April 2, 2008
Buenos Aires

Dear Friends,

Argentina appreciates your continued prayers and reflections on the economic questions that have everyone worried.

As I have been watching the progress of the rural strike here in this country, I continue to watch the news about the current economic recession in the States. I am a theologian, and not an economist. I have tendency to meditate on economic ideals rather than give a critical opinion about economic realities. So I will refrain from giving an idealized opinion about world economic issues. I will only pray that God will grant wisdom to those who have the tools to discern economic realities so that they may make decisions that will truly reflect a need for justice for those who have known too much injustice.

Here in Argentina, the four rural groups that have been on strike for the last 21 days have announced that they will lift the strike for 30 days in order to facilitate dialogue with the federal government. Evidently, they have been trying to dialogue with the government for more than four and a half years, but the government has not been willing to listen to them.

Historically, the struggle between rural Argentina and the centralized government in the city of Buenos Aires has been a point of contention since Argentina won its independence from Spain in 1816. In fact, the first constitution wasn’t signed until 1853, 37 years after independence, because the political leaders of the United Provinces of Argentina (as they hoped the country would be called) were in such a bitter power struggle against the political leaders in Buenos Aires, who wanted a more centralized federal government.

As of today, after 21 days of rural shutdown, the nation has lost more than a billion U.S. dollars. A large percent of Argentina’s wealth comes from the export of rural products: grains, meat, soy, and more. Ships have been sitting empty in the port of Buenos Aires with no cargo to take to other parts of Latin America and Europe. Much of the nation’s industries have to do with food processing. Factories have had to close due to a lack of primary materials.

Personally, I have a tendency to support many of the interests defined by the small- and medium-sized farmers. They are asking for lower tax rates so that they can continue to grow, and also so that they can continue to produce a variety of products and depend less on the poisonous agrochemical products that the large farms use, especially the soy plantations.

I will avoid more details, and continue to ask for your prayers for the economic, social, and political stability of Argentina for the next 30 days. Likewise, we can join in prayer for an economic stability in the States that will truly provide opportunities for justice to roll down like waters (Amos 5:24).

May our Lord continue to guide and bless us all!

Yours in Christ’s service,

Katie Griffin

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 280