CPTnet
22 September 2012
COLOMBIA REFLECTION: Abundance
by Charletta Erb
In search of sweet cacao fruit, we stopped short at a
large hole dug out of the ground. We were visiting DJ who told us about a
recent “visit” from the military. The hole remained from a stove used
by forty soldiers who spent several days camped at his farm. Over several days,
soldiers took fruit without payment, while DJ pumped three full tanks of water
per day.
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Walking to DJ’s house with fruit in hand, we were
surrounded by hens and piglets. Nibbling cacao, DJ continued the story while
his granddaughter smiled and played with his hat, a weave of blond and brown
fibers.
The lieutenant claimed DJ had hidden weapons and
accused him of being a guerrilla. DJ told the lieutenant to inspect his home
for weapons at any time, but he should not accuse him of being a guerrilla
without cause.
Gazing at bougainvillea, croton, squash, and hot
peppers, the farm girl in me tried to imagine asserting my international human
rights to forty armed soldiers. It would be terrifying.
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I asked DJ what it meant to be a peacemaker, and he
said to be in communion with each other. The campesinos are that communion to
each other, a source of community, fellowship, protection, and solidarity. CPTers
have the privilege of being invited into that communion. DJ spoke to us as
accompaniers so that we might call armed groups to accountability, drawing each
of us into that communion.
The next day, DJ came to us with an abundant gift:
fruit and clippings of plants for my new house. I asked him for his favorite
scripture and song. He told me he loved “How Great Thou Art” a hymn
that speaks of the wonder of God’s creation. His choice scripture echoed his
sense of God’s call to be a voice in face of danger…
“…You shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am
with you to deliver you, says the LORD. Then the LORD put out his hand and
touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, “Now I have put my words in
your mouth.” Jeremiah
1:7-9 (NRSV)
