Gossip and Snakes

This Wednesday brought surprise news...

according to news radio here in our town, there were 2 anacondas that escaped into our lagoon and were making their way around the lagoon villages eating cows, chickens and looking hungrily at children.

Worse yet, the rumor focused around a supposed 'gringa' who brought these 2 beasts into La Moskitia years ago to raise.  Supposedly, she had a hidden pool and fed them cow meat.

Reportedly, the purpose for her possession of these deadly creatures was this... to exterminate the Miskito people.

I know, it sounds absolutely far-fetched.  Especially when the gringa they are accusing is a friend of mine.     And when we are all trying to share nothing more than the love of Christ through Word and deed.

There were many who called in to the radio show and felt like all gringos needed to be sent out of the area because there was no true way to know who was good or who was bad.   This was a tad bit unsettling.

The last few days, we have brought this topic up with everyone we know;  we have initiated conversations and asked questions so that we can add our part to the story.    It was important that we bring it into the light instead of allowing this to grow larger and larger.

For the last few days, we've been met with more than a few odd looks which is completely out of the norm for our lives here.

Today, I walked to a friend's house fully expecting to see some faces that would not even look into mine.  And yet, it seems the hysteria may have passed.    'Buenas dias' and 'Hola' and numerous smiling faces peered back at me... and my heart was sorely relieved.

As I've told you before, one never knows what a day will bring in La Moskitia.

Really though, gossip is world-wide;  not limited to any region.   

Gossip is serious business and it hurts, directly and indirectly.     Let us stand firm against the sin of gossip that so easily entangles us and causes so much harm.