Colombia Travel Study Seminar
October 26-November 6, 2015
Being Church and Building Peace: POST-Conflict reconciliation in colombia
north coast, central and urabá presbyteries
Natural and cultural wealth abounds in Colombia, home of Gabriel García Márquez and Shakira, emeralds, coffee, and myriad species of birds and animals. Colombia has also been plagued by conflict for generations, leaving 10% of the population internally displaced, turned into refugees in their own country. Peace talks are underway between the government and the FARC guerrilla group, and implementation of controversial free trade agreements is under way.
Join us as we explore with members of the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia what it means to be faithful followers of the Prince of Peace in such a compelling and challenging context. Hear testimony of displaced Presbyterians. Share in conversation and daily life with farmers who have returned to their land. Ponder the meaning of the Reformed Tradition with theology students. Worship and pray. Discern how the Holy Spirit is leading you to be an agent of God’s transformative, reconciling love in the midst of your community.
This 12-day trip (one Sunday away) will tour the three presbyteries of the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia, granting participants a broad picture of the complex realities and beautiful landscapes of Colombia. We will begin in the up-and-coming urban haven of Medellín, descend into the banana-growing Urabá valley, travel northeast to vibrant Barranquilla, and conclude in the Andean metropolis of Bogotá.
The trip will be bilingual; most formal presentations will be in Spanish with interpretation provided into English (and vice versa as needed). Spanish ability is not required, although brushing up on even some basic phrases before arriving will enrich your experience!
Possible Additional Time in Colombia: For those interested in adding a weekend, Medellín and Bogotá both have excellent museums and restaurants, and you would be welcome to worship with (or even preach at) one of the local Presbyterian churches on Sunday morning.
PROVISIONAL ITINERARY
The following itinerary is tentative and intended to help prospective participants better understand the experiences and opportunities that are being planned for this seminar. All details are subject to change.
DAY 1, Monday, October 26 – Travel Day, Depart U.S. and Arrive in Medellín, Colombia
Participants will depart from U.S. locations to arrive to Medellín by 5:30 pm. Shuttles will be provided to the hotel to settle in and rest. We’ll meet together in the evening for dinner and devotions.
DAY 2, Tuesday, October 27 – Medellín and Dabeiba
We’ll spend the morning in Medellín. We’ll ride on the rapid transit gondola cars up to the Santo Domingo neighborhood, to view the city and visit the Biblioteca España public library and learn some of the story of transformation the neighborhood has experienced. Following lunch at El Redentor Presbyterian Church, we’ll head north to the mountain town of Dabeiba. After checking in to the hotel, we’ll tour the town and converse with members of the historic Dabeiba Presbyterian church which was bombed in the La Violencia period of partisan violence.
DAY 3, Wednesday, October 28 – Dabeiba and Apartadó
We’ll visit local coffee growers in Dabeiba and hear personal testimonies. Then we’ll have lunch on route to Apartadó, where we’ll check in to the hotel and visit the local office of MAPP-OEA, an organization that does monitoring and evaluation of the peace process in Colombia. In the evening we’ll take a walking tour of Apartadó and taste a refreshing mazamorra.
DAY 4, Thursday, October 29 - Blanquicet
We’ll take a day trip to Blanquicet, a hamlet near where the Pan-American Highway fades into swampland. We’ll learn about the local Presbyterian church’s role in defending the community from land grabbing and discuss what it means to be the church in service to the broader community. We’ll sample the goods of the church’s bakery operation, visit the homes of local church members, and enjoy coconut water fresh from the tree. We will return in the late afternoon to Apartadó for a little rest before dinner and devotions.
DAY 5, Friday, October 30 – Travel to Barranquilla through Totumo, Arboletes and Montería
We will travel by land to Barranquilla, taking in views of the coast and tranquil countryside along the way. We will make an early departure from Apartadó and drive an hour north for breakfast with church members in the village of Totumo on the Gulf of Urabá. There we will share a devotional focusing on one of the key challenges in reconciliation: forgiving those who have hurt us. Then we’ll drive a couple more hours and stop for a dip in the volcanic mud baths in Arboletes before continuing on to a late lunch in Montería. We will switch to a comfortable commercial bus for the final 6-hour leg of the journey, to Barranquilla. Upon arrival we will have dinner at the hotel, followed by the option of going out for a short walk for a little exercise after a long time seated.
DAY 6, Saturday, October 31 – El Tamarindo
In the morning we’ll drive just outside of town to the community of El Tamarindo to meet with displaced farmers who are petitioning the government for their right to assistance in relocation. We’ll have a traditional lunch of sancocho stew with the community leaders. We’ll have the opportunity to observe the new dry dock built to support the increased commerce brought in with the Free Trade Agreement. In the early afternoon we’ll return to Barranquilla to rest before Reformation Day celebrations at the Reformed University.
DAY 7, Sunday, November 1 – Reformation Day in Barranquilla
In the morning we’ll worship in small groups at Barranquilla area churches. Then we will meet up for lunch on the riverfront, followed by some sightseeing on the Caribbean coast. We’ll return to the hotel for time to freshen up before an integración dinner celebration at the home of two local pastors.
DAY 8, Monday, November 2 - Barranquilla
We’ll engage in conversation in the morning with members of the Iglesia Presbiteriana de Colombia (IPC) diaconal service team about the challenges and opportunities for the church in a season of reconciliation after decades of civil war. In the afternoon we’ll meet with theology students and faculty at the Reformed University to discuss the applications of Reformed thought for peacemaking and reconciliation.
DAY 9, Tuesday, November 3 – Bogotá
Well take a morning flight to Bogotá where we’ll visit Betania Presbyterian Church in the Bosa district. We’ll meet youth who benefit from the programs of the New Life Holistic Development Center sponsored by the presbytery. We’ll have lunch at the Betania Church and visit the homes of one or two church families and pray together before heading to the hotel. After time to rest, we’ll visit the Museo Nacional and end the day with dinner with presbytery leadership.
DAY 10, Wednesday, November 4 – Bogotá
We will focus on advocacy, starting the day with a visit to the U.S. Embassy and possibly Colombia’s Ministry of the Interior to hear about their efforts to promote peace with justice and also share our concerns about situations we have witnessed. Lunch will be in Bogotá’s historic La Candelaria neighborhood with some time for souvenir shopping. In the afternoon we’ll meet with leaders of Clamor Social por la Paz to learn about the popular movement of support for the negotiations between the Colombian government and guerrilla groups. We’ll have an evening devotional with members of “Teusaquillo Territorio de Paz,” a local interfaith group that promotes a culture of peace in Bogotá.
DAY 11, Thursday, November 5 – Bogotá
Our final day together will include debriefing and evaluation of the travel study seminar. We’ll share plans of action to carry the experience home and have a time of closing worship. If weather permits, we’ll head up the mountain to Monserrate for some fresh air and a breathtaking view of the city. The evening will conclude with a celebratory farewell dinner.
DAY 12 – Friday, Nov 6
We’ll provide shuttle transportation to the airport for departures.
Cost
The seminar cost is $1,650 (per person, double occupancy). This includes all seminar expenses (including all meals, accommodations, programs, tips, tours, and in-country transportation). International airline travel from the U.S. is not included.
Application PROCESS
Applications are now available and may be submitted for this Travel Study Seminar through July 15. After July 15 applications will be accepted as space is available. A deposit of $500 is required by July 31 to reserve your spot in the seminar.
