it's amazing. I say it's insane. Why does the LDS church (who supposedly 'watches out' for its females by not letting them be in a local meetinghouse without a man) think it's OK to send females to a country where rape is so commonplace?

During the early part of my service in Korea I served as an elementary school teacher for the children of missionaries (there were even a couple of LDS children at the school). There was a break and enter incident in which one of the female teachers was raped. Ironically, she ended up staying, and her roommate ending up leaving.

Note that the school was located in an old-style "mission compound." Such setups are a relic, and are generally looked down upon by missiologists today, because they sequester the missionaries in their little westernized communities, hidden away from the locals. The one upside is that they are supposedly safer.

Personally, I admire the missionaries for staying, but would not have blamed them if they did not.

Missionaries and ordinary Christians face persecution, imprisonment, and in some cases, violence and death simply for identifying as Christians, in some parts of the world. Jesus says that if we try to save our lives, we'll lose them. However, if we lose our lives, for His sake, we will save them.

[Fiannan]

I understand what everyone is saying......but I personally think its just as dangerous for an 18 yr females to be out and about in this country....do I make my daughter stay home....no.....but we are all concerned for out kids no matter where they go....you can't predict the future....

Yes there are dangers everywhere -- here's one in the USA that should shock anyone:

http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/rapecase711

However, South Africa in the last decade has become one of the most dangerous places on earth. I would visit Iran before I would go to SA and I have been to some pretty questionable places (Caracas, Venezuela, East LA. USA...). And if you are really scared of your daughter being out at night have her go to the local sheriff's office and sign up for a concealed weapons permit. Then give her a 9mm -- lightweight and quite accurate.