Okay...
This...
well...
Dang, I don't know how to introduce this...
I don't know how many of you are a familiar with the
socio-political situations in the nation of Columbia.
Essentially, the country is torn apart by multiple warring
paramilitary factions, some driven by the cocaine cartels, some
(unofficially) by the government, and some by simple guerilla
rebels. Essentially, no one is safe.
Well, we just got a message from a daughter of our church
congregation, Janna Bowman. She is living in Columbia and
working for an organization called JustaPaz. This organization
is the peacemaking, pastoral support and human rights ministry of
the Colombian Mennonite Church. Their main focus is to try and
bring about peace in Columbia by opening dialogue between the
different military factions and being advocates for the innocents
caught in the crossfire of political turmoil...
Here is Janna's message:
"I was hard at work this afternoon when Ricardo [founder and
retiring director of JustaPaz] came and stood behind my computer,
and then rested his elbows on it. When I looked up he said
calmly-"well, another credible source with even more detailed
information has confirmed the reports. They are planning to
capture me. The [government] authorities are building a case on
lies that will steal my freedom..."
This has been brewing for a week or so now, but we have not known
how quickly to move from information gathering to launching an
international urgent action campaign.
We`ll send out a formal denouncement with more information on
Ricardo`s situation, along with a request for URGENT ACTION and a
sample letter tomorrow. I write tonight in hope that you will
pray, and that you can free a moment in tomorrow's busy schedule
to send some faxes to Colombia.
Please alert anyone and everyone who will pray through
intercession and action for the case.
We at JustaPaz and the Mennonite congregation here are
distressed, though not surprised.
If the first 14 days are any indication of the climate for
2004-it`s going to be a very difficult, painful year for this
corner of the earth. Juan`s (the young Mennonite man kidnapped
then released by the guerrilla) is a success story. We learned
that two other young men from a church in the north were
kidnapped by the paramilitary at the same time. But these two
blameless campesinos were killed. Several others have been
kidnapped since then. We just can`t keep up. It hurts.
God, make us instruments of your peace.
Janna"
As you can see, this is a very trying time for the people working
to stop the senseless killing of innocents. Please, if you are
praying individual, pray for JustaPaz, Ricardo, Janna, and the
Columbian churches as they try to find a way through this and
still continue their ministry of peace.
As Janna mentions, there will be a sample letter forthcoming that
can be faxed to the Columbian government. I plan on doing so.
I'm sure my congregation is planning on doing so. I hope that we
can make our voices heard and that we can turn this around in the
interests of human rights and justice.
Tristaan
--
Beware Spam Trap!: "us" is an "ogre"
*******************************************************
Ogre-Monk, ICQ# 14668166, AIM GTSRobMartin
God of Grilled-SPAM™ and Summer, Disciple of Babble
Assistant Librarian/Orangutan, Pedant Target,
Chief Brute, Husband of Amethyst, Father of Charis and Talia
Co-Owner of The Ogre, the Elf, The Imp, and The Urchin
Violinist for the ABML out-of-practice-musicians band
Keyboard Martyr, Keeper of the ABML Cookbook
PGP Public Key available
*******************************************************
Lord, lift me up with tender care.
Will You wash me clean in the palm of Your hands?
Lord, hold me close so I can thrive
When You touch me, that's when I know I'm alive.
--"Thrive" by The Newsboys
*******************************************************
"What is a Mennonite?"
Answers at
http://www.thirdway.com/
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