seed group went on a cpt (christian peacemakers team) delegation in the magdalena medio region of colombia. visited a community who is being affected by the planting of african palm. it was very interesting to learn more about african palm, and a beautiful experience to live with a community for a few days, hear their stories, visit the farming land they are at the moment kicked off of, and make connections as to how this culture of violence relates to my life at home. the more i learn about the reality here in colombia, the more convinced i am that my life often unintentionally supports this culture of violence. my naivete, or laziness in some cases, is easily connected with what i consider to be very problematic situations here - my white, north american power and wealth affect far more than what i see and think about on an every day basis. it becomes overwhelming to think about. my homework this week is to write an article for cpt aboout our experience, so i'll post that when i'm done, and you can dig deeper into my thoughts...
following this week, we headed to bogota for an mcc retreat. these 4 days, 3 times a year, are always beautiful. first off, it was the first time i had returned to bogota in 6 months, and i enjoyed walking the streets and playing in the parks that i called home for my first 3 months in this country. also, i lived in the luxurious 60's the whole week, which was a MARVELOUS descanso from the average 90's i live in up here on the coast. and as always, spending time with co-workers - many becoming close friends - was fabulous. we sat around tables and ate together (never happens in zambrano), and we STAYED at the table talking for hours after. :) we played sports, sang songs, argued too long over minute details like any good mennonite group, shared stories and experiences, and had a large and lovely thanksgiving/christmas potluck-style dinner.
i find that the more time i spend here, the more i value certain pieces from my culture and the more i criticize other pieces. lately i've spent a lot of time thinking about how one lets themselves be transformed by a culture/place/people. what are the parts of my being that i am ready/willing/want to be changed by this place? what are the parts that i hold on to? and the fear that follows - the changing and transformation takes place far away from those i know and love most dearly. how to make that transformation understood and welcomed, not only by me, but by all you who are near and dear to my heart. i have no answers, only thoughts...
i returned to zambrano to find swealtering heat and a busy church. this weekend the church had their second "encuentro" of the year. this is a 3 day retreatish sort of thing, where people from the church and community sign up and pay to participate in a 3-day intensive "meeting with Jesus". it is extremely pentecostal - the prayer of faith, accepting Jesus in to your heart, let going of the worldly distractions that pull you away from Jesus, "liberation" from the demons living in you (lots of spiritual warfare going on), etc. i have a hard time with a theology that focuses so much on blood and a degrading of humanity. i understand Godde as love, as present here walking and working with us. i find Jesus' life, teachings, and resurrection salvific - one piece (death) cannot be taken away from the rest. i believe "accepting Jesus" is a daily, constant decision - and i don't understand spiritual warfare. i cannot deny, however, that albeit my difficulties with this theology, the church here does improve life for its members, as the large majority of them are "converted" from families of abuse, drug addiction, alcoholism and much more. its a different world, and i'm still trying to figure out how my understandings fit in it, and how it fits into my understandings...
lastly, i will mention that at this very moment, my entire extended family minus myself and two cousins, is gathered, singing, praying, remembering the life of my grandmother - my mom's mom. after a long battle with alzheimer's, gma died on friday. it feels very distant and surreal, yet not being with my mother has been difficult and very real. i covet your thoughts and prayers, for all my family, as we finish a long journey with a woman who, although i don't "know" well, has influenced and created and changed my life - one of many - in ways i may not be fully aware of, yet am grateful for.
i have two full weeks from yesterday to be engaged here in zambrano, working on end of the year events with the community before i head down to belize to spend time with family and christmas (yes, i plan to spend time with christmas, because we don't seem to be doing it here). i love you all, miss you dearly, and hope this advent season is filling you with hope and change. much love...
and pictures...
church sunday night after the encuentro
me and cielo...relaxing a bit
the "old man" they burn, representing the death of their old self
games...who can bite the oiled apple first, without hands?
preparations for the fiesta...piñata made by yours truly in the background
baptism a few weeks ago
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