We watched The Rescue, a National Geographic documentary about the “against-all-odds story that transfixed the world in 2018: the daring rescue of twelve boys and their coach from deep inside a flooded cave in Northern Thailand.” Most people followed the story day-to-day as it unfolded over the 18 days the boys were trapped. In addition, I’ve read a book about it. Nothing matches the drama of this documentary, shot within the cave itself and featuring the brave, expert cave divers and thousands of others who assisted in getting the boys and their coach out. (We accessed the movie on Disney+. I don’t know where else it’s available.)

Here are some highlights of what we observed having watched the documentary twice!

• A British cave explorer who lived in the area had mapped that cave in detail. (How’s that for God’s providence?)
• The government sent in the Thai Navy Seals, brave, fit men who had only one problem. They didn’t know anything about cave diving, and the equipment they had was completely unsuitable.
• The local Brit was very firm with the government: “Here is a list of the world’s greatest cave divers. You need to bring them here.”
• John and Rick from England were the first on the scene. The Thai Seals were offended that these two middle-aged Brits might be better for the job than themselves. It took a few days for John and Rick to even get permission to go into the cave. (“The water is too high; if you die in there, we’re not going in after your bodies.”)
• When John and Rick arrived, they found, as they described it, absolute chaos. Fortunately a nearby U.S. Air Force unit came in and put order and structure into the operation.
• The first time John and Rick went in, they found four Thai pump workers who had gotten stranded. No one even knew they were there! And John and Rick learned something “diving them out.” The pump workers panicked during the rescue. John and Rick had to fight with them. That told them that they wouldn’t be able to dive the boys out (the boys hadn’t even been found yet).
• Rick and John found the boys on Day 10, 2.5 miles from the mouth of the cave. All 13 alive and reasonably well, all things considered.
• But how to get them out? Here’s where the blog title, “Playing not to lose” comes in. The Thai culture is a “save face” culture. They don’t like to fail. Therefore, they don’t like to do risky things.
• The divers, Rick and John, theorized that the boys could be dived out IF they were sedated. So they called a fellow cave diver, Richard, a doctor in Australia, and asked if he could come and sedate the boys. “Absolutely not. It will never work.” But he came, and after several days they had a plan. No one thought it would work, especially not for all 13, but it was the only way.
• The Thai government was reluctant to do it. Remember? It might not work, and we would lose face. Finally, someone convinced the government with this argument: “If you don’t let us do this, all 13 will die. Of that there is no question. If we do try, some might die. It’s not much of a choice, but it’s the only choice you have.”
• And you know the finish: all 13 came out alive on Days 16, 17, and 18.

Sometimes we have to take risks. When we do, it’s best to have the very best people on board. The desire and bravery of the Thai Navy Seals were not enough. The operation required expertise. In this case, expertise developed because these divers, by their own admission, took up cave diving because they were terrible at team sports. “Doesn’t play well with others.” They were largely loners. But the rescue was very much a team effort, with everyone doing what they could do.

We have a very important mission. It too requires diverse expertise AND a team effort. The same kinds of people that make good pastors, for example, are generally not suited for pioneering mission work. (I’ve written about this before.) Our mission is urgent. As I wrote earlier this week, we can engage everyone on the mission now. The cave rescue used the people they had, doing what they could do. Only a few of them were highly skilled cave divers.

And, we have to play to win, just like the Raiders did Sunday night. Playing not to lose is not a suitable strategy.

Sorry this blog is longer than usual. If you have a chance, watch The Rescue. It’s worth your time.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. (1 Corinthians 12.4 – 6, ESV)

He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher. (Ephesians 4.11, MSG)

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4.4, ESV)

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12.11, ESV)

One more thing: over the closing credits was an original song: “Never give up; never give in.” That will preach, too!

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18.1, NIV)