We have arrived!

Hello friends and family!

CPT Colombia Delegation Fall 2007 has arrived safely in Bogota. We will try to update this blog as often as possible but we don't know what sort of access we will have. So far, we have been learning about the history of Colombia and meeting with local peace and justice organizations including:

Justapaz - An organization of the Colombian Mennonite Church, currently working in 4 areas:
1. Conscientous objection and lives of nonviolence among youth
2. Documentation of human rights abuses against the church and others for advocacy purposes
3. Peace Sanctuary Church Program to enable churches to be salt and light in the midst of conflict. Includes a Sister Church program to set up relationships between Colombian churches and churches in other countries.
4. Analysis and conflict transformation to train mediators, arrange conciliation sessions, and provide psychological attention.

Mesa Agraria - An organization that seeks to link Colombia's political history with an economic view to show how the campesinos (rural farmers) have been affected. They are the ones who have been especially disadvantaged during Colombia's conflict, representing the second largest internal refugee population in the world. But other actors are responsible for their struggles, particularly the United States and transnational corporations. But there is hope. Colombia has a rich history of social mobilization despite repression.

Colombian Conscientious Objectors Collective - A collective dedicated to assisting youth who desire to be conscientious objectors in a country where military service is mandatory. Previously, the group attempted the legal path but this, unfortunately, did not result in a change of law. The current strategy is to popularize c.o. through grassroots movements and publicity campaigns, including an international support net that will bring this collective to Europe and the United States in early 2008.

Comedor Pan y Paz - A soup kitchen and children's center set up in one of the poverty bets surrounding Bogota. This community is home to many single parent families who are unable to stay at home with their chidren during the day. Supported by World Food Program and the Mennonite Church of Canada, this soup kitchen provides the children with a place to go during the day, a nourishing meal, and a chance to hear the gospel. The comedor currently serves 48 children up to age 15 and they hope to expand the building to accomodate the ever-increasing requests of working families to allow their chidren to be taken care of here.

We have been amazed so far by the amount of hope and courage we have seen in the workers of these organizations. We are so appreciative of everyone who has volunteered their time to teach us and share their stories.