so what about that paro?

Today is the 8th day of paro.  It's gone on a lot longer than a lot of people expected, and it looks like if it's let up a little today it's with the purpose of coming back strong to keep at it for the long haul.  The basic issue is gold mining.  People believe that a foreign-owned mine is going take needed water and contaminate it.  This article explains the issues in more detail if you're interested.

So what is 'paro' like?  Being a fairly peaceful province, it's as new for most Cajamarcans as it is for me.  Here is a typical day... There is no school, all the businesses and the mall are closed, there are no public buses.  In the early morning hours there are a few taxis and mototaxis risking working.  Later on if they run into the 'huelga' (angry mob carrying sticks looking for trouble) they'll get their windows busted up.  So a new thing I'm seeing the last couple days are mototaxis working with big signs that say "VIVA EL PARO" or "WATER YES, GOLD NO."  I really don't know how that's working for them.  The huelgas are definitely the biggest source of stress in paro.  You know what the mob mentality is like, they just get themselves all worked up so they're marching in the streets and shouting and looking for a fight.  They'll take their rage out on anyone working (not supporting the strike), or anyone that seems to have anything to do with the mine.  That's what makes us nervous, being gringos.  Lots of tiendas (small, family owned stores) are staying open, but the moment they hear the huelga coming they close it all up.  I heard some tiendas are really price gouging, but the tienda next door to our house is selling us the basic supplies they have (loaf bread, cartons of milk, toilet paper) at the normal prices, and I think that's noble.  Oh that brings me to a big point.  The protesters have blocked all the roads going in and out of Cajamarca, and taken over and shut down the airport.  That means that all tourists who happened to be in Cajamarca have been stuck here, if someone needs to get to a bigger hospital for a health emergency they can't, and no supplies are coming in.  After a couple days the whole city ran out of chicken, fish, and gasoline, propane, etc.  Now there are no vegetables.  The tiny bit that is available from local sources is selling for outrageous prices.  And there are reports of other people stealing food from people on their way out of the market, which is only open a couple hours early in the morning.  Before paro started we stocked up on food so we're good for quite a while still.  Yesterday and today were finally a little bit more relaxed.  They opened the road for a couple hours to let in some supplies.  (Because they're suffering the consequences too)  Today I got 2 chickens!  And my worst fear was realized but turned out ok.  Yesterday the propane tank that runs our gas stove ran out!  But today Forrest found a place that got a shipment of gas these past days when the roads were opened a little.  So we are good for at least another 2 months.  We keep hearing that the water will be shut off, so I haven't been doing laundry for fear of using up our tank of water right before that.  There are also frequent rumors that there won't be electricity, but so far it hasn't happened.

The population is really divided over this.  Some are completely wrapped up in the issue and believe what they've been told about the effects of the mine and think it's worth any price to close the project.  Others feel like they're being held hostage by hooligans.  People are losing a lot of money.  Every day that passes each person feels stronger in their point of view.  Our congregation has adapted quickly to talk to the people on the topic that they're all thinking about.  We ask people how the paro is affecting their families, why they think these conflicts are so difficult to resolve, who might have the solution, etc.  I've personally had a lot of success with 2 Tim. 3:1-3, that in the last days men wouldn't be open to agreement, and then continue to talk about what the last days are, and what better times are to follow.  

Because we've had food/water/electricity the paro hasn't severely affected us.  After 6 days though, I think that tension in the background started to accumulate in me and I felt angry that people can do what they want, and there are no consequences.  Sure the government recognizes their "right to protest" but how is it ok to block all the roads and let violent mobs run free in the streets?  I've had to think about what I already know-that in these type of conflicts there is no innocent side.  At times like this we Witnesses really stand out.  I'm so proud that all the people see us preaching to people in the streets just like always.  We're so peaceful and refreshing to see compared to all the divisive people carried by the currents.