What’s In the Box? Develop Your SLS

Jan 15

There's a standard safety skill that is important for many cross-cultural workers to consider developing. It's called the Short Legitimate Statement, or SLS for short. This statement is utilized in numerous situations, but especially if being questioned (or interrogated) by police, customs officials, kidnappers, or other folks who are not necessarily "friendly" to you and what you are doing.

An SLS is unique to each individual, but it is a short statement that answers the question "Why are you here?" "What are you doing here?" You may also want to develop an internet profile and be connected to people who add credibility to what you are doing.

The answer is always the truth, but not (usually) the whole answer. Here are three different examples of SLS statements.

"I am here out of my love for Jesus and for the ______ people." or
"I came to use my skills as a ______ to help the ______ country" or
"I am a teacher teaching ______ because I love living in ______.

What is your SLS about why you are in your location?

Even when we are traveling to other countries, Neal and I make sure we have the same answers for these types of questions to give to airline personnel, customs and passport officials, etc.

Never hesitate or disagree with your spouse on the SLS in front of questioners.

This statement is also one that the children can remember or that is nuanced for them. They need to be able to quickly and easily answer "What does your dad (or mom) do?" They need to never hesitate on this question, or it will cause problems. Practice the SLS with your children on a regular basis and especially before transitioning to the next airport, country, situation, and make sure to adjust it as they get older as appropriate for them and your situation.

What's In "The Box?"
"The box" is a figurative concept of what is safe for you to say in a pressured situation.

1. The SLS.
The SLS is especially important if you are being held for interrogation in a hostile situation. In your mind, the SLS is the statement and the information that is "in the box" of what is safe to say in response to questions. What is in the box is truth. Never lie when under duress or interrogation. Stay in the box, and when a question is asked that is unsafe, bring them into your "box" of what is safe to say.

2. Statements and Facts That Humanize Yourself.
The kinds of things that should be "in your box" are words and truths about yourself that humanize yourself. It includes your SLS - what you are doing in that country and why. Again, never lie, but you may need to avoid answering a question directly (because it would jeopardize you and others), but lead them back to "the box" by answering with something from the box. You can also tell them in general about being a parent, or a son or a daughter, or a sister or brother. Humanize yourself. What's in the box is what will not jeopardize your family but will humanize you to your captors/interrogators. Make it harder for them to kill you if that is their intent.

3. Truth is in the Box. Never Lie.
If you are asked, "Are you a missionary?" Don't lie, but give your SLS. Don't answer the question directly. "I am here out of my love for the XYZ people and I am here doing XYZ job." You may repeat yourself 100 times, but stick to the SLS. This is why it is important to keep your internet profile "clean." Regularly "Google" yourself and make sure that someone hasn't added you to the church webpage.

What do you really want to be know as? Because I am willing to say I’m a Christ-follower, I also easily talk about the Bible, prayer, and what it means to follow Jesus. Don’t use “code” words for these things. It’s silly and attention seeking. I am willing to die being known as a Christ-follower.

4. Re-direct and lead them back "to the box."
Re-direct their attention by using the skill of giving them "safe" information. "I am here because I love your people, the culture, and the food." Tell a story that illustrates this. Talk about what you like about where you live, but don't cause problems for local friends by giving their names, especially if you are an outsider.

5. If they want to talk about God, be careful. It could be a trap.
They may try to catch you proselytizing by pretending interest in Jesus. Be very sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading here, but use the opportunity if it presents itself and you discern God telling you to open your mouth and tell them about Jesus Christ.

6. Be kind in words, actions, and your tone, even in the face of evil, slander, and beatings.
This speaks to them and you don't know what kind of guilt they may be feeling about what they are doing. God is always working in every situation. You never know if you are being interrogated by the next "Paul" of that culture.

*The SLS is a concept I first learned from the trainers at Fort Sherman Academy.