Crime

Murder of Texas Couple in Cartel-Terrorized Mexico Has Faith-Based Missions Reconsidering How to Prepare Volunteers

Couple Murdered in Mexico Has Missions Reconsidering How to Prepare Volunteers

John and Wanda Casias knew the risks of being missionaries in one of Mexico’s most violent, cartel-dominated regions, their children say, but they refused to curtail their work and instead put their ministry ahead of their safety.

The couple’s slaying this week during a home invasion comes as missionary groups are rethinking how they prepare their volunteers to live in Mexico and other hotspots — or whether to send them at all.

The cartel-fueled violence in Mexico has made parts of the country so dangerous that the U.S. government warns Americans not to travel in those areas. Mission groups, which have long flourished in the border region and other areas, have been forced to dial back outreach efforts and some have cancelled trips altogether out of fear missionaries could be targets.

For those determined to work despite the risks, at least some groups are starting to send volunteers to the same security training camps corporations and aid groups have used for years to prepare their employees for risky overseas assignments.

“For all of our new missionaries in recent years it is mandatory that they get security training commensurate with the risk level in that country,” said John David Smith, executive director of the Baptist Missionary Association of America Department of Mission, which has four families currently volunteering in Mexico according to its website. His organization also has put in place other safety measures such as forbidding missionaries from driving in and out of Mexico, which would force them to travel through more dangerous border areas.

The Casiases, who were from Texas but lived in northern Mexico for 29 years, were found Tuesday by one of their sons at their home in Santiago, Nuevo Leon, both strangled. Mexican investigators have said they suspect they knew their attacker because no doors or locks were forced.

Another son, John Casias, said he had spoken to them many times about their safety, but they lived by faith.

“They weren’t ignorant,” he said. “He (John Casias) knew about the murders. My mother knew about what was going on in Mexico. They understood it. They knew it. Were they scared to death? No. They weren’t going to live in fear.”

Their deaths came about one year after another missionary from Texas was killed in Mexico. Sam and Nancy Davis were driving out of Mexico in January 2011 when gunmen tried to stop their truck about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Reynosa. When they refused to stop, the gunmen fired, killing Nancy Davis. The Davises, too, had done missionary work in Mexico for three decades.

Sam Davis has since gone into hiding, his mother, Francille Davis, said Thursday.

“They’re still wanting to kill him,” she said of the gunmen. Davis, who lives in South Texas, said she did not know where her son was, but did not think he had returned to Mexico as a missionary.

It’s unclear how many Americans are missionaries in Mexico. No single agency tracks the missions, which establish churches and schools, build homes, run feeding and counseling centers and perform other outreach. There has been no evidence that the Casiases were targeted by a cartel, and authorities believe the Davises were likely attacked for their truck. Generally, missionaries say they try to keep a low profile and go about their work.

David Dose, who runs Fort Sherman Academy, a security training firm in Idaho that specializes in faith-based clientele, said his training has increased 400 percent in the past five years. While faith-based groups were slower to seek such training than corporations, he said he’s seen a change in the past couple of years as groups look for more ways to prepare than faith alone.

“They‘re already spending all the time and money they can just to prepare for what they’re doing and volunteering,” Dose said. “But also there’s been a bit of a struggle between at what point is it just not in the same spirit.”

The academy’s training generally covers areas such as information security, risk assessment and minimization, as well as specific situations such as hostage taking. He said while aid groups in some hostile countries hire private, armed security guards, the faith-based groups he works with do not.

“There’s no desire to take an arsenal and go protect yourself in that way,” Dose said of his faith-based clientele. “We’re having to deal with how people can use their brains and the thinking that God gave them to try to improve the situation. But in the end … you have to assume there‘s probably some risks you have to live with because you believe in what you’re doing.”

Many organizations have seen the number of missions they send to Mexico decline.

Daniel Rangel, director of River Ministry/Mexico Missions, which is part of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, said he only had about 80 mission groups last year compared to 400 before the violence got out of hand. Most that do come stay on the U.S. side of the border and just cross during the day and return later, he said.

The reduction in missions has been difficult for their partners in Mexico. “A lot of the people on the border feel abandoned,” he said. They still ask churches to send resources even if they can’t send volunteers.

For years, Jim Walters, director of Vision Ministries in Indiana, brought mission teams to Saltillo in northern Mexico. They would fly into San Antonio, rent vans and drive into Mexico through Laredo.

But a few years ago they stopped going.

“I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the safety and security issues,” Walters said. “People were more reluctant to go.”

Before making his decision to stop the trips, Walters said he spoke with many other groups doing similar work.

“I sensed a lot of them had discontinued or were seriously considering,” he said. “It’s a shame. A lot of good work and resources have dried up for them.”

They now take their missions to Barbados.

ABC News on the Casias deaths:

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Comments (45)

  • FoxholeAtheist
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 9:46am

    I thought the power of prayer worked every time? Maybe someone isn’t a true Xtian?

    Report Post » FoxholeAtheist  
  • TEARS FOR AMERICA
    Posted on February 6, 2012 at 8:06am

    While our borders remain fluid for violence to slip through…how many wake up calls do we need in America?

    Report Post » TEARS FOR AMERICA  
  • TemayElbor
    Posted on February 5, 2012 at 4:08pm

    The administration should study the IMMIGRATION LAWS OF OTHER COUNTRIES and how they are ENFORCED. Do other countries encounter same problems that we do?

    I heard that Mexico’s Immigration Laws are more strict than the U.S……so why not apply the same laws to Mexicans who come to this country? I think, if it is done this way, there will be lesser complaints and abuse.

    Immigration Laws should accomplish that ORDERLY TRANSITION (not chaotic, as what is happening now), that leads to American citizenship.

    Report Post »  
  • BobtheMoron
    Posted on February 5, 2012 at 10:04am

    I cannot believe that they are merely reconsidering. Let the ****ing Mexicans do whatever they do. Live, die, sell drugs and murder each other suits me. Close the border and shoot anyone crossing illegally. Problem solved.

    Report Post » BobtheMoron  
  • johnpaulkuchtajr
    Posted on February 5, 2012 at 8:12am

    The drug cartel enforcers must have not read Janet Napolitano‘s remarks about the border being safer than it’s ever been!

    Please, Big Sis, can we take down the “No Go” signs in the AZ desert. They spoil the view of the land of the free and home of the brave!

    Wait until all hell breaks out with Iran and all those Iranian agents start waltzing through U.S. shopping malls and middle schools with fully auto AK 47′s. Who’s Big Sis and Obammie going to blame then? Of course, George Bush!

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on February 5, 2012 at 5:58am

    Is there not enough poverty, hopelessnes, despair, pain and suffering right here in America ??? Why cant they do their goood work right here at home ??? Why go anywhere else ??? Is’nt helping your own people and your own country more important anyway ??? And safer too !!! Why not stay here, and save souls here? And help single moms here ? And help drug addicts here ? Why not ? I dont get it …..

    Report Post »  
    • doxyonr
      Posted on February 5, 2012 at 6:45am

      You are right there are plenty of people in need right here in the US.

      Report Post »  
    • cassandra
      Posted on February 5, 2012 at 11:54am

      Detroit you are RIGHT try saving Americans first most people here need it (say like the democrates )

      Report Post »  
    • palerider54
      Posted on February 5, 2012 at 3:16pm

      You are right, there are plenty of poor and needy people here, BUT, the poorest of the poor here are still obese, have air conditioning, food stamps, and so on.

      The biggest difference is we have freedom of RELIGION, the only reason for a poor person to not hear about the gospel message is they refuse to go to a Church that is preaching it. Their decision.

      In many poor third world villages, not only is starvation a reality, but there are no Churchs within walking distance where they can hear Gods plan for salvation.

      Our poor live like KINGS compared to their poor.

      Report Post »  
    • ldaopines
      Posted on February 6, 2012 at 10:57am

      What makes you think it’s safe to go into poor neighborhoods here in the US?

      Report Post »  
    • ldaopines
      Posted on February 6, 2012 at 11:06am

      Detroit Paperboy, there are plenty of churches in poor neighborhoods. What are they doing? What are they preaching? Is it responsibility, faith, hope, and love? Or is it bitterness, contempt, entitlement, and hopelessness? Start there…

      Report Post »  
  • TomFerrari
    Posted on February 5, 2012 at 5:26am

    Prepare them with the Armor of God (Ephesians 6)…
    Oh, and firearms and ammo…
    And a hardened Hummer.

    A truly secure border will cut off the drug flow, crushing the cartels virtually overnight.
    With this many murders, kidnappings, and this much violence, WHY AREN’T MEXICANS DEMANDING A SECURE BORDER??????

    Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • TEARS FOR AMERICA
      Posted on February 6, 2012 at 8:11am

      Mexico is not calling for a stronger border because the elite in Mexico are making a killing (literally) off this administration, off the brain-dead youth of America that have been dumbed down into drug and alcohol oblivion, and the parents who allow it in their own weaknesses…dear God…

      Report Post » TEARS FOR AMERICA  
  • mrsalvage2
    Posted on February 5, 2012 at 4:00am

    The Missionaries of the Independent Fundamental Separated Baptists who actualy go into the roughest of places, who are actually working with people are the real deal.

    They are in harms way and know that any moment they will be called upon by GOD HIMSELF to give the Gospel, Preach, or Die.

    This is what you sign up for when you choose to serve the ALMIGHTY. It is just HIS way.

    I have met those who had been on the frontlines in South Africa, Mozambique, China, Burma who just got their first shipment of the first portions of the Bible in their own language, EVER, and Haiti.

    The rewards are the greatest at the tip of the spear, so is the risk.

    The work in Belarus and Chezch and Romania is huge, because the People are desperate for the WORD of GOD, as they now know it is no better now than it was behind the iron curtain. There is only GOD.

    Haiti is going through a Spiritual Revolution, the VooDoo is all but finished.

    Africa is taking over the call as the West slides further into faithless post modernism, and Asia will be their Mission field.

    For the GOSPEL to go, it takes folks like these two dearly departed.

    They go even though most of America does not care at all. They do this not for America, they do it for their Creator who is now discarded, derided, and disrespected by a nation founded on the Blood of Baptists from Mass. to N. C. Alamance Battlefield.

    They are the origniators of the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights.
    and have Cornwalis’s

    Report Post » mrsalvage2  
    • wilted6orchid
      Posted on February 6, 2012 at 7:40pm

      My parents are missionaries in Mexico. I am so proud of them. They work tirelessly and are often abused by the corrupt government, the hand-out generation, and plagued by thieves. This is the life they have choosen to live for Christ. If they can share the peace (which passes all understanding) with the innocent peoples living in this rough environment, then God protect them until he calls them home!

      Report Post »  
  • ldaopines
    Posted on February 5, 2012 at 2:07am

    I am concerned about the thousands of young people sent off to all areas of the world for missionary work. In the past, this has been a wonderful opportunity for young people to learn about service and the world while developing adult skills……but now there is the reality of global unrest, riots, zealotry, kidnapping, cartels, etc. and it’s happening more in more places. Too often, our government has to deal with negotiating for them. Unfortunately, it’s those very places that need the healing, hope and love that faith can bring. Bless all missionaries of all faiths.

    Report Post »  
  • richard bensen
    Posted on February 5, 2012 at 12:49am

    God bless these people..however a higher calling is not the issue…a higher caliber (ie..45 cal) is…

    Report Post » richard bensen  
  • keaton
    Posted on February 5, 2012 at 12:01am

    Killed with guns supplied by Eric Holder?

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on February 4, 2012 at 11:17pm

    Really ? they are re thinkig safety issues in a freakin war zone ??? Sorry but you might as well do your preachin in Somalia ….. It aint safe … Dont go there … PERIOD !!!

    Report Post »  
    • bikerr
      Posted on February 4, 2012 at 11:36pm

      Hey– Paper“boy”. You are just one pathetic individual. People were killed and you think “your” comments are helping. You are below the standards of a vomit filled POS. you come up with heartless statements about this couple. Did you have a traumatic experience in day care or what!?. Bile from a pig’s anus is sweeter than your soul!

      Report Post »  
    • bikerr
      Posted on February 4, 2012 at 11:39pm

      Also– Paper“boy”–Mexico is not a war zone. Dummy.

      Report Post »  
    • draydaniels
      Posted on February 5, 2012 at 12:21am

      Seriously, Bikerr. Duuuuuuude, you like, need to really get off the reefer, bra.

      Come on, really!? Have you read a single news story about Mexico in the last five years? Tens of thousands are being murdered left and right in Old Mejico like it’s the effing national sport. 45,000 and counting. The narcos are wiping out people on both sides of the border using terrorist tactics right out of Hezbollah’s playbook, and the mainstream media downplays each event for the sake of their nasty little political agenda.

      Frankly, everybody’s sick of the whole deal, and the only practical solutions are intolerable to nearly everyone, so we all just ignore what’s happening to our cousins south of the border, and we wait for the inevitable civil war to erupt…

      BTW, if you are going to make comments, Bikerr, then try, for the love of Zeus, to get your facts even remotely straight so you don’t come off like a useless, ignorant tard. Even if that’s exactly what you are, pretend that you aren’t and do a little reading first. I recommend googling “mexican drug war death toll” in your browser and be prepared to be enlightened. Or not. It’s entirely your choice.

      Report Post »  
    • bikerr
      Posted on February 5, 2012 at 1:28am

      @draydaniels-These people have been in mexico for many years. We have comments about how dumb they are and you go after me?. You and the little boy need to grow up! oh and by the way never did “reefer”. never did drugs and never did alcohol. So you are wrong in so many ways.

      Report Post »  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on February 5, 2012 at 3:47am

      Hey bikerr
      Then you take your no drinkin no smokin ass and go preach in that non war zone, which has had twenty times more deaths than Iraq and Afghanistan combined… And wipe your vomit off yr chin and go brush your tooth you moron ! And im sure those were wonderful people, but now they’re dead wonderful people….. It was’nt homicide as much as it was suicide…. You ignorant turd…… But you aint got the sack to go preach in that NON WAR ZONE… or you’re scared… Or you might be just barely smart enough to stay away from the middle of a civil war…… Pick one ! Moron…And you probably ride a Vespa….

      Report Post »  
    • Brooke Lorren
      Posted on February 5, 2012 at 6:59pm

      Mexicans need the gospel too. Our church personally sent out a million tracts to Mexico last quarter, and I think that we plan on sending several million this year.

      One preacher once said something like it is never a bad idea to give away what you cannot keep (i.e. your life) in order to gain what you cannot lose (as in eternal life).

      Our church mentioned their family in our prayers on Thursday. I’m not sure if we knew them or not.

      Report Post »  
  • Tim Law
    Posted on February 4, 2012 at 9:56pm

    This is a sad story, yet these people placed their calling above personal safety. I feel they should be honored not spoken ill of. There is no longer any place on earth that is safe. We are being targeted right here in America. We are hated from without and within, their are those seeking to destroy this Nation and her people. So should we just give into fear and hide in terror? Hope not to be noticed? It’s to late for that, Evil is alive and well living right here in the good old U.S.of A. American’s are being murdered right here in America every single day. Take a look at our Nation and the world in general, it’s not pretty. John and Wanda Casias died doing what they believed in, trying to bring hope to people that have no reason to hope. There’s a good chance they brought some hope and a little joy to other peoples lives. You can bet the good Lord is well pleased with them and happy to have them home. I’ll pray for their family and know the Lord will support them in their loss. The Casias died serving the Lord and their fellow humane being’s, what greater act is there. I can only hope that my end will be as noble . May the good Lord bless you John and Wanda, for you are in a far better place than those of us still here! Amen!

    Report Post »  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on February 4, 2012 at 10:48pm

      Brave people..who take incredible risks..missionary work has always been dangerous,I’m sure they knew the risks..I admire them

      Report Post »  
  • sooner12
    Posted on February 4, 2012 at 8:54pm

    May they rest in peace.

    Report Post »  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on February 4, 2012 at 8:34pm

    Remember the “kids” who hiked a little too far into Iran? Remember Americans who keep getting caught by Somalian Pirates? Heck, let’s throw in the bible dude traipesing across Asian borders- ask yourself, when you 1st read the story/stories – didn’t a part of you say “What were they thinking?”

    Missionary work is noble and beautiful. It is ALSO stupid if you place, not only your own bodies in harm’s way, but your Nation at risk to have to react to your venture. Obama’s Apology Tour meant open Season on us. Don‘t ’cha all get it???

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on February 4, 2012 at 8:27pm

    Mexico is slowly falling apart. Some of it is civilized and relatively safe and governed. A lof of it is ruled by the cartels….just like Columbia used to be. Honest Mexican officials are far and few between. Money talks in poor areas and most of it is poor. It is a narco state in areas and needs military intervention and retraining. Mexico is failing. We cannot put up with Mexico’s stupidity much longer.

    Report Post »  
  • gemmeri
    Posted on February 4, 2012 at 8:23pm

    This has always been one of the basis for the debates we have in my household regarding missionaries & their work. Who is anyone to dictate the terms under which another culture decides to live? And, why would anyone in their right mind intentionally move to & live where they are not wanted? Let the cartels kill each other off first. People on drugs or exposed to drugs are not in their right minds. People who choose drugs as a lifestyle are not in their right minds. This is real simple stuff. There is too much work to be done here still in the US. Why aren’t you faith-based do-gooders helping people who really want & could use your help? Why not re-direct your efforts to get people off welfare or help find down & out people a way back up. This is also real simple stuff. Why waste your time, efforts & money on people you do not really understand? I would have thought this was a complete no-brainer. Get real, people.

    Report Post »  
    • boundforglory
      Posted on February 4, 2012 at 9:50pm

      What have you done to help those who are down and out, what have you done to help feed the hungry, well, what have YOU done? Instead of slamming people that are doing what Jesus has commanded us to do, why wont YOU do something to help those in need here in the US and let the missionaries do what they are called to do, it would get done much faster!! Everytime a Christian tries to do some good these days, you have the atheists standing there trying to stop them. I am a Christian and I give of my money and my time to help those in need here in the US and overseas. So I will ask YOU again, what have YOU done to help others?

      Report Post »  
    • oldwmn
      Posted on February 5, 2012 at 6:35am

      I agree I volunteer with Veterans in honor of my MOM & DAD both served in WWII US ARMY I also volunteer with Native American Children who need help, and I volunteer for women who were abused,
      I do not like that CHRISTIANS think they can go to other countries and tell others how to pray or how to vote or how to live..TAKE CARE OF USA and let the other countries take care of their own..how would you do gooders like it if the RUSSIANS or GREEKS, or ROMMA GYPSIES came here and started dictating who you should pray to and how you should vote..or run your country..you can not have it both ways.. MEXICO is living off $$$$$ folks mail home from jobs in USA and as a person who lives in AZ for 40 years with MEXICAN GANGS in our area most of you foks back east do not know squat about what really is going on in most US border states.. TAKE CARE OF USA FIRST let the barbarians kill each other off like they have been doing for thousands of years ..

      Report Post » oldwmn  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on February 4, 2012 at 7:46pm

    Thats easy, you don’t send them during dangerous times???

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
  • pamela kay
    Posted on February 4, 2012 at 7:35pm

    FLYOVRBOB, Love your comment. I don’t get why some people stay here if they think Beck is so stupid. There are plenty of other sites they can go to.

    Report Post » pamela kay  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on February 4, 2012 at 7:26pm

    If we are unwilling to go to war with Mexico’s drug cartels as well as American suppliers with a mission to “search out and destroy” than we might as well legalize that poison and be done with it. The so called War on Drugs is an illusion.

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • ZAP
    Posted on February 4, 2012 at 7:02pm

    Were they killed with the guns the DOJ sold to cartel?

    Report Post » ZAP  
  • marybethelizabeth
    Posted on February 4, 2012 at 6:48pm

    Dumb as rocks Glenn Beck said on his radio show Friday that Americans are targets because America is a paper tiger and won’t do anything about Violence against its citizens.
    No. That is not why.
    Americans are targets because Americans have MONEY.

    Report Post » marybethelizabeth  
    • flyoverbob
      Posted on February 4, 2012 at 7:00pm

      Anyone going to mexico has money ,relative to its citizens.I think the point is put their as against the wall when things like this happen.Show them what price they will have to pay.And don’t give me some bleeding heart bull,Im not buying,and obviously neither are they.

      Report Post »  
    • Seabass82
      Posted on February 4, 2012 at 7:02pm

      Probably a little truth in what you and Glenn said…..does that make you dumb as rocks as well?

      Report Post »  
    • flyoverbob
      Posted on February 4, 2012 at 7:02pm

      And by the way when you call a man like Glen dumb do you expect anything you say to carry any weight?

      Report Post »  
    • marybethelizabeth
      Posted on February 4, 2012 at 8:05pm

      I don’t mind sharing the stupid things Glenn Beck says because not everyone is able to listen to every minute.
      Fridays show was a doozey.
      For instance, he said the only people that are racist in this country are people older than him. That statement describes the majority of Mr. Beck’s audience.
      But just think about it. America is supposed to be the world’s policeman when Mr. Beck is not even willing to give military assistance to our friends, saying he was against military aid to Israel the day he returned from his trip.

      Report Post » marybethelizabeth  
    • flyoverbob
      Posted on February 4, 2012 at 8:51pm

      @ Marybeth
      I can’t imagine you listen to his show too when you feel he is dumb.I like glen ,and I could listen to all of his show but I have other things I’d rather do.
      But with that said I wouldn’t take your word for anything since you continue to say the man is dumb as a box of rocks,when any objective person would not agree.

      Report Post »  

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