CPTnet
May 29, 2001
CHICAGO: CPT urgently seeking Spanish-speaking workers for Colombia and
Chiapas

On May 15, CPT sent four people to set up a project in the Colombian city
of Barrancabermeja, north of Bogotá, at the invitation of the Magdalena
Medio Development and Peace Program. With ongoing work in Chiapas, Mexico,
CPT is in great need of Spanish speakers to go through Christian Peacemaker
Corps training in January.

Formerly under the influence of left-wing guerrilla groups in the last few
years, the rural region arround Barrancabermeja has come under control of
paramilitaries from the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC.) A major
paramilitary incursion into the city of Barrancabermeja began in the last
days of 2000.

Duane Ediger, who recently participated in a CPT exploratory project in
Colombia reports, "Working in a rural zone in Colombia is important because
abuses are carried out there with greater impunity." Ediger also reports
that the polarization between left-wing and right-wing groups in the region
is intense.

Conversational Spanish speakers interested in the Colombian project should
also be mature, good listeners, grounded in Christian faith, in good
general health and willing to endure the rigors of rural life.
Additionally, it would be helpful for volunteers to have an appreciation of
evangelical and charismatic styles of worship, since part of the team's work
will be carried out in coordination with Evangelical pastors and church
congregations.

CPT's annual training in Chicago will begin on December 27, 2001 and
continue through January 23, 2002. Participants must first participate in a
CPT delegation to Chiapas, the Middle East or Vieques, Puerto Rico.

Interested people should contact CPT's Christian Peacemaker Corps
Coordinator, Jan Kulp Long at 540-642-3920 or guest.62645 [at] MennoLink [dot] org.