Guess who?

I know this photo is fuzzy, but one of my daughters looks SO much like one of my sisters, I had to show you...

A new year, new job

When we started MCC we were well aware of some of the issues related to placement. People told us stories about mis-understood expectations, about vague job descriptions, and about the need to be flexible and responsive in our work here. We also learned this years ago in our early experiences in International Development classes, and we reminded ourselves of this phenomena as we entered into this work with a genuine commitment to support the work of the church, of MCC, and to let whatever skills we had reinforce and strengthen the programs that had already emerged from the grassroots here in Colombia. And we deeply respect and support MCC, recognizing that the practice of placing people in 56 different countries, and being responsive to local needs and desires is much more of an art than a science.

When I came, I thought I was going to be spending most of my time with the School for Peace program, which is an inter-organizational effort to provide a mid-level educational peace program for people in regions of Colombia where they may not otherwise have similar opportunities. I thought that my experience in Interpersonal mediation and conflict transformation might be able to contribute to this program in meaningful ways. As it turns out, the School for Peace is in more of an evaluating and re-visioning stage, and Aaron’s knowledge of Organizational Development and program evaluation were more needed at the time.

So, there was another program running at Justapaz that needed some assistance. This program was the Research and Political Advocacy Program that documented human rights abuses in Protestant and Evangelical Churches here in Colombia. This is a facinating and innovative program, and offers an opportunity for churches to accompany vitcims in ways that go beyond the spiritual and tangible, and includes a level of political advocacy. Each year they document cases, complete a recent theological and political analysis, and make recommendations in the document The Prophetic Call. It was an honor to work with my teammates on this project, looking into programs offered by Colombian churches for peacebuilding, learning more about the levels of victim accompaniment, and how to best do this, working on editing and translating the document, and visiting with regional church leaders who risk their lives to tell these stories and offer them in prayer to churches and advocates everywhere.

As the year drew to a close, another MCC Colombia position opened up. Our friend Shalom has decided to leave MCC and return to Canada to pursue her studies. Our country director thought I would be a good candidate for this position, and we started to converse about the details of another transition. Indeed, I thought it was a good fit too, and so I agreed to make the change.

While I am still working in the “Izquina Mennonita,” my new position is with the Teusaquillo Mennonite Church as a support worker for people living under threat. This church has a long history and reputation for their work on issues of social justice and peace. The congregants are very involved in a variety of outreach programs in this and area communities. One of these programs, sponsored by the Justice and Peace Committee of this church is a weekly gathering space called “Moment for Peace.” It is a time for anyone in the community to gather over the lunch hour for a short biblical reflection, prayers, and some kind of information and discussion about local and international social-political issues. After this, there is a food shared, informal sharing of stories and accompaniment, and groups related to living in difficult times. I have participated in this space many times as a community member, and I am happy to formalize my involvement and get to know some of the participants much better.

In addition to this space, I will be helping to interview and gather stories of participant experiences, most of whom have been displaced due to political violence and are possibly still in hiding or under threat. This community works in a variety of ways to help these families and individuals rebuild their life and find support within a church community.

So, onward I go in this new direction, with an open heart, a willingness to learn, and the hope that in some way my contributions will be welcomed in the lives of this church community.

For a Child

Your friends shall be the tall wind,the river and the tree
The sun that laughs and marches, the swallow and the sea
Your prayers shall be the murmur of grasses in the rain
The song of wildwood thrushes that make God glad again

And you shall run and wonder, and you shall dream and sing
Of brave things and bright things, beyond the swallow's wing
And you shall envy no one, nor hurt your heart with sighs,
For I will keep you simple, that God may make you wise.

Elizabeth Heiks (Grossmama)

Here, there, and back again

With great anticipation we took off to reconnect with the sweet spirits and spaces which we left 18 months ago.






There was so much joy. And so much affirmation.

And at times there was very hard work, both physically and emotionally. It felt so satisfying to see work completed, to be held in safe spaces.







We experienced the reverse cultural adaptations that we have read about...shocking cold weather and beverages, changes in mannerisms, houses full of stuff, open and quiet spaces, crazy busy socializing. At times we felt like we were floating on the very top of a space of water, and we just could not quite let ourselves sink in.

There was so much kindness, so much generosity. People fed us, physically and emotionally. We were held in love.




Some of the things we anticipated would be so good were not. Some of the things we thought would be hard were not.




And when the time came we were all five ready to return to the home we have created here. A simple life that has been thoroughly examined, and now will take a fresh start with new routines, new work, new love for our home and for this beautiful country.






While there is lingering sense of uncertainty and a bit of anxiety at times, we feel deeply and snuggly connected to one another.

Josie-love

Two peas in a pod

While she still struggles with some of the painful realities of middle school socialization, Lydia is thriving on her relationships with MCC mentors. These relationships will feed her and inspire her for the rest of her life. We have had fun trying to document all the ways that she and our dear Elizabeth have found similar interests/behaviors. What a gift.




Lydia and Beth...
both play violin
both love reading, especially Narnia
both are messy cooks
both are the fastest at Dutch Blitz
both like being crafty/like having projects
both able to amuse themselves without too much effort
both have American Girl dolls
both believe in fairies
both trip and fall a lot
both have problems listening sometimes
both like to spin
both chew gum loudly
both have highly expressive faces
both like Irish step-dancing

Noche de las Velitas

Some say this is a form of lighting candles to honor each member of your family; some say it simply celebrates the beginning of the Christmas season; theologians say it marks the immaculate conception; and others say it provides light for Mary, marking her way to Bethlehem.






We had an intimate time with our friends, praying to God and the Virgin Mary for

health
good friends at home, in Colombia, in Canada
strangers becoming friends
peace for Colombia
peace of mind
strength and hope for our children
safe travels to come





Then we went to a party where we enjoyed buñuelos and Christmas tamales with pork and chicken, more candles, and Christmas carols. We ended the evening in our conjunto, lighting candles with our sweet vecinos, enjoying the magical light, playing with wax, and then falling into our beds to sleep. I have not doubt that this will be a Holiday tradition in our household form now on.