Saturday, January 27, 2007

Life is beautiful

Here are some excerpts from the second accompanier report that Jake and I submitted, which is framed around this passage:

Though the fig tree does not blossom,
and no fruit is on the vines;
though the produce of the olive fails,
and the fields yield no food;
though the flock is cut off from the fold,
and there is no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will exult in the God of my salvation.
(Habakkuk 3:17-18)

In the midst of the tragedy of internal displacement, living with the scars of physical, psychological, and economic violence, or simply with the endemic problem of poverty, faith in God’s greatness and presence continues to flow through the veins of most of the Colombian people we have met. Here in this place where violence and death are close at hand, life itself is seen as a gift in a way that is difficult for many of us in the U.S. to comprehend.

Last Saturday night we went with several of the young adults to watch the Garabato del Norte parade, one of the pre-carnaval events. The garabato is one of the traditional carnaval elements, a man and his female companion in brightly colored costumes who fight against death, symbolized by someone dressed up as a skeleton. The man has a wooden stick to use as a weapon in that fight, but the real weapon is the fiesta, the dancing and happiness that the couple represents. This is one of the lessons we have to learn here, that life goes on as long as you can live it joyfully, no matter how difficult the situation may be.

In that spirit, I'd like to share the lyrics of a song that's getting a lot of radio play these days. It talks about all of the simple beauties and pleasures of life that we can enjoy, even though life is often so painful.
I've included my English translation after the original.

Esta Vida

Me gusta el olor que tiene la mañana
Me gusta el primer traguito de café
Sentir cuando el sol se asoma en mi ventana
y me llena la mirada de un hermoso amanecer

Me gusta escuchar la paz de las montañas
Mirar los colores del atardecer
Sentir en mis pies la arena de la playa
y lo dulce de la caña cuando beso a mi mujer

Sé, sé que el tiempo lleva prisa
pa' borrarme de la lista
pero yo le digo que...

Aay... ¡qué bonita es esta vida!
aunque a veces duela tanto
y a pesar de los pesares
siempre hay alguien que nos quiere
siempre hay alguien que nos cuida

Aay... ¡qué bonita es esta vida!
y aunque no sea para siempre
si la vivo con mi gente
es bonita hasta la muerte
con aguardiente y tequila.

Me gusta escuchar la voz de una guitarra
Brindar por aquel amigo que se fue
Sentir el abrazo de la madrugada
y llenarme la mirada de otro hermoso amanecer.

Sé, sé que el tiempo lleva prisa
pa' borrarme de la lista
pero yo le digo que...

Aay... ¡qué bonita es esta vida!


This Life

I like the smell of the morning
I like the first sip of coffee
To feel when the sun rises in my window
and fills my gaze with a beautiful sunrise

I like to hear the peace of the mountains
to see the colors of sunset
to feel the sand of the beach on my feet
and the sweetness of sugar when I kiss my wife

I know that time is in a hurry
to wipe me off the list
but I say...

Ay! life is so beautiful
even though somtimes it hurts so much
And, in spite of our burdens,
there’s always someone who loves us
there’s always someone who cares for us

Ay! life is so beautiful
and even though it doesn’t last forever
if I live it with my people
it’s beautiful unto death,
with aguardiente and tequila.

I like to hear the voice of a guitar
to toast to a friend who has gone
to feel dawn’s embrace
and fill my gaze with another beautiful sunrise

I know that time is in a hurry
to wipe me off the list
but I say...

Ay! life is so beautiful!

Monday, January 22, 2007

Walking Together

On somewhat short notice, I was asked to preach at Comunidad del Camino Presbyterian Church yesterday. I accepted the invitation, with some hesitation because of the limited time I would have to prepare, but I am so glad that I did. It was wonderful to be with Comunidad del Camino again--they are the first church I visited here in Colombia. And the lectionary texts for the day were so beautiful, the sermon came together easily.

I spoke about community, using the passages for the day from Nehemiah and 1 Corinthians. I continue to be amazed by the nature of the preaching event, how the Word is illuminated and transmitted in a special way through prayerfully guided speech. I am still very new to preaching--I believe yesterday was my ninth sermon, including the two I prepared for preaching class last spring. I find it intimidating to a certain degree, but I love it.

I spoke about the importance of really living and being in community, not just individuals but an interdependent whole. I was nervous at first, but once I got going I felt much more at ease. It was a very moving experience for me, and it seemed appropriate to speak about community here where I have learned so much about what that word truly means.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Papaya & Trust


Here in Colombia, "dar papaya" (to give papaya) is a way of saying "to trust" someone. I was reminded of this expression during a meeting we had on Tuesday afternoon with a man who has just discovered that his name is on a hit list from Jorge 40's computer. ("Jorge 40" is the alias of a major paramilitary leader whose laptop and other documents were confiscated several months ago. The list in question is 32 pages long and includes names of some who have already been killed and others whose lives may be in danger.) While talking about the possibilities for the presbytery to resume work with his community, he said that he thinks it might turn out well if we go about it carefully, making sure to cooperate with the Catholic priest who has been working there. He said that the people are careful about who they trust, and he likes it that way, no quiere que den mucha papaya. This is an important means of self preservation for the community, which has a troubling history of police and military manipulation and, because of its poverty, is easy prey for false promises.


That was the first time I've actually heard anyone use the expression "dar papaya" in conversation--I had learned it years ago from a friend who was married to a Colombian. What struck me about it particularly was an interesting coincidence: just that morning, when we were visiting the farm of the displaced persons' cooperative in Galapa, we were literally given a papaya (which you can see on the post in the upper left corner of this picture of me talking with one of the members of the cooperative, my thanks to Jake for the pictures in this post). It was one of those gestures of respect, gratitude, and hospitality that I always find deeply moving and humbling, when those who have so little still have the dignity and desire to give out of their need. I was even more touched by the gift of that papaya when I was reminded to think of it in the context of a culture that uses "giving papaya" as a metaphor for trust.

We received that gift from humble folk whose lives have been upset by the violence and greed of others. They have joined together in an effort to start a new life, working hard with what they have been able to acquire and dealing with all the red tape and hypocrisy of the government agency that is supposedly in place to help them gain title to new land of their own. They welcomed us into their home and told us of their struggles. We were strangers, and they gave us the gift of trust, confident that we might prove to be true friends who will accompany them in this process, even though they have received countless empty promises from their own people and from the U.S. government (for example, Plan Colombia funds available to help single mothers with school-age children are corruptly administered). I hope that God will give us the energy, intelligence, imagination, and love to help us be faithful to that trust.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Sightseeing


Last Tuesday, since things were still quiet around the office, we were able to go to one of the more "touristy" parts of town with several of my friends. We started out with lunch at a seafood restaurant on the Río Magdalena, and then went out to Bocas de Ceniza, to the end of the narrow breaker that juts out into the water separating the mouth of the river from the Caribbean. It was incredibly windy, but beautiful, and we had a lovely time (although getting back was a bit rough, since there was a sort of traffic jam with the little train cars that carry you out there). Here's a glimpse of what it was like, you can see more of my pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/pastor_sarah/

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Catching Up

Well, I haven't been writing much recently, since we haven't actually had internet access for most of the past week.

Last Sunday we went to church at Fifth Presbyterian, just a short walk from the presbytery/university campus. It was nice for me to be there again. The last time I was there was on election day at the end of May. I had been asked to preach, but didn't get the message until the day before! It was good to be there simply as a part of the congregation this time. One of the things that stood out to me from pastor Milciades' message was the proverb, "No wind is favorable if you don't know where you're going." He was talking about the need to trust in God's promise to be present with us as we walk along the roads that are laid before us. After lunch, we went for lunch at a friend's house with some of the young adults, which ended in some living room dancing (and lessons for Jake).

On Thursday we had two long meetings, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, talking about ideas and situations impacting the church and the accompaniment program these days. We got to see the new work scheme of the Presbytery of the North Coast with its three programatic areas: education, evangelization, and diaconia (service). We also arranged some meetings with leaders from the local organization of displaced persons, starting with a visit Friday to a cooperative farm project undertaken by seven families.

I was really grateful for the opportunity to visit the farm. It represents an important step along the road to self-sufficiency for one small group among the many who have been displaced by the violence in Colombia. They are still struggling to make it a profitable enterprise--a late planting and poor rainfall made for a meager harvest this year. The men are eager to work, but they are struggling to get by and provide for their families while they are working the fields. Yesterday they were clearing brush from some land they want to begin to cultivate. I hope the next harvest will be better.

Saturday, January 6, 2007

Welcoming

Things have been pretty quiet around here, and our trusty coordinator isn't back from vacation with his family yet.

On Friday evening we went to the executive presbyter's house for dinner. It was a celebration of welcome and friendship, not only for us but for several others who were visiting or returned from their travels. We had a wonderful time, with so much life experience gathered in one room. One of the many who were being welcomed was the new pastor of the Valledupar church, who was there with his wife. He is a beloved friend of the presbytery, a Mennonite pastor who served at Fourth Presbyterian here in Barranquilla for a number of years. Now he has returned from Chocó to work in Valledupar.

All around, I had a wonderful time basking in the conversation, which alternated between the serious and the ridiculous in different streams swirling around us.

Thursday, January 4, 2007

Getting settled


Jake (my fellow accompanier) and I arrived safely in Barranquilla on Wednesday, and we have been warmly welcomed. There is an ever-present breeze in the air at this time of year, easing the heat that can be stifling at other times.

The pace has been slow and gentle so far--about what I expected given that many people and places are still on vacation through Epiphany (which will get a Monday holiday since it falls on a Saturday this year) or even later into January. There is sporadic activity at the Presbytery office. Back to school items are lined up at the entrance of the SAO mega store down the street.

It is good to be here again, on my third visit to Barranquilla. I am getting back into the gentle rhythm of life here, grateful this time to see that so many people are enjoying a much-needed respite, with family-focused efforts taking the place of their usual labors. The ever-present miracle of life goes on. Alleluia!

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

A new step

Early tomorrow I will take a new step along the path before me, setting off again for Colombia. I pray that this journey will be a fruitful one, that God will grant me the wisdom and the fortitude to be a loving and supportive presence in solidarity with the people I go to meet. This is intended as a space for reflection on the people, places, and situations of Colombia, and for reflection on my personal experiences there.