Challenges in the City - Violence

In former days when missionaries went to foreign countries, their fears centered on illness: raging fevers and tropical diseases threatened their lives and service. Thankfully, many killer diseases have been brought under control. Today's fears center around lawlessness: military coups, political upheaval, TERRORISM in all its forms. Missionaries are now required to sign a Release which includes an assertion that, should they be kidnapped, ransom money will not be paid. Many ABWE missionaries live in areas of the world where violence is the norm.

COLOMBIA is such a country. Quoting from Operation World, "Polarization between Conservatives and Liberals has given rise to 150 years of partisan politics, dictatorships and civil war. Those unrepresented by the two contending parties support a variety of Marxist guerrilla groups. Some of the latter have aligned themselves with drug cartels who have their own terrorist groups. (Colombia produces 80% of the world's cocaine supply.) The constitution of 1991 and the elections of 1992 were aimed at bringing the cycle of violence to an end, but the level of violence continued to increase."

ABWE personnel entered Colombia in the late 1930's eventually expanding the outreach to a 300-mile radius north of Leticia. In 1977 the Colombian government closed the jungle mission stations to expatriate missionaries. Violence in the country has greatly limited foreign missionary presence outside Bogotá. Within this city of eight million, life is a daily challenge. ABWE personnel strive to be wise and prudent, but the nature of terrorism is that no one can predict when and where it will strike.

Bogotá missionary, Geoff Williams, puts it this way, "We live in a country that endures great violence, yet we celebrate the continued margin of safety in the city. We have seen churches established and watched them grow; national leadership has emerged, and a camp ministry thrives. We are overwhelmed by what God is doing."

Geoff Williams would be happy to talk with anyone interested in considering Bogotá as a place of service. To contact him, phone: (818) 363-5321 or E-mail: 74152.1277@compuserve.com

The Great Commission does not say, "Go to the easy places in the world." We are called to work in dangerous places, preserved by God's protection.