On Accompaniment

Sometimes it is difficult to be an accompanier. Sure, sometimes we are physically uncomfortable or emotionally uncomfortable with the stories we hear. Sometimes we are uncomfortable because we don't know why we are hear. Sometimes when we are with our hosts, or in the churches chatting, laughing and experiencing the incredibly generous culture of Colombia we forget why this program is important. It has been easy for us to forget the quiet violence that is most prevalent in the areas of Urabá where we have been accompanying churches. We forget the most important part of this experience is simply to be seen.

Most displaced people we have met came from smaller, rural towns. The violence and fear they experienced is different than the type of violence that occurs in more "urban" centers. By urban I do not mean a city. I just mean they have a town center with several stores and a bank or two. In the rural areas guerrillas and paramilitaries will come into a community and tell everyone that their land is worth so much and they will pay them so much. If the people refuse the offer they will be killed. Sometimes families don't even get the option to flee. They are killed as guerrilla sympathizers. In the "urban" areas here the violence is not as large. Every few months the paramilitaries will send out lists informing people they are wanted for questioning. This is a death sentence. The claim the people are involved in the drug cartels, thieves, or guerrilla sympathizers. The majority of people killed are both men and women from the ages of 15 to 26. Once the paramilitaries are done in one city they will move on the another.

Most people are very hesitant to explain to us why they are displaced. We do not spend our days listening to heartbreaking tales of violence. The last few days have been spent in a lot of laughter and love. Mary Kay and I have both questioned our purpose here in Colombia and one point or another in the last two weeks. Then someone will make a small comment or we will have a conversation that reminds us there is still a necessity.

We stayed with one pastor for five days and spent most of our time sitting on the front porch.  From that porch we could see the house of a military informant, a police officer, solider, and paramilitary member. We have also heard about how pastors in all churches are targets and many have been killed. We heard that the paramilitaries went into a church during a service and took the pastor and 8 others and murdered them all. Luckily, the IPC has not experienced violence on that level. Another pastor admitted he does not feel he can preach about certain things, for his safety the safety of this members. The paramilitaries will often question pastors in the street then follow them to the service and follow them back to their house, watching.

Currently, most people we have talked to say that right now there is a calm. This does not mean they are hopeful that the violence is over. They realize that any day, for whatever reason, the violence might start again. When we hear these stories we remember how important it is just to be seen. Our continual presence sends a silent message. We are here. We are watching and we care. The word peace is never used by Colombians to describe any part of their country, but then we can't use the word peace to describe any part of the world. At least not the type of peace Jesus demands.