China: There the driver with the biggest horn wins. They drive very reckless, but there are so little accidents that you can't believe that they keep on driving that way. There is also only one clinic available in the small towns, so they can't afford it to make accidents. Thus, they all stay calm during the times in which they drive in, and they don't get agitated with the other drivers. Most of these people are Muslim.
Malaysia: We were travelling more on the trains than on the road, but we traveled enough for me to make a judgment. The situation on the road is very calm, compared to the previous country. Here the people really like their horns, and if you have one, then you MUST use it. They don't get upset if someone cuts them of, or even if it is their turn to cross a green light and someone speeds over a red light. They also like to just move with the stream, so if one driver is going, then the others are on his tail like a Boeing. They are mostly Muslim.
India: Man, what a ride we had on our way to get to the mountains, yes, the Himalayas. We travelled with 3 mini vans, and we are 29 persons with backpacks. So when we reached the mountains, we started on the passes, and there are really only small spaces available to the drivers. Then you have to use the horn to let the drivers from the other direction know that you are approaching. We had a very close case with one land rover driver. The guy just didn't care where we went, but he wasn't prepared to make way for us, and then our driver did precisely the same, so we thought that we were heading for a crash. Then when they were about to collide, they both stopped, and talked about who was first at the bridge, and so forth. No one shouted, they just talked with a normal tone. That was amazing. We were still in shock from trying to hide from the impact, but they just went on. The road is half the size of the road in SA, and they consider each other. They are mostly Hindi believers.
So, South Africa: This is definitely one of the countries with the highest road rage percentages. When I think back 6 months ago, I can't imagine how much road rage there is. Everywhere we went, we saw people getting worked up over a bit of resistance that they "just don't need", or "they just don't deserve it". And statistics tells us that most South Africans are Christian. What image does that reflect about Christians? The whole world knows what the situation of road rage in SA is, so what are we telling them about ourselves? But most important of all, what are we showing them of our faith? Do we really love each other? Is there long suffering or patience for 2 - 5 seconds? Do you make way and be the least? How should Christians really drive? Is driving in the car a lot different than walking in the street? Would you give an old lady an umbrella if it is raining? Well then, why don't we give way or stop at red lights or stop signs to give them time to cross the street? What is a few seconds? Do we have time for each other anymore? I know this is a lot of information, and a few harsh questions, but can you answer them directly and truthfully.
I am challenging you all to live like a Christian. Scripture tells us that we are free from sin when we ask forgiveness and accept God's forgiveness. But it comes with an additional sentence. Stop doing it and turn from the wrong ways! You can only do this if you really want to change. We need all Christians in SA to stand up for what is right, and to start driving more responsibly.
Challenges are never easy, but that's why we have to life differently. Even when circumstances are difficult, Christ's power is enough for us! Just ask for it and He will give it! He loves His children, and like it is stated in Matthew 7:7-12:
(7) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
(8) For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.
(9) Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
(10) Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a serpent?
(11) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
(12) Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
May God bless you all and may South Africans drive in peace and in harmony with one another!
Blessings
www.cityofmesa.org/.../images/driver.jpg - thank you for the picture!
