A year of living life

Our wedding day at my home church,
Eben-Ezer Mennonite in Abbotsford.

It’s been a year, what a year. One year ago today, we got married. It was a less crazy day than I anticipated, planning worked and most things went smoothly. There were of course a few hiccups (broken zippers and a momentarily disappearing Opa) but solutions were found. It was a beautiful day that I will treasure always.

A year later is a good moment for reflections, and our anniversary just happens to coincide with New Year’s, another good moment to reflect!

Getting married is not an accomplishment. I’ve read and agree with this article that’s been around on social media. In this past year of being married, we’ve had some accomplishments, some screw-ups, a lot of learning, and well, a lot of living life.

We’ve learned about seeing your life in a new way, as a couple, about putting the other first. We’ve argued and gotten mad at each other, we’ve laughed until our sides hurt and comforted each other in times of sadness and disappointment. We’ve talked and not listened, and then sat down facing each other to really hear what the other is saying. We found an apartment, big and empty when we moved in, and slowly over the months, we’ve made it into our home.

Our first Christmas tree!

For me the biggest challenge of learning how to be married together is that we had many work trips that took us apart. Every time life felt like we had a new normal, there was another trip and Isaías was gone again for several days (I also had a two week work trip at the beginning of the year). Thankfully for the last few months those trips have stopped and we’ve been able to grow more in regular life together, to just be.

With my friend Tigist at the MWC Executive Committee
meeting in Indonesia in February 2016.

This year I went to my first MWC Executive Committee meeting in my new role as Chief Communications Officer. We started new projects with MWC Communications and I keep growing in this role and trying to give my all. Isaías has spent countless volunteer hours as the treasurer for the Mennonite Church of Colombia, and also busy with work and studying again. Hmm… maybe this is why this past year has felt incredibly busy?

A lot of people and media is saying what a horrible year 2016 was and can’t wait for it to end. Yes, a lot of hard and sad things happened, but it was also a year with joyful moments, with people full of hope who keep striving to make the world a better place.

In the plaza when they signed the first Peace Accord. 

Isaías and I went to the central plaza in Bogota to celebrate and watch the signing of the Peace Accords of the Colombian government with the FARC guerilla group at the end of September. I will never forget the joy that filled the plaza that day! A week later we watched with tears as the no vote just beat out the yes, and weeks of uncertainty began. We gave thanks in November when a revised Peace Accord was signed, and then ratified by congress. Now we continue to pray for peace as we enter the implementation phase of these accords, most likely the most challenging part of the process. We prayer for the Anabaptist churches and all the communities around the country who have been working for peace for decades and will continue to do so, for the human rights workers who lives are still threatened, that Christ’s peace may manifest in Colombia.

On our honeymoon :)

This year had other joyous moments (like our honeymoon and a trip to Canada!) and other challenges, too many to list here. Through it all, something that keeps coming to my mind, in ways that it hasn’t before, is the abundance of God. How Jesus gives to us from his abundance, and cares for us in all situations. It is the grace of God that has carried us through this year, and it in the love of God that we trust and depend for the next.

May God bless you in 2017 and beyond.

Moving Forward, Zigzag style

Preparations and plans can be tough, because you never really know if you’ve done enough. All the planning in the world cannot predict the outcome. There’s always unknown factors you cannot control. There are always things that you have to wait for, that you just won’t know until it’s here. You try to ‘zig’ forward, to find out that you’ve ‘zagged’ in another direction.

This is the place I find myself in; planning and planning, preparations and more preparations. The Mennonite World Conference Assembly, PA 2015, is less than three months away! I travel to Pennsylvania in two months! (Never mind that I’m getting married later this year… I can’t even get into that planning right now.)

Starting the blanket

We’re trying so hard to prepare and plan for everything that we’ll need to do for communications before, during and after the Assembly… and that’s a lot! I feel like my life currently revolves around planning; Skype meetings to review plans, email chains discussing plans, appendixes to plans, budgets, timing, resources, volunteers, and more. I can’t even count how many pages I’ve written, edited and discussed of planning documents.

I know this work is important and will help us all work better during all the activities in July, but sometimes I get home just exhausted from planning. It can be easy to think that I haven’t really done anything. Yes, planning is work, yet at the same time it’s preparing for the work that is yet to come. All these hours of work now, just so that we can work better later. I know I’ve gotten stuff done, but all there is to show for it are at most some documents of plans.

The first row done!

And so I get home, put on an English TV show on my computer, and pick up my crocheting. I’m making a zigzag blanket for a queen sized bed. I started it after I got in engaged and it will probably take me at least two years to finish it (I’m in no rush J). Still, even though the end is far away, it’s something that I can always see a tangible change in after I spend time on it.

I started this blanket in February and now in May it’s easy to seen it’s grown a lot. It’s far from perfect, and there are many imperfections (don’t look too close at the photos!). Still, working on this blanket gives me a contentment that I can’t find in other parts of my life right now. In the midst of planning, preparing, waiting for the unknown, for what I can only imagine, when I crochet my blanket I can see something that does move steadily forward.

First rows of each colour:
purple, white, blue

My zigzag blanket is one small thing that I can control. And the calming act of crocheting continually reminds me that for all these bigger things that are beyond me, the only way I can move forward is to take a deep breath, trusting my God who is always in control.

The blanket as of May 10

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

Pan y Paz, Truth and Reconciliation

Some of the pan at church

Last weekend a lot was going on in my world. Here in Colombia the Mennonite Churches were celebrating Pan y Paz, Bread and Peace. In the MWC world, it was Peace Sunday. And In BC it was the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) event in Vancouver. Three different events, for most people completely separate, but for me they share many links.

Let me start with the TRC. If you haven’t heard about the TRC in Canada, here’s an introduction. I’d heard about this event coming to BC years ago. MCBC, my provincial church, has been preparing for it for quite some time, and I know numerous people who participated. I really wanted to participate, but plans changed and being in Bogotá does not lend itself to participating in Vancouver events.

I found a live stream online, and I thought I could watch some of it while working, but that was not a good plan. The small part I watched was so impactful, hearing people share of such deep and profound pain, I couldn’t listen to it while being in that setting. I’m glad the public record of everything that was shared is available online, so that I and anyone else who wasn’t able to be there can still see it.

Truth and Reconciliation. Hearing the painful truth of what has happened, so that we can work for reconciliation. Building relationships that acknowledge the hurt that has gone before, yet still have hope for the future.

This was going on in BC, and it was heavy on my mind, my heart and in my prayers here in Colombia. I’ve heard several people hear express that perhaps something similar to the TRC could help work for healing in the conflicts that have and continue to go on in Colombia. I still have much to learn about the complex context of Colombia, but it is clear that truth and reconciliation are needed in many ways.

Yet I am continually amazed at the Anabaptist churches, that I have come to know here, and the way they live out their faith in the Lord by sharing a holistic gospel. A gospel, a good news, that has its foundation in Christ alone, but doesn’t stay as only head knowledge, as only something felt personally. No, it is expressed by the hands and feet of the church, the people who are the church.

In the past year the MWC Peace Commission created a poster that says “Peace is gospel.” Peace is good news. I believe that peace is central, foundational, and integral to the gospel message of Jesus Christ, not an added-on theology that you can take or leave, but inseparable from who Jesus is. 

Heading to the concert.

And I’ve seen that lived out here in the Anabaptist churches, and got to experience it again with Pan y Paz. On Saturday, September 21, I spent the morning with two other MCCers in Soacha, the municipality just South of Bogotá. There we joined a Mennonite program called Creciendo Juntos (Growing Together) and their Pan y Paz celebrations. Creciendo Juntos is one of several Anabaptist programs and churches in Soacha. It is in a marginalized neighbourhood, with houses built on unstable hillsides because there is nowhere else to go, and displacement being the main cause most live there.

Creciendo Juntos works with the children of this community, and there are a lot. We saw many smiling faces. To celebrate Pan y Paz there were workshops, games, picking up garbage together, lunch, and a concert of local teens presenting their own rap songs. The reality these kids face every day is unlike any I have ever experienced. The stories and realities the staff of Creciendo Juntos encounter is challenging to say the least. Yet their smiles and joy show the presence of hope.

Group activity in Soacha

Getting ready for the concert.

The paper cranes for each person

Hope was also brought home to me in the worship service on Sunday morning at the Berna Mennonite Church. The sanctuary was filled with paper cranes, symbols of peace. In the middle of the sanctuary stood two tables, one filled with a paper crane for each person, and the other filled with bread we had brought with us.

Pan y Paz. Bread and Peace. Jesus is the source of our peace, and to have peace among each other, everyone needs to have enough to live, everyone needs bread. This is justice; that everyone has enough.

Worship Service at Berna

In the worship service we shared this bread with each other, making sure that everyone received bread. And after the service was done, in small groups people took the rest of bread out to the community around the church, and shared it with whoever they met.

Pan y Paz. Bread and Peace. Truth and Reconciliation. These were very different events, occurring in completely different parts of the world, in different languages. Yet to me the threads that tie them together are strong.

I see people coming together, listening and sharing from the heart, from the core of who they are. I see people living out the call to peace that is the gospel. Not just knowing and believing it, but living and walking with others. Humbling themselves to listen and walk the path of reconciliation and healing. Humbling themselves to share from what they have until we all have enough.

Problems and pain still abound, but there is hope. Our God is a great God. I am continually filled with awe at the ways the Holy Spirit is at work in the church and that gives me hope for pan y paz and truth and reconciliation.

Worshipping with the congregation

Messages and prayers of peace the congregation wrote.

With my paper crane

Worshipping together on the Sunday of Pan y Paz

Just Different

My super great kitchen! 

It’s hard to believe it’s already June. Wow. Almost 6 months since I made the decision to come to Colombia. 4 months and 3 days since I moved to Bogotá. 3 weeks since I moved into my own apartment.

When I think about, well everything, I have no complaints. I lack nothing that is necessary. I am very blessed and thankful for all that has been provided for me.

That said, were I to write a glowing report about my life right now, with a rosy perfect glow on each aspect, it would not be true. This is not to complain, or whine, but just trying to realistically describe how I’m feeling at this moment.

The YABs committee

This past week I returned from a Young Anabaptists’ Committee meeting in Akron, PA. It was an amazing time with my friends on this committee, and wonderful with the other MWC people who were meeting at the same time. I enjoyed being back in North America (went swing dancing!) and connecting with these dear people from all over the world.

Always love my maté

Still there were some things that were a little weird, not bad just different. This was my last meeting as the North American representative on the YABs committee. I knew that was coming, and I feel like this move to South America was the right thing to do. But it was still hard to step back from something that I’ve been so involved in for the past 4 years. And coming home to Bogotá was also, well, different. After every meeting I’ve ever had with MWC I’ve always gone home to BC, to friends and family who were waiting for me, to my church family always excited to hear about my trip and experiences and to my youth group who wanted to know how it was. And this time it was different. I came home to a MCC community who care, and I’m really thankful for, yet still it just felt so different.

My living room, which now has a table and chairs! And the blanket I'm making :)

In my head I know I have so much to be thankful for. Yet this past weekend it was harder to feel that. I just felt sort of down. Thankfully some friends went furniture shopping with me and I finally got a table and chairs (no more awkward meals over a tiny end table)! It helped a lot to go out and do stuff with them. And I did have time to rest this weekend, which was great after not getting too much sleep during our meetings in Akron.

This week has its own busyness to it. The rental agency didn't pay last month’s gas bill so on Saturday I received a message that the bill is overdue and they will shut it off at any moment. This means that I got to get up early (for me) and go wait in line to pay it off as soon as possible (thankfully it all went well this morning). The owners of the apartment also still have to fix stuff in the apartment, so someone’s supposed to come over Thursday morning to do that. And there’s the whole issue of not having internet yet, which I really miss. I don’t like talking in the phone on Spanish, because it’s a lot harder for me to understand. But it’s what needs to be done. Hopefully the calls will have positive results.

That’s an update on how I’ve been. Everything’s ok, I’m just still getting used to many things that are just different.

The first magnet on the fridge, something to keep remembering.