A Monthly Publication

2  Where are we going?

“Siganme !” - the word almost jumped up off the road at us. It was 1989, the height of Argentina’s Presidential election campaigning and we were driving along the main thoroughfare of Mar del Plata, one of the largest cities in the Province of Buenos Aires. The enthusiastic supporters of Carlos Menem had taken his campaign slogan to the streets - literally - painting the words on all the major roads in their efforts to persuade the people that he was the man to lead them out of the terrible economic and political mess the country was in.  Hyper-inflation exceeding 3000% and the fallout of the Falklands disaster - and “the Dirty War” that preceded it - had brought the country, once the richest in Latin America, to its knees.

“Siganme” means “Follow me”. But where to?  What was very clear was that for every one making such a claim others were pressing equal but opposing claims. So who should they follow ?  Reminded me of a ‘bumper-sticker’ which read - “Don’t follow me, I’m lost too” !

Argentina is a very big country - 11 times the size of Great Britain - and roads are long and often featureless. Road signs are very important. Nevertheless we saw many riddled with bullet holes, some preferring to use them for target practice rather than directions.  How good are we at ‘reading the signs’ ? Reminded me of the warning Jesus gave the religious leaders of His day - “You seem to be able to read the signs of the weather, but you can’t read the signs of the times.” 

High in the Andes mountains lies the magnificent National Park of Nahuel Huapi with its great lakes and stunning panoramas. On its largest lake - over 40 miles long - pleasure cruisers cut a fine figure though the water, creating an illusion of purpose. In reality they only carry passengers round in a circle, bringing them back where they started.  As passengers offer them lunch, scavenging seagulls greedily follow anyone or anything they recognize as a meal ticket.  Was this the following that Menem had in mind ??    If you aren’t going anywhere, it doesn’t matter what route you take - otherwise you need a map you can read or a trustworthy guide you can follow.

Over 1000 miles to the East lies the major  city and seaport of Mar del Plata with its dockyards, fishing fleets, and bathing beaches rivalling the Riviera. Dominating the sea front is what is claimed to be the largest casino in the Southern hemisphere. Thousands come in the forlorn hopes of making their fortune - all but a very few do not. Just opposite this amazing building are dozens of second-hand shops where people who have lost everything at the casino tables are forced to sell all they possess - from watches to cars - to try and get out of trouble.

In the fish docks, the scavengers are again never very far away, coming from all directions; seagulls, seals and even sea-lions, ready to seize whatever they can.  In contrast to the opportunist scavengers, frantic get-rich-quick gamblers, or simply ‘get away from it all’ holidaymakers ( going nowhere in particular ), the fishing fleets are serious and industrious. Fishing in the South Atlantic is no picnic. Those who risk their lives to earn a living and supply food for the table know they must make sure boats and gear are in good order before they set out - but they must follow the fish!

People everywhere were clearly concerned and worried about the future. In the central Plaza of one fair sized market town, I talked with the young people hanging around. I found them very much like kids at home here in England. They had the same fears and concerns - as well as hopes and aspirations that would probably not be realized in the harsh realities of life.

Wherever we went were clear signs of deep hunger and unsatisfied thirst;  strident political graffiti adorning almost every spare bit of wall-space in every city and town; strange wayside shrines for travellers to “La Difunta Correa” - recognized by offerings of bottles of water and vehicle licence plates!

These hark back to an incident in the 1840’s when Deolinda Correa is said to have been trying to rejoin her soldier husband but lost her way and died of thirst in the desert;  however, when her body was found by Gauchos, her baby was found alive still suckling from her breast. This ‘miracle’ elevated her to the status of a folk saint and soon shrines in her honour were being set up all over that region of Argentina. Strange, really, that someone who had lost her own way and died of thirst should be considered to be just the one to be able to help lost and thirsty travellers ......!

                            I was reminded of  another woman whose life was in a complete mess until she met Jesus beside a well. That day she accepted His offer of “living water” and in receiving it found her life completely turned around and set right.

In my “day job” with the Customs & Excise, I had on occasions to visit Sculthorpe Airbase during special exercises. We had to drive across the huge runway, but with both fighter and transport aircraft coming and going, this was a very dangerous place to be.  However, this could be undertaken safely PROVIDED we closely followed the “Follow Me” truck as the driver of that vehicle was uniquely qualified to lead us to safety.

The journey of life is surely too important to undertake without a trustworthy guide.

Reflecting on all this I returned to the unique claim of Jesus who still invites us to follow Him - “The Way, the Truth & The Life”. The journey may not be comfortable and may well lead through tough places, but at least those who have embarked on this journey with Him know that we will eventually arrive at our destination.