These acts were driven by hatred, but also designed to drive us to hate. They will not.

Yesterday I listened to news, to CBC News livestream from Canada. Breaking news all day, told in a calm factual way, an attack in Ottawa, my nation’s capital. Nothing like this has ever happened in my country in my lifetime. It’s tragic, horrifying, and will greatly affect my country. The question that faces us is, how will it affect us?

I went on twitter. I saw the latest information from various news agencies and a myriad of comments from regular people. It saddened me to see many hateful comments against Islam, against Muslims, before the identity of the shooter had even been released. Before any information on motive had been given (still hasn’t) so many people assumed they knew what it was, and used these assumptions as reason to write hateful things.

My heart is sad. I am sorrowful at what has passed. I grieve for the lost, for all the people who were and continue to be affected by this horrific violence, as the effects are ongoing. Yet I hope and pray that these awful events do not lead us to hate.

Three days ago in my Colombian church, the sermon was about reconciliation, reconciliation in Colombia.

In a country that has tried unsuccessfully for over 50 years to end violence with violence there is a lot of pain, a lot of hurt, a lot of wounds. Thinking about reconciliation is clearly a biblical call (we discussed the example found in the book of Philemon), and it’s hard. To work for reconciliation, for right relationships, where there is such hurt and pain is incredibly difficult.

The point from Sunday’s sermon that really stuck with me most, was that if the church in Colombia wants to be able to work for reconciliation, they need to love everyone involved in the conflict. Everyone. Yes, that includes the victims, but it also includes the perpetrators. That includes the army, the guerillas, the para-militaries, all of whom are responsible for countless deaths, destruction and ruining lives. How can you love everyone?

Jesus called his followers to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt. 5:43). He doesn’t say that this will be easy, but this is his command.

And now today, I can’t help but think of the church in Canada. What will our actions be? As many respond in fear, anger and hate, what will we do? Will we go along with whatever is suggested? Or will we love everyone involved? Can we love the victim and the shooter? Can we pray for both families that lost sons yesterday? If our government moves forward with increased violence is other parts of the world, will we support violence to end violence? Or is there another way to confront evil?

Last night I listened to our Prime Minister Harper give a short speech, calling to redouble our efforts, saying that Canada will not be intimidated. And then I heard the leader of the opposition, Thomas Mulcair speak. His speech had a different tone; he has a different role in our country’s government. His speech resonated much more with me. The line that stood out the most was, “These acts were driven by hatred, but also designed to drive us to hate. They will not.”

This is my prayer, that these horrible acts do not drive us to hatred, but that the church can stand up, can stand together, with love for everyone.

How the time flies…

2014 has been a whirlwind. Tomorrow is already June! How is that possible? This year started off with the calm month of January, and my O so valiant goal of one blog per month. Clearly that has not gone well. Perhaps, we’ll change the goal to 12 blogs throughout 2014? We’ll see how that goes. First I want to share some highlights of the whirlwind that has been this year up ‘til now.

Heading out of Bogotá with Ryan and Leandra

January – the only calm month (also a few days of visiting with Valesca Bergen around New Year’s!) - oh yeah, I also got braces, on the top of my mouth

February – super wonderful visit of two amazing friends from Abbotsford, Ryan and Leandra Chapman

March – 3 trips! I basically spent as much time outside of Bogotá as I did in it.

• Helped with an MCC learning tour, including going with them to see partner organizations on the Caribbean Coast.
• Visited the city of Cali for the first time, for a very brief day and a half and then off to an MCC Retreat for another 4 days.
• Went to the Mennonite Church of Colombia’s annual meeting and gave a presentation for MWC (in Spanish!)

Presenting about MWC

So in love! 

April – First visit back to beautiful British Columbia. I went back to Abbotsford for my brother’s wedding (congrats again Adam and Angela!). I also got to spend Easter camping with my family, which was an incredible joy.

May – MWC Executive Committee and YABs Committee meetings in Colombia. Being one of the three people who work in our MWC Bogotá office, there was a tad more work than usual during this time ;) (and got braces on the bottom of my mouth)

Amazing we didn't sink!

Written down like this, it doesn’t even seem like that much. But every event had prep work that took time, and throughout all of this regular life also continues. Communications work for MWC and MCC doesn’t take a break, chores and household cleaning still add up, and of course finding time to spend with friends and my church. It’s been a challenge to find time to rest and renew.

So far 2014 has been incredible, filled with so many blessings and new experiences. Yet this has also come with stress, exhaustion, fried nerves and moments of feeling overwhelmed.

I have so many ideas of what I could write and share here, but first I’m trying to find time to rest. We’ll see how it goes to write at least 10 more blogs this year ;) Thanks again for your prayers and kind words. It was incredibly encouraging to visit with so many people in BC, and to hear many say they’re waiting for another blog.

Looking back...

I haven’t blogged in far too long. If I were a person who made New Year’s resolutions, I would say my resolution is to blog at least once a month in 2014, but as I don’t make resolutions (since they’re never kept) this statement may not come true. None-the-less I will try to make a better start by writing this first blog of 2014!

A lot happened to me in 2013, I mean a lot; a bunch of great things and new experiences, and also some times of tears and loneliness. Such is life, highs and lows are an integral part of the human experience.

To start off 2014, I’d like to share a few of the highs from the past year. This list is not in order of importance, nor is it exhaustive. I find it impossible to rank and summarize a comprehensive list of the ‘best’ experiences, and instead offer these few snapshots of some of the many things I’m thankful for from 2013.

Worship service at Berna Mennonite church

• People. One word with so incredibly much meaning. I really cannot find the right way to describe how thankful I am, how much it means to me, to have relationships with people who share their love and support. My family and friends at home who sent me with their blessing to Colombia. The MCC and MWC community who received me. The new relationships I started in 2013 with so many wonderful people in Colombia. It changes everything to have friends, to have close friendships, people I care about and who care about me.
• Church. Intrinsically tied to people, as the church is people. I want to mention it on its own, because it is such an important part of my life, my faith. God has chosen to work through his people, his church. Being a part of a church community has always been a huge part of my life, and the encouragement and love I get from Eben-Ezer means so much. And finding a church community in Bogotá has been a great change for me. Now I have a church family here, one that I can’t wait to see every week.
• Colombia… the land and its people. I’ve been blessed to have already seen a number of different parts of Colombia. Each region is beautiful in its own way, and has its own cultural differences. Some of my favourite trips have been when people from the area hosted me and showed me around, though being a tourist in other places was fun too!
• MWC and the YABs committee. When I took this position in Colombia, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to go to the YABs committee meeting in May 2013, in Pennsylvania, USA. I knew I would have to leave my position on the YABs committee, and I really loved the work we did, and working with that wonderful group of people. That was actually one of the hardest parts of my decision. I never could have imagined that in my new role with MCC and MWC that I would still be able to go to that meeting, and stay on helping the committee as a consultant. Now I’m far more involved in MWC and I love it!
• Being Creative. My life here in Bogotá has a different rhythm than it did in Abbotsford, and because of that I’ve been able to spend times doing things that I hadn’t done in years. I’ve crocheted more than I ever had in my life (warm crocheted things are great in the Bogotá cold!). I’ve done more creative writing (though more does need to find its way to this blog) and I’ve started painting again. I’m also thankful for new skills and experiences, like learning salsa, merengue, and bachata.
• Feeling at home. It took a while, but after many weeks my apartment has turned into a home. I really do love living here. It feels wonderful to come home after a long day, or to invite people over as we have a great space for hosting. The kitchen is amazing and has lots of room to cook whatever ideas I get. And my roommate is pretty awesome too.

Once I start going I can write a lot, and this post is already longer than I planned. So let me finish by saying thanks be to God for all these blessings. I have much to be grateful for and thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me on this journey. Hoping you all have a blessed 2014!

One of the beautiful views in Boyacá