April 2007
Dear Friends:
I was excited and anxious as I landed in Lima, Peru, on August
26 to teach a two-week course at the Latin American Biblical University’s
center there. In spite of having been at the UBL for over 15 years,
I have only been teaching officially for two years, so I had little
experience traveling to give these intensive courses that are
so much a part of our work.
A student at the two-week course Eli Cook taught last August
in Peru.
How different it is to meet and study with students in their
own context! Until now, my only experience has been with the students
when they come to Costa Rica for their months of study here. Hearing,
seeing, and experiencing the life and struggles of these men and
women in their country made a tremendous impact on me.
I arrived to find a group of students prepared and full of questions
for the two weeks we would spend together. Their diverse backgrounds
and perspectives enriched our dialogues, which took place in a
context of respect and openness. But it was actually during coffee
breaks—really “tea breaks” in Peru—when
I was able to get a glimpse of the lives of these men and women,
and what it means to them to be studying at UBL. Many of them
study against the will of their denomination, others take time
out of their jobs for these intensive courses.
I was particularly struck by Demetria. Her insistance on studying
had led her into years of confrontation with her church—first
in her desire to get a uiniversity degree. She was determined
to acquire skills that would allow her to provide for herself,
and her church was opposed. Today she is studying theology, once
again against the will of her church. But Demetria is accostumed
to fighting. During the violence that shattered so many homes
in Peru in the 80s and 90s, she single-handedly raised 20 children
who had witnissed the murder of their parents. Demetria’s
dream is to come to Costa Rica to finish her studies. And there
are many more stories like hers—many more. These stories
enrich our lives and our understanding of how God is present in
the midst of the violence that is so present in our world today.
Elisabeth translating for UBL professor Silvia de Lima speaking
to Lancaster Seminary Study Group.
More opportunites for exchanging life experiences came from the
travel of others—of many—from the United States to
the UBL in Costa Rica. These past months have been a whirlwind
of activity. Lancaster Seminary in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, brought
30 students for nine days to study with us at UBL, after having
spent another nine days experiencing the life of the people and
the church in Nicaragua.
Then Montclair Presbyterian Church challenged us with a three-way
encounter between the United States, Costa Rica, and Bolivia.
The week was a challenging and enriching learning experience for
all and an opportunity to establish ties of friendship and solidarity
on several different levels.
Montclair Presbyterian Church Study Group listening to Bolivian
ambassador to Costa Rica.
Two more groups have come from universities, bringing students
for a work-study program. Their experiences in marginalized urban
congregations as well as the eye-opening talks on the situation
of Central America, the Free Trade Agreements and how we do theology
in these contexts, were life-changing for many.
As I look back on the last few months I realize how close we
are as neighbors on this planet—on this hemisphere. How
important it is that we become friends and neighbors, that we
look out for each other, that we learn from each other's wisdom
and struggles, and that we celebrate together!
And speaking of celebration, in just two weeks the UBL will be
celebrating 10 years of achieving university status. This Bible
Institute, later Seminary, founded in 1923 by Presbyterians, has
had a long history. As part of the celebration, directors from
the 14 associated centers in Latin America will be with us, as
well as guests and visitors. The agenda: the challenges for theological
education in the changing political, economic, cultural and religious
context of Latin America. It is a time for reflecting, for making
changes and adjustments, for observing what is happening around
us and seeking wisdom for the future.
I look forward to spending several months in the San Francisco
area beginning this September. I’ll be participating in
Mission Challenge ’07 this October and take some time for
research and study.
God bless you!
Elisabeth Cook
The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 56
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