The Lutheran congregation in the city of
Bucaramanga, The Divine Redeemer, has been working on strengthening its
relationship with the Sustainable Farm of Rehabilitation of Antipersonnel Land Mine
Victims. They invited the Justice and Life project of IELCO to accompany them
in this process. So far this year we have completed two workshops. The first one
at the church building with members of the farm invited to participate, and the second
workshop was done July 15th at the farm.
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| On the left is Pastor Sergio, beginning the day with a devotional about the churches 'ministry of reconciliation' with church members and members of the farm. Photo by Curtis Kline. |
At the farm we talked about reconciliation and the protection of life and the work for peace. At the request of the farm, we
then planted 30 trees. The trees were chosen by the members of the farm to help
block out the sound and smell of a nearby sugar factory. The Justice and Life
project has accompanied the church and the members of the farm in conversations
about conflict resolution and peace-building in the day-to-day, as well as how
the church can better accompany the farm.
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| Planting trees at the farm. Photo by Curtis Kline. |
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| Apolinar Ramirez Ayala, member of the farm of rehabilitation. With the support of the farm he has graduated from high school and is studying diesel motor maintenance. Photo by Alexis Aubin (communications director for the campaign Colombia Contra Minas - Colombia Against Mines) |
In September at the third workshop, also
to be held at the farm, where we will monitor the growth of the trees, and plan
the continuation of the accompaniment between the church and the farm.
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Planting more trees. Photo by Curtis Kline.
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