Colombia
I spent the weekend in training for the Colombia Accompaniment Program of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
What is an accompaniment program, you ask? It can mean many things. The basic concept is to walk alongside people and share in their lives. The fact is that it can be a powerful aid to those who are facing violent opposition to their commitment to nonviolent action and peaceful human rights work. The presence of international eyes in unambiguous solidarity with those whose work for peace helps to deny the impunity of those who would use violence to stop them.
I wasn't entirely convinced when I started the training that it was something I actually wanted to do. I wondered whether it was really appropriate for us to send people down there, and whether there was any "point" to it, and whether it was the right thing for me to do at this time in my life. And the answer I came away with was yes to all three questions.
The Presbyterian Church of Colombia has requested our presence. They continue to faithfully document human rights abuses and file all the appropriate claims with the government, even though their leaders are regular recipients of death threats and several of them have been killed for their efforts. They continue to bear witness in a country at war with itself. They are absolutely committed to nonviolence. They have requested our presence in solidarity, and so it is of great importance for us to honor our relationship by sending people to be present with them.
I feel called to be present with them. It hardly seems like much, but it is something that I can do, something that they want us to do. When I go down this summer, I will certainly learn a great deal from them. I am glad to have the opportunity to share whatever I can of myself with them, and to carry their stories back with me to share them here, so that we can speak out against the violence in Colombia.
If you would like to know more about Colombia or the program, you can start at http://www.presbypeacefellowship.org/colombia/
What is an accompaniment program, you ask? It can mean many things. The basic concept is to walk alongside people and share in their lives. The fact is that it can be a powerful aid to those who are facing violent opposition to their commitment to nonviolent action and peaceful human rights work. The presence of international eyes in unambiguous solidarity with those whose work for peace helps to deny the impunity of those who would use violence to stop them.
I wasn't entirely convinced when I started the training that it was something I actually wanted to do. I wondered whether it was really appropriate for us to send people down there, and whether there was any "point" to it, and whether it was the right thing for me to do at this time in my life. And the answer I came away with was yes to all three questions.
The Presbyterian Church of Colombia has requested our presence. They continue to faithfully document human rights abuses and file all the appropriate claims with the government, even though their leaders are regular recipients of death threats and several of them have been killed for their efforts. They continue to bear witness in a country at war with itself. They are absolutely committed to nonviolence. They have requested our presence in solidarity, and so it is of great importance for us to honor our relationship by sending people to be present with them.
I feel called to be present with them. It hardly seems like much, but it is something that I can do, something that they want us to do. When I go down this summer, I will certainly learn a great deal from them. I am glad to have the opportunity to share whatever I can of myself with them, and to carry their stories back with me to share them here, so that we can speak out against the violence in Colombia.
If you would like to know more about Colombia or the program, you can start at http://www.presbypeacefellowship.org/colombia/