A letter from César Carhuachín serving in Colombia
November 2014 - Hoping, Praying for Peace
Hello friends and partners of the God's mission in Colombia:
Greetings from Barranquilla!
Life here in Colombia is hopeful. The Peace Conversation between the government and guerrillas (FARC—Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia) is prospering. As of today, there are some agreements that include issues such as: (1) A Comprehensive Rural Reform; (2) Program Development with a Territorial Approach; and (3) A National Plan for Comprehensive Rural Reform. This 20-page document is the first draft of a Peace Document. Our partner, the Presbyterian Church of Colombia (PCC), is praying for these conversations and I invite you to pray together with us for peace in Colombia. We know that peace is much more than a single political agreement, but it is the beginning of a new socio-political context for Colombia and our church partner. And this is hopeful for all, and particularly for those who never have lived a time without guerrilla violence.
-1_medium250.jpeg)
The former Vice-President of Colombia at the press conference about the three agreements (Photo: www.elperiodico.com Article by Abel Gilbert, 09/25/14)
-2_medium250.jpeg)
The Rev. Dr. Valdir Franca, new PC(USA) World Mission Coordinator for the Latin America and Caribbean region, speaking at the Gathering in El Salvador.
-3_medium250.jpeg)
With Revs. Gustavo Torres and Atahualpa Hernández, from the Lutheran Church of Colombia, in the Baptist University of Colombia
During the week of October 18-25 I attended the PC(USA) Mission Co-worker Gathering in El Salvador (Central America). In general this was a wonderful time to refresh and renew my spirit, to be connected with colleagues serving in the same region and to learn about new things in the denomination. Particularly, I had the opportunity to spend time together with other mission co-workers serving as educators in theological institutions. It was a precious time, learning about the growth and challenges we have in our own places of service. I am thankful for churches and individuals—for their partnership in God’s mission in Latin America and the Caribbean region.
From October 14 to 17 our ecumenical partner, the Reformed University of Colombia (CUR), held its annual “Reformed Lectures.” The Rev. Milton Mejía (Presbyterian pastor and professor) is leading these lectures with the primary purpose of engaging students in issues related to Colombian society from a Reformed perspective. He is doing a wonderful job making the students work together in groups and prepare papers about one particular issue they have chosen. In this way the students connect daily church life to the Reformed tradition. I thank God for Milton and his ministry for the Presbyterian Church of Colombia and the CUR. He also works with the Latin American Council of Churches.
Several regional events are being held in Latin America for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, 1517-2017. Many theological institutions and churches rooted in the Reformations of the 16th century are holding regional events. Our ecumenical partner, the CUR, is one of the institutions doing this. On October 30-31 I participated in an ecumenical symposium in the city of Calí (Colombia) with Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists and Pentecostals. I was sent as a representative of the CUR and gave a presentation titled “Reformation, Human Dignity and Human Rights.” These annual gatherings are opportunities to promote dialogue between Catholics and non-Catholics to create and build peaceful and constructive relations in a country where these relations historically have been more confrontational than peaceful. Please pray for these gatherings and opportunities to build peaceful and constructive ecumenical dialogues.
You probably remember a student I talked about in my last letter. She was struggling because her husband and leaders of the church don’t want her to continue taking classes at the school because they don’t agree with Reformed theology. Elina approached me a couple of weeks ago saying: “Professor César. I talked with my husband. But I prayed first. Then I talked to him and explained to him how important his support is to me. And God made a miracle. My husband was different, he was open to hearing my reasons, and he decided to be my main supporter for my studies.” Now Elina is completing all her schoolwork in peace and I am happy for her also. Let’s give thanks to God for all his work among his children around the world.
Following one of my goals for 2014 as a mission co-worker, I will visit the Presbytery of Urabá this month. Attending the Men's Conference in that region will allow me to know better the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, which has three presbyteries (Central, Urabá and Coastal). I will travel with a colleague, German Zaraté, Diakonia National Director of the PCC. Please pray for a safe trip, which will be 20 hours round-trip.
I want to thank you for accompanying me in my adventure as a mission co-worker in Colombia. Reading my letters and responding to me about my learning experiences is important to keep us connected. Personally, I feel I have much more than partners in mission in the U.S. I feel I have brothers and sisters who care about mission around the world. Your prayers are my biggest support.
If you want to know specifically about my work here, please visit my page at the World Mission site: www.pcusa.org/cesar-carhuachin. Also I post weekly updates on my Facebook page: Cesar Carhuachín in Colombia. Feel free to check it anytime.
I thank you for your faithful support during these months. Your partnership is making a difference in my ministry in Colombia. If you want to contact me, feel free to use my email cesar.carhuachin@pcusa.org.
Grace and peace.
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 54
The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 56, 57
Read more about Cesar Carhuachin'sministry
Facebook page Cesar Carhuachín in Colombia
Write to César Carhuachín
Individuals: Give online to E200425 for Cesar Carhuachin'ssending and support
Congregations: Give to D507559 for Cesar Carhuachin'ssending and support
Churches are asked to send donations through your congregation’s normal receiving site (this is usually your presbytery).
Double Your Impact!
A group of committed donors has pledged to match all gifts sent by individuals for mission personnel support now through December 31, 2014, up to $137,480. This means your gift today will be matched by a gift to support mission personnel around the world, wherever the need is greatest. We invite you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to double the impact of your gift. Thank you!
