August 25, 2004
Dear Friends,
I have just returned from a joint worship service celebrating
148 years of Presbyterian presence in Colombia. I am so proud
to be a Presbyterian! Many things in recent months have given
me the same feeling. I’m sorry that problems with my computer
and the telephone service here made it impossible for me to share
then with you as they happened.
January
Susan Andrews, then moderator of the PC(USA), visited the Presbyterian
Church of Colombia. Her words and her presence were a real encouragement
to church leaders here. We were also visited by journalist Alexa
Smith of the Presbyterian News Service, doing research on the
effects of the violence in Colombia. Her news stories are still
coming out, and past stories are available on the PC(USA) Web
site. Her story on children and violence, featured in the May
issue of Presbyterians Today, was about students and faculty of
the Colegio Americano in Apartadó, which many of you support
as an Extra Commitment Opportunity.
February
The School of Theology of the Colombia Reformed University began
the school year with a record crop of new and returning students
in day and evening programs. Since introduction to the Old and
New Testaments are required first-year courses, and Greek is a
required second-year course (and we have no new Bible professors)
I ended up teaching a double load this term, full-time in both
programs.
March
I was in the States briefly to speak at a mission conference
and stayed on to participate, with Colombian colleague Milton
Mejía, in the organization of a network of PC(USA) individuals
and congregations concerned about Colombia. This lively group
now shares plans and information by email. (If interested, contact
Parrish Jones (parrish.jones@starpower.net.)
Later in March, I participated in a national meeting of the Ecumenical
Network of Churches and Religious Organizations for Human Rights,
focusing on pastoral ministry to victims of human rights violations.
April
The presbytery, which has its offices on our campus, noted that
unknown persons were watching its offices. Shortly afterward,
leaders of different groups of displaced persons were arrested
and, during interrogation, shown photos or videos of the presbytery
office and asked to identify those who entered. The church asked
friends in the United States to write to the Colombian government
requesting protection as it carries out its ministry in defense
of human rights and in defense of life itself. Once again, Presbyterians
responded with enthusiasm. Also in April the university began
receiving mailbags full of books for the library, sent by churches
and individuals across the United States. What a wonderful way
to support our work!
May
Another delegation of Presbyterian pastors and laypersons visited
Colombia through the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Last year
the delegation visited Barranquilla, but this year’s group
went instead to Apartadó, where I worked in the past and
where Alexa Smith’s article on children and violence was
written.
June
As soon as the first semester ended I headed for Richmond, Virginia,
for the 216th General Assembly of the PC(USA). What a privilege
to serve as a Mission Advisory Delegate! There were close votes
on many issues that divide the church, but I sensed an attitude
of compassion and comprehension rather than gloating or bitterness.
This spirit left me encouraged about the future of our beloved
church. Representatives of the Colombian church were also present
at GA, and a highlight of the assembly for us was the approval
of a resolution expressing concern over the situation in Colombia
and urging accompaniment and action on the part of U.S. Presbyterians.
Richmond, of course, is close to Williamsburg, where my mother
lives, so I also enjoyed some personal vacation time on this trip.
July
When I returned to Colombia I discovered that Mauricio Avilez,
director of the human rights office on our campus, had been arrested
on charges of “rebellion and terrorism” and accused
of planting the bomb that destroyed a major department store near
the university last December. There is no doubt that Mauricio
is innocent—he was on campus leading a human rights workshop
when the bomb went off. But as I write he has been in jail for
over two months on the testimony of one individual who belongs
to the president of Colombia’s “network of informers,”
a program that pays for information leading to arrests. Alexa
Smith has published a moving interview with Mauricio’s mother
for the PC(USA) News Service.
August
Second semester began with yet another group of new students,
but a new professor has taken language classes off my hands, so
I have no heavier a load than last semester. My computer had virtually
every part replaced during the last eight months, and the telephone
service seems to be operating smoothly, so I have every hope that
you will be receiving these newsletters more frequently from now
on. Please pray for Mauricio, for the problems of violence and
human rights in Colombia, and for our university. Blessings on
you!
There has been a change in the address to which contributions
from individuals should be sent. From now on, send checks to Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) Individual Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643700,
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700. Write the title and the ECO number
on the subject line of the check (862521—Colombia Reformed
University School of Theology) and put it on your cover letter,
too. Churches should use their normal receiving sites. Whether
church or individual, send a copy of the cover letter to the Office
of Global Education and International Leadership Development at
100 Witherspoon St. Louisville, KY 40202-1396. Or click on the
"give" button below to donate online. Thanks.
Alice
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page
149
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