An Argument for Snow

In our security briefs, it is reported that traffic accidents are the worst problem for foreigners here. More foreigners are killed in traffic accidents than by any other cause. If that weren’t bad enough, if you survive there is little, if any justice in the traffic court system. Mobs will form that always take the side of a national against a foreigner in any dispute. And the mobs often turn violent – traffic accidents involving foreigners have been the spark of several major riots. Police will often not do the right thing without bribes and we don’t pay bribes. Or so they say at the security briefs.

As I was turning left onto the street where I live, the left side of my vehicle was struck by an auto which was trying to pass me by speeding into the oncoming car lane. A crowd gathered and five witnesses, all claiming to be off duty policeman, claimed that they had seen me strike the other car.

When a policeman came, he stated firmly what had obviously occurred, standing up to five or six “witnesses” screaming the contrary in his face. First, the witnesses suffered the indignity of being asked to explain how the car that had been struck in the side (mine) had hit the one with the front end damage. It seemed to me that they had expected that stating who hit who would end the dispute. They attempted no explanation, but rather all agreed that they had seen the accident happen in the far right lane. In a court of justice, such a change of story itself would constitute perjury. My observation that all the debris was on the far left side of the road did not matter much.

Though they were not vocal, it could not help but be noticed that there WERE some present in the crowd who were on the side of truth. The other driver and I were able to arrive at an agreement, (heading off the possibility of both vehicles being impounded and us both going to jail pending a government investigation). It was an unusual agreement in that the foreigner (me) paid no money. During the discussion I had the opportunity to say to the other driver, “I didn’t hit you, you hit me”. As a believer in the power of the spoken word, I know that this will not return void – it will have an effect.

In retrospect, the accident demonstrates hope for Afghanistan. If everyone everywhere is ready to lie without fear, than hope for the heart and mind of this nation is gone. But there is good reason for hope here. God saw the Afghan police officer standing up to six young men in his face. No bribe!!! God saw the teenage boys inspecting my car and agreeing, “It is not possible that this car hit the other”. God saw a national friend being summoned by the neighbors on my behalf. He came and took the risk of milling with the crowd to ensure that I was safe. Remember how Abraham bargained with God for Sodom? If we bargain the same way, I believe this people will not be destroyed. Let us persist in prayer for snow this year.