Late yesterday afternoon, Mennonite Church Canada released the following call to prayer, written by Jeanette Hanson, director of international witness:
This week our siblings in faith in Colombia are asking us for prayers regarding the wave of protests and violence that has broken out across the country. Protesters took to the streets and called for a national strike today (Wednesday, May 5), in protest of a new tax law that is being proposed that will further repress small business and those living in economic insecurity who are already the hardest hit due to the pandemic. There are also new healthcare and pension reforms that also affect low-income families.
Yalile Caballero, president of the Colombian Mennonite Church (IMCOL), writes of the violence: “There have been young people killed, policemen injured, places burned, military patrols and house searches in the poorest places, raided on the grounds that there are explosives or weapons. It is a time of chaos, uncertainty and much pain. Please keep us in your prayers.”
Justapaz—IMCOL’s peace, justice and nonviolent action arm—has been active in documenting abuses and violence during this time of protest. They write about the situation on the Pacific coast where their work has been centred recently.
“With regard to the churches on the Pacific coast of Nariño, massive displacements continue. To date we have more than 50 families (180 people) that were affected by the fighting between FARC dissidents and paramilitaries in the municipalities of La Tola and El Charco. Two church sisters died in those battles. These are very painful cases. We work in humanitarian aid, documentation, legal advice, psychosocial care and advocacy. In this region, in this year alone, there are more than 5,000 displaced people. We ask for prayers for the healing of the wounds of these families who had to leave their homes and property.”
There are many members of the churches in Colombia today marching with the protesters to help ensure a peaceful demand for justice.
Please pray for:
- God’s love to comfort and give strength to all who are suffering because of disease, loss of loved ones and injustice.
- God’s justice to roll down as a mighty stream.
- Iglesia Cristiana Menonita de Colombia (IMCOL) as they seek ways to express their call for nonviolent action and support people who are suffering.
Related stories:
Canada-Colombia relations revived
Colombian Mennonites report violence, call for solidarity
‘For God all things are possible’
(Photo supplied by Iglesia Cristiana Menonita de Colombia [IMCOL])
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