"But in keeping with [God's] promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." -2 Peter 3:13

The conflict in Colombia may not seem very hopeful for those of us who are watching from outside the crossfire. But in the midst of turmoil and pain, the Colombian churches hold on to their faith and their hope that peace will one day prevail in their land.

Earlier this year Alvaro Uribe was reelected as president. He has taken a tough military stance, which he sees as a way to end the conflict. The Uribe administration has also overseen the paramilitary demobilization process, which on the outset appears hopeful, but has so far yielded little sign of progress. Many demobilized units are causing violence in the communities where they settle, and much of the land that was taken during the fighting is not being returned to the people who remain internally displaced.

Many communities currently live under the threat of violence or displacement. Intimidation tactics such as assassination of community and church leaders, death threats and bombings overshadow the daily lives of Colombians.

Justapaz, a peace and justice organization of the Colombian Mennonite Church and an MCC partner, has undertaken documenting the human rights violations of the d ifferent armed factions by paying special attention to the abuses against the Protestant evangelical community. In 47 documented cases in 2006, Justapaz found that the guerrillas were responsible for 22 percent of the abuses, the paramilitaries 35 percent, and the Colombian military 14 percent (with 29 percent unidentified). All of the armed groups, including the Colombian government (largely funded by the U.S. government), commit violence against innocent civilians.

Justapaz reports that, even in the midst of this pain, the churches of Colombia see hope for a peaceful solution and they are taking an active role in ushering peace into their communities. A representative of the New Life church reported: "At the beginning of this year we began to awaken to the commitment that we have towards the society as a church . . . the living conditions and situation with which we are confronted are difficult. But we see how the Bible . . . shows us a social alternative. The training and the tools which we have been given enable us to understand the social function which the church should perform: that of non-violence, of being salt and light on our earth."

Justapaz also reports that the churches are taking an active role in providing food, a peaceful presence in the paramilitary concentration zone, income generation by war victims and protection of conscientious objectors forced into the military.

The churches in Colombia are also depending on their faith family in the United States to stand with them. They are depending on us to call on our government to use its money and influence to end the violence. We must answer this call and speak to our elected representatives to reduce military aid and increase social aid to Colombia. A recent report by the U.S. Institute of Peace states, "Few believe that the armed conflict in Colombia can be won militarily."

If we advocate for peace and justice in Colombia, we will also live with hope.

Resources for this article and further reading include "Longing for Home: Return of Land to Colombia's Internally Displaced Population," by the Latin America Working Group, "Harbingers of Hope: Peace Initiatives in Colombia," by the U.S. Institute of Peace and "A Prophetic Call: Colombian Protestant Churches Document Their Suffering and Their Hope," produced by Justapaz. Justapaz recently received the 2006 Prize for Nonviolence from the Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation.