KBKaren BreitkreuzOff-the-route trips to South Africa, Belize and Europe

Customs Officials, Aid Boxes, and a Silent Struggle Abroad #shorts

17 Sept 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:40

In this YouTube short, the speaker recounts a tense moment at customs during their second trip abroad while transporting boxes of humanitarian supplies—primarily toothbrushes and bandages—for people living in a refugee situation. The narrator describes feeling intense anger toward the heavily armed, official-looking customs officials but deliberately remains silent, recognizing that uncivil behavior could jeopardize the aid delivery and lead to personal trouble. The narrative highlights the personal emotional struggle of balancing frustration with the practical need to get essential aid through a hostile checkpoint.

Chapters

So I sat over in the corner on my suitcase while I let the men in the group deal with the very armed and official-looking people in customs. This was only my second trip abroad. Truth be told, I was too angry to be civil, and I was smart enough to realize that being uncivil would get me in a whole lot of trouble, so I stayed quiet. I had these boxes full of things that were going to be practical and very needed for people living in a refugee situation. I mean, toothbrushes, toothbrushes, bandages, nothing major.