JustaPaz, the Mennonite Church's 10-year-old justice and peace organization works in a variety of activities related to peace. The organization runs the first conflict mediation center to be recognized by the Colombian government as an alternative to the court system for resolving conflicts. One of its latest projects is to invite churches to declare themselves as peace sanctuaries, a place where no side in the war is favored, where all can safely seek refuge. Taking this kind of position can be risky for any church. JustaPaz has asked churches outside Columbia to declare themselves sanctuaries in solidarity with the Colombian churches. Several years ago JustaPaz began promoting human rights and peace work within a coalition of protestant churches called CEDECOL. As a result, CEDECOL, which claims 70% of all Colombian protestant churches as its members, is now an active part of the peace process in Colombia. JustaPaz personnel promote peace nationally by being part of the government mandated National Peace Council.
Ricardo Esquivia, Director of Justapaz, says:
"We believe that human rights are more than an academic concern and go beyond the declarations of international organizations. Their fundamental basis is that they are the essential condition for life and the guarantor for the coexistence of human beings on earth. Independent of the ideological, philosophical, or academic conceptualizations about their origin, we see them as a road to life."
The delegates will spend time with Justapaz and learn more about their work with displaced Afro-Colombians and non-violent solutions and reactions. Please keep the delegates, the people of Colombia and our leaders in your prayers as they search for answers.
The following are the members of the CT. Conference delegation:
God of life, we confess that sometimes we despair when things look bleak around us. We ask you to work miracles (seen or unseen by us!) that will bring peace to Colombia. Amen.
