In the 1980s me and my family lived in Mexico where we worked as volunteers with different Churches in both the United States and in Mexico. My then husband and a son stayed in the south of Mexico on a mission and the rest of the family lived in a rented home close to the US border in a town with the name of Mexicali. We quiet often went across the border to the USA because it was much safer to have the postal arrangements there.

On one occasion after a dinner visit with the always so hospitable Mexicans we were heading back home when we were stopped by a cop. He said we had missed a stop sign but that wasn't true. His only interest was in my beautiful eldest daughter with her uncommonly blonde hair. He wanted to slip us a ticket in spite of our wild protesting. My daughter who was called Maria in Mexico now became the subject of his courtship and he began to dance and sing Maria around the car. Then he offered to tear the ticket if my daughter instead wanted to teach him english. Now we didn't know which way to turn for advice. If he ever were to get hold of our living address in Mexico then we wouldn't be safe there anymore.

I had an epiphany and told my daughter to show her driving licence and so she did. 'Cause on it was to be read our last address in the USA and it went like I'd hoped it would. He thought we were living in the USA and that we were only over in Mexico for the day. He released us like a true miracle. "God watches out for fools and little children" goes an wise old saying.* Henceforth though, he was a little suspicious and followed us to the border where we had to drive across it to appear credible despite the fact the three youngest were still at home in the Mexican villa. All is well that ends well, and we could soon return to Mexico and the awaiting children and only pray to the Lord to protect us 'cause we did NOT want to meet the same cop once again.

In Mexico you can buy yourself a licence so driving skills are a bit haphazard. You have to look out not to be rear ended. It is said Americans have gone missing in Mexico and they are not looked upon with kind eyes. They proclaim USA have been stealing land from their land in times passed. As we came into calamity with the law enforcement or the so-called federal policemen it was of highly importance to get them to understand that we were not Americans even though we were driving around in an American car.

Once we were halted by the so-called "federal policemen" with their machine guns. When they comprehended we were Swedes, they let us go. The two oldest children learnt spanish quickly and that was a huge benefit when we were caught in a predicament and conundrum like this.

Believe it or not but the children saw angels on horseback surrounding the car as we were out driving in Mexico. If there were anywhere you needed a guardian angel it had to be there.
Despite all the dangers, we learned to love this country and will always return there, as soon as time permits.


(Bibbi 8 Maj 2008)

L Patrik W Johansson english version 14, 17&19 Sep 2013