Tour Participants To Columbia, Venezuela Saw Vibrant Church In Action

Mennonite Central Committee
Wednesday, 11 April 2001

CALGARY, Alta. -- A tour through Colombia and Venezuela, organized by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), has helped connect Mennonites in Alberta with their counterparts in Latin America.

A group of 10 Albertans--all connected with MCC or other Mennonite church groups in Alberta--visited Colombia and Venezuela from February 28-March 11, 2001.

Abe Janzen, MCC Alberta executive director, said participants got to see vibrant churches in action.

"They're really living out their faith in active ways. It's really exciting to see," said Catherine Bargen.

"I heard some great theology and great messages that I need to hear too," said Kathy Ramer, a member of the Community Justice Ministries board, which operates under MCC Alberta.

Since MCC Alberta is heavily involved in justice ministries, economic development and newcomers work, participants visited similar programs, such as Mencoldes, the relief and development agency of the Colombian Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren churches, and JustaPaz, the justice and peace arm of the Colombian Mennonite Church.

As well, participants saw post-disaster work in both countries. Janzen said Anabaptist churches in Venezuela have really pulled together in response to the mudslides in December, 1999. "With very few members they're doing amazing work," he said. For example, in one community they have established a day care for children of families displaced by the disaster. In another community they have established micro economic development projects for the displaced.

Ramer said the highlight for her in Colombia, where most of the group's time was spent, was meeting local people. "They're just a very embracing people," said Ramer, who attends Duchess Mennonite Church.

She said she wasn't sure at first what she would learn from her visit. "The thought of Colombia teaching us something about justice was a wild idea for me," she said.

But Ramer said throughout the visit she was continuously struck by how well Colombians know themselves and how best to help themselves. She came away convinced that North Americans must not impose their own solutions to Colombia's problems.

A highlight for Bargen, who works for MCC Alberta in Edmonton in the area of restorative justice, was linking up with JustaPaz and learning about its work with conflict mediation and justice issues. "I'm hoping it will turn into a valuable connection. It already is a valuable connection and that can be built on," she said.

Another highlight was visiting a housing development in Armenia, Colombia, where an earthquake hit in January, 1999. Mencoldes is overseeing the development and has set up a conflict resolution program involving three elders. "Everyone knew those were the people to talk to immediately and I just found that fascinating," said Bargen. She said the concept of mediation teams could be used in the Canadian context too, such as in church or Bible school settings.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org