“We know that in many places throughout the world there is war, violence and hunger.” With this acknowledgement, Mennonite partners working for peace and justice in Colombia call on Anabaptist-related brothers and sisters around the world to pray for La Esperanza community in Colombia—and “that God’s salvation and peace become a reality throughout the world.”
On April 13, 2015, a FARC guerrilla commando entered the Colombian town of La Esperanza and attacked members of the Colombian army. FARC is the Spanish acronym for Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), a guerrilla movement involved in the continuing Colombian armed conflict since the 1960s.
The incident, in which 11 soldiers were killed and 23 wounded, nearly halted peace negotiations between the government and the FARC. It introduced a new level of uncertainty and stigmatization for the members of the Mennonite Brethren congregation in town, some of whom live next to the site of violence.
The Mennonite Brethren church of the Cauca & Valle region of Colombia and three Anabaptist organizations working for justice, peace and reconciliation in Colombia request Anabaptist congregations circulate this letter and prayer for hope. (“La Esperanza” means “hope” in Spanish).
“We thank you, loving God, because [our Mennonite Brethren brothers and sisters] continue with their social action and uphold the vision of encouraging and collaborating with the wider community in overcoming the problems that affect their lives. At the same time, they emphasize the encouragement they receive from knowing that there are brothers and sisters elsewhere in Colombia and throughout the world who remember them and pray for them.”
Click here to see the complete letter and psalm.
“We think it very important that the larger community of faith in Colombia and throughout the world be informed and surround these sisters and brothers in prayer,” write leaders Francisco Mosquera (Mennonite Brethren Church, Valle and Cauca Region of Colombia), Ricardo Pinzón (Fundación Mencoldes), Jenny Neme (Justapaz), and Pablo Stucky (CEAS). They also invite letters of encouragement and solidarity.
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