The Flip Side of Responsible

Bekah, graffiti artist, age 12 (Wouldn't you trust her?)

 Earlier in the week I wrote about how Bekah is the responsible fifth-born who thinks she is the first-born.  One drawback in having an air of efficiency and confidence is that people sometimes forget you are still just a kid.


Back in 2008 we hosted a team from a supporting church.  The final day in Mexico, we took them on a shopping/sightseeing trip to downtown Oaxaca City.  We agreed to meet back at a certain parking lot after a designated time, and then divided into groups, making sure each small group had at least one man if possible.

Shopping in the chaotic 20th of November market area, Bekah and one of the women got separated from the men who were serving as their body guards.  When we met back at the car, these two gals were missing.  Several men went back into the market, but there was no sign of Bekah or Darla.

Darla felt completely at ease, being with one of the Lokers, whom she assumed of course would know her way around downtown Oaxaca.  Wrong!  With great confidence, Bekah (not quite 13-years-old) led this poor friend the wrong direction.  When someone finally found them and directed them back to the waiting group, Bekah admitted that she was still too young to make many trips downtown like our older kids, and had no idea where the parking lot was.

It took me years before I could go into that market and reliably come out on the street I intended to be on.  It's very confusing.

Leaving the parking lot, Bekah and Darla are in front of Tim (in red shirt)

Debbie is now 13, just a bit older than Bekah when this incident occurred.  I made it very clear to the team we are helping with this week that she is just a young girl and to not put too much confidence in her even though she is a native of Oaxaca.  Just covering my bases....