You might keep this matter in your prayers. For the past two Thursdays, Men's Fellowship has been focusing on the growing crime problem here. It relates primarily to some island youth who are intimidating tourists at night, sometimes in gangs. Also, I'm told there was a rape of a mainland woman two or three weeks ago. Some people are frightened; most just want to see it put to a stop. While such trouble is "bad for business" there is also a strong sense that we need to protect people, and especially the tourists; they are our guests. A petition urging the mayor and the other powers-that-be to take action is circulating. I am most encouraged by this: On Thursday one of the men suggested that we in the churches observe a day of prayer and fasting regarding this matter. The day suggested is today, Sunday, August 15. I spoke about this at the Friday prayer meeting and again at the morning worship service. It was also the focus of our morning prayer. We prayed for those who are causing the trouble, those who are in authority, and that our response to the problem would be a godly one.
On the lighter side: The praying insects of Utila...
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I've been clearing weeds out of my yard the last few days. (It's gotten hard to hang laundry out there!) I came across this critter, the first I'd seen here. I recognized her immediately; we have praying mantises in Ohio, where I grew up. |
| This must be holy ground. Even the insects pray on Utila! (She
struck a nice pose for me, don't you think?)
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And now for the "Mr. Science" portion of the web page, courtesy of Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Mantis, common name for long, slender, winged insect common in warm temperate and tropical regions throughout the world. Also called praying mantis, these insects pass through an incomplete metamorphosis. Mantids are known for sitting back on their rear appendages and holding their stout front pair of appendages together in an attitude reminiscent of prayer. Actually, the green and brown insects are waiting for insects that constitute their food. Mantids are the only insects that can turn their heads from side to side. Their front legs are equipped with sharp spines that enable the insects to grasp and hold their prey. The erroneous belief that the characteristic position of mantids waiting for prey has a religious significance has been the basis of many superstitious tales about them.
The common European mantis reaches a maximum length of about 6.3 cm (about 2.5 in). This species was introduced into the United States to help control injurious insects. It is now widespread in the northeastern part of the United States. The common mantis of the southern United States, the Carolina mantis, is a native species about 7.6 cm (about 3 in) long, which is known in the South as rearhorse or mule killer.
