{"id":5513,"date":"2015-04-08T08:24:20","date_gmt":"2015-04-08T15:24:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/?p=5513"},"modified":"2015-04-08T08:43:21","modified_gmt":"2015-04-08T15:43:21","slug":"practical-mobilization-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/?p=5513","title":{"rendered":"Practical Mobilization"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Missions-Catalyst-no-tagline_large\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"Pickpockets\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

Become a Smaller Target:<\/h2>\n

Seven ways short termers can lower their profile, not get robbed, and return home alive<\/h3>\n

By Shane Bennett<\/p>\n

The clock ticked relentlessly as I toyed around with the content of the call I\u2019d soon have to make to her dad. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, sir, but we\u2019ve lost your daughter. I\u2019ve<\/em> lost your daughter. Yes, you\u2019re right, it was my responsibility not to lose her, but I have.\u201d My stomach hurt pretty bad just thinking about it.<\/p>\n

Our group had spent the day scattered around the Turkish city we\u2019d come to know and love. We were all due to return to the apartments at 10pm. Sharon didn\u2019t show. I flipped back and forth between fear for her safety and anger that she was probably fine, but just lacked the good sense to get home on time.<\/p>\n

Just before official throw-up time, I heard her happy, chatty voice precede her up the stairs. I smiled as she recounted her amazing day then, borrowing language from twenty years into my future life as a parent, I asked her to get ahold of me and let me know next time. After a heavy sigh and about 30 exclamations of \u201cthank you, Jesus!\u201d I fell into bed.<\/p>\n

Although the day may come, I am very grateful I haven\u2019t lost a short termer yet. In the few hundreds of short termers I\u2019ve interacted with in some way\u2014led, trained, or cheered on\u2014there have been no deaths or kidnappings and wonderfully few lost wallets, passports, or dreams.<\/p>\n

So maybe a key way to stay safe on a short term is to go with me! Say, to care for refugees in Sicily, perhaps? (I was hoping you\u2019d come to that conclusion on your own, but didn\u2019t have the patience to wait!)<\/p>\n

But maybe you have other plans for other places. All the same, you still don\u2019t want your companions, especially if they are kids, to die in the process. My friends at Crisis Consulting International<\/a> share these time-tested starter tips to help you keep a lower profile and stay out of trouble; essentially, how to become a smaller target.<\/p>\n

1. \u201cBe wise as serpents\u2026\u201d<\/h4>\n

Learn all you can about the peculiar risks and dangers of your destination before you go. Seek the wisdom of your local hosts, but also expand on it. Their street smarts lower their risk and may cause them to minimize your danger. Seek additional information from sources such as the U.S. State Department<\/a> and from the company supplying your travel medical insurance.<\/p>\n

2. Make sure you\u2019re insured.<\/h4>\n

Include reliable international medical and evacuation insurance in the budget. Your church\u2019s insurer probably offers this product or you can find a number of options online (e.g., search at Brigada.org<\/a>). The cost of a medical evacuation in the case of an accident or illness can easily be tens of thousands of dollars. Without insurance, you may have to come up with that money before an evacuation will be initiated.<\/p>\n

3. Be a smaller target by being a bigger one.<\/h4>\n

There is safety in numbers. Crime studies consistently indicate you are 80-85 percent less likely to be the victim of a crime when you are with at least one other person. Pairs are good; small groups even better.<\/p>\n

4. Look local.<\/h4>\n

As much as possible, blend in. Granted this is harder to do if you\u2019re following point number three, traveling as a group. You can find the balance. Learn from your local hosts what dress is appropriate. Pay special attention to cultural norms. Don\u2019t advertise your citizenship, your religion, or your wealth by wearing clothing that draws attention to you. Consider staying at mission guest houses (or airbnb.com<\/a> places, a recent favorite of mine) rather than western hotels. If it is safe, use local transport rather than tour buses.<\/p>\n

Can I say something specifically to American readers about looking (and sounding) local? If you\u2019re not American, don\u2019t feel excluded, just happy that this may not apply to you.<\/p>\n