The Power of Being Present

by Alexandra Buck, NNPCW member-at-large

I was in Colombia for 2 weeks in August on a delegation and had an amazing experience.

The way the people serving the Presbyterian Church of Colombia are standing as Christians against injustice, violence, and for peace, non-violence, justice, and reconciliation is absolutely the most incredibly faithful testimony I've ever seen. I am so impressed by the courage, stamina, and joy of this community, and I think it only appropriate that we, especially those of us who are US Christians, recognize their struggle, our complicity in the US policy which affects the country so gravely, and do the little we can to be in support.

A few years back, the Presbyterian Church of Colombia requested that the Presbyterian Church (USA) send 2 people down each month to "accompany" them. Due to threats, many people in the church who were working for human rights, victims of the violence, and displaced people feared for their lives. US citizens from the North American church being present with the Colombian church community protects them from harm to an extent because of the incredibly close relationship of the Colombian and US governments. It also is an act of solidarity with our sisters and brothers who are literally risking their lives to stand as witness against the human rights violations in their country.

In the past 2 years, the Peace Fellowship has been able to fulfill this commitment nearly without a break by sending trained accompaniers to "be present" with the Presbyterian Church of Colombia. Now, recruit levels are low and we are unsure how we will fill every month.  I will jump at the chance to serve as an accompanier if I find I have the time to give starting in January.

Colombia stole my heart with the beauty of the country, culture, and people. I can talk to you forever about my experience in Colombia, so would be happy to answer any questions you have about this program. Please, please consider making the commitment to spend a month in Colombia. Your life will never be the same -- I guarantee you will be energized in your activism, spirit, and faith. People of all ages and backgrounds have taken part in this, and whatever your concerns, please leave a comment and I will reply.

Alexandra is a recent graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul, MN.  She served as the Young Adult Intern with the Presbyterian UN Office from 2007-2008. 

To learn more, visit the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship website.

Photo by Alexandra Buck.  (Traditional Colombian dancers at a talent show held at the Colegio Americano en Barranquilla, where the accompaniment program is based.) 

Comments

[Gary Green]

Since you were in Colombia a few weeks after the rescue of 15 hostages that had been held by the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), in July, 2008, I was wondering if any of the Presbyterians you were in contact with had any opinions about that daring rescue. As you probably know, among those rescued (without a single shot being fired or injury), were a former Colombian presidential candidate, Ingrid Betancourt, who was held hostage for about 6 years by the FARC; and three Americans who had been held for over 5 years.

Were there any Colombian Presbyterians who were among those rescued?
Did the Colombia Presbyterians make any comments to you as to whether they supported that rescue effort?
If not, would any of them have been placed at risk from retaliation from the FARC if they had voiced support of the rescue?
After spending a couple of months in Colombia, did you get the impression from the people you were associating with thought that the FARC group is a terrorist group? (see YouTube video news conference of Marc Gonsalves, one of the three Americans rescued.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0bl3eCZnGA

[Alexandra]

Gary,
Thanks for your comment.

To start, I did not hear any official statement from the Presbyterian Church on Colombia about the rescue and no Presbyterians were involved as far as I know. To be clear, each and every person is glad for the freedom of these hostages. In one church we visited in Cartegena, two hand-painted banners adorned the walls of the small sanctuary: one said, "Presbyterian Church of Cartegena in solidarity for freedom of all of the kidnapped people" and the other said, "If God gives us liberty, no one can take it away".

The Presbyterian Church of Colombia always has to be careful in voicing support for any efforts involving the FARC or the government. Most important for them is to be clear that they are a non-partisan force for peace. That means they do not support violence from either the FARC or the government or paramilitaries.

The people with whom I met were under no illusions that the FARC still had any integrity as an ideological movement. Rather, their violent strategies delegitimize them (though the term "terrorist" was not used). In the same way, the government is employing violent strategies which the church also opposes. The brutal tactics of the paramilitaries and the impunity of the Colombian military and officials make them unworthy partners in the peace movement, as well. This is what I mean by the church being non-partisan in its position for peace.

In my own opinion as educated by my time in Colombia, I would say the release of these hostages is an excellent development, of course. But one must be cautious before praising the Colombian government and military because they are also culpable in exacerbating the violence in the country.

[Byron]

Alexandra - great post about Colombia! I am scheduled for a visit there and Venezuela as a part of my Vice-Moderator itineration. Definitely looking forward to it!