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Terrorism in Colombia

By Geoff Williams

Monday, December 9th, 2002 began like any other Monday in Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia. My family and I went about our normal tasks. I began to muse over my Hebrews passage for the week. Beth bathed our girls and started their homeschooling lesson. We were still basking in the sweet fellowship of Sunday's church service in Chia, where we had rejoiced in the power of the Word in the lives of our Colombian believers.

However, at midday the complexion of Bogotá changed. A car bomb was detonated near a police command post during the lunch hour. 58 passersby were injured and the glass was blown out of surrounding buildings on both sides of the six lane highway.

The bombing could have shattered our entire sense of security. With the current focus on the "War on Terror" in the Middle East, many people may forget that Colombia is a center of terrorist activity--three of the terrorist groups of the U.S. "black list" currently fight here. The nation's 38-year-old civil war between leftist rebels, the government, and the right-wing militia is increasingly waged in Colombia's cities. In November 2002, rebels lobbed hand grenades in the neighborhood of the U.S. embassy.

However, terrorism is not the milestone of our ministry in Colombia. In fact, it is a minor consideration in our daily routine. Many people might be fearful of visiting Colombia, much less living here as a missionary. Perhaps that is exactly what the enemy of God would prefer. In a field so open to winning souls, fear keeps the gospel at bay. The irony is we live our lives in Bogotá quite normally, and thanks to the abundance of grace and faithful prayers of our partners, we have never been directly touched by the violence that plagues this needy land.

God has richly blessed our Colombian churches and missionary family. In the past decade ten new churches have been planted. The weariness and despair of the Colombian people causes them to hunger for the Word of God, the only real peace.

This year our Theological Education program has grown as many first time students enrolled in classes. Furthermore, one of our churches in the southern region of Bogotá has opened a new satellite school, allowing students who live close by to begin training for ministry as well.

The Bogotá Baptist Camp and Conference Center is well past the 50% construction stage. Over 500 volunteers have come to help build. Already the property is being used beyond capacity. Nearly 800 people attended the Annual Reunion of Churches, and seven camps are held here annually.

Missionaries since the time of the apostolic fathers have had to face challenges and dangers. 9/11 changed the way we see our world. Has it changed the way we see missions? No! The battle for souls always has its risks, the greatest of which is the risk of eternity in hell if the gospel is not preached and received. In Colombia, we are trusting God for great fruit and greater blessings. Christ has purchased true peace for us on the cross.

For more articles on missions and terrorism, read the Spring 2003 issue of the Message, "Missions in an Age of Uncertainty."