Christian Peacemaking

[en Espanol]

Hello, I am Jim Fitz. I sensed a call to do full time peacemaking in the Fall of 2002, at which time I left my work managing Plow Creek Fellowship's produce farm.

As a part of that peacemaking, I volunteer three months a year with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Colombia. The presence of CPT gives protection from the threats of the paramilitaries and guerrillas to some eighty families.

Since many of the problems in Colombia originate here with our government policy, I spend the rest of the year working to make people aware of how our 1.6 million dollars a day in US Colombian military aid is making the situation worse.

I promote peace and justice in the following ways:    I give slide presentations, talk to people personally, participate in a weekly vigil, have booths at fairs, line up others to speak, write emails to supporters, and pray regularly. I depend on donations and your prayers to support this peace work.

I am available to give talks and slide presentations about my time in Colombia. Contact me at: jimfitz2(at)gmail.com or 773-856-3351.
Introduction to Peacemaking in Colombia   [en Espanol]
Current Year's letters
Jim's 2007 Peace Plans and 2006 Report         2007 Budget

Jim's 2008 Letters

Peace building at Plow Creek   11/1/08
Free Trade: Friend or Foe to Farmers?
Zechariah and Building Peace  10/4/08
What kind of peace for Colombia? 9/30/08
The vet and the Buddhists at the 2008 County Fair 9/3/08
Our big move and Cornerstone Peace building8/15/08
Quiet Time August 10, 2008
Just for kids    May 5, 2008
Farmers of Garzal and feeding the hungry    April, 2008
An Army Visit   3-28-08
Land Mines, Cocaine, and the Army    3-24-08
Spreading Peace in Taxis    3/19/08
Unexpected Answers to Prayer   3-4-08
The Repairman's Mother In-law    2-28-08
Good Friends   Feb 22
Back in Colombia   Feb 14
Peace Farmer LaSalle NewsTribune article
Ex-Farmer Planting Seeds of Peace Peoria Journal Star Article, January 20
Off to Colombia  January 8
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Jim's 2007 Letters
Jim's 2006 Peace Plans
Jim's 2006 Letters
Jim's 2005 Peace Plans
Jim's 2005 Letters
2004 Letters
Jim's 2004 Peace Plan
2003 Letters
Jim's Letters from CPT team in Colombia 2003

Peace building at Plow Creek 11/1/08

Dear Friend,

"I am a PeaceBuilder. I Pledge…to praise people, to give up put-downs, to seek wise people as advisors and friends, to notice the hurts I have caused and make amends, to right wrongs, to help others. I will build peace at home, at school, and in my community each day."

This is the pledge the local grade schoolers do each day after the normal pledge to the flag. Each class has even created its own PeaceBuilder’s flag.

Some of the result are we see more people listening, smiles, hugs, people helping one another, and bullying is decreased. We hear laughter, positive stories in staff meetings, “good job”, apologizing, cheers, encouragement, and students chanting "talk it out” to stop fights. We feel safe, happy, appreciated, hopeful, and close to others. These results come from students, administrators, teachers, bus drivers, and aids who are all trained in this school program.

To be a Peacebuilder is a personal decision only you can make. Ask yourself often is what I just did or about to do building peace?”

This is some of what Judd Lusher and Lynne Weber enthusiastically shared with our Plow Creek church community at my invitation. Judd brought the PeaceBuilders program to our area in 1995 (the first east of the Mississippi). Lynne taught under it since 1996. It was developed as an effective way to reduce violence in schools. It was a good challenge to us to be PeaceBuilder as we relate with others too.

Consider bringing it to your schools.

Contact: www.peacebuilders.com or 1-877-4-Peace-now

Say a prayer for a fruitful PeaceBulding program.

May we all be peacebuilders,

Jim

Here is our family in Chicago at the youngest one Karin's birthday party. They are a lot of the reason we are moving to Chicago.

Hello Friend, Zechariah and Building Peace 10/4/08

"What was that scripture you opened with?" asked an attentive student at Webster U in St Louis. I replied, "It was Eugene Peterson's The Message, Zech. 9: 9-13, here notice what God is doing and how humans are to be part of it, then Mat. 28: 16-20 here notice Jesus' charge to the disciples even though they are not sure about their commitment, I find myself in the disciple shoes often times feeling a bit lukewarm about committing myself totally to God. Then Eph. 3:20. a reminder that God can do anything you know, then Zech. 8:13 this says what I sense is my purpose in this presentation, a glimpse into what God is doing through CPT. If we keep our focus on what the media tells us is happening we become afraid and wonder when will be the collapse of the world and it paralysis us. But if we keep our attention on what God is doing, we can live with hope and be energized to be a part of constructing peace and justice a new world here and now!"

Other glimpses into what God is doing is in The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist. Hard to read this book and not have hope for the future

"One of students told me she wasn't going to come to class today from being upset because her housemate told her she didn't want to live with her anymore. But she was so glad she came because she was very encouraged by your challenge that working out conflicts with those you rub shoulder with is an important part of peacemaking, you are a real inspiration to me too." Shared Mark Chmiel a professor at St Louis U after I gave 3 presentations in his classes.

I was very inspired by the deep seeking spirit I sensed amongst a group of college students in Peoria, IL, in which they ask me to pray for them after they prayed for me.

"That was one of the most hopeful talks I have ever heard", shared one of the elderly nuns at the Nazareth Living Center in St Louis.

"That quote from the Message bible "Jesus is the descent of God into our lives, just as they are, not the ascent of our lives to God hoping he might approve when he sees how hard we try.", says it well." ,Remarked Ray Redlick after our TV interviewed to be broadcast on several station in the St Louis area.

Those are a few of the many positive responses in the 13 days of 26 talks in Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois I recently gave.

Say a Prayer for:

that God's concerns would be our concerns as we vote.

Andrew and others in St Louis who are planning a Iranian trip to work on reconciliation between our countries.

For Lyn and I in the coming stress of the move and transition to Chicago. Pray with me that a Pratt apt. open as it would suit us the best in the following ways, in a secure place to park, financially. and being close to the church.

That the seeds that were planted in my trip would sprout and flourish.

Peace to you,
Jim
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Hello friend, Sept. 30, 2008

Here is good article from the September 1 issue of the Mennonite Weekly Review on the overall Colombian situation, I think you would find of interest. Say a prayer for the Colombian church to do what Jesus would do.

What kind of peace for Colombia?
By Rebecca Bartel and Bonnie Klassen
Mennonite Central Committee

Jim
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The vet and the Buddhists at the 2008 County Fair 9/3/08 letter# 11

Dear friends

"Would you like to hear how we are reducing violence in the war zones of the world?" I asked Justin as he walked by my booth, and we started what turned out to be a very warm conversation. "No, I have been in the military for 15 years; I have seen too much of that already," Justin responded.

"WOW, you have been through a lot. Part of my calling is to pray for people; I will put you on my prayer list," I answered. Justin responded, "Well, that is awful nice of you, thank you very much."

"What do you do any way?" I asked. He answered, "I take care of my grandmother. Being in the military all those years, I saved my money. I live real simply, don't spend very much; her and I are the only ones left in our family, so we just have each other. . . Sorry I don't want to sign up for your letters, I just have seen too much already. I am sorry I gave all those years to military service, I am just trying to heal."

As part of several other conversations about prayer and meditation with Alisa, a Buddhist, I read from the Message Bible to illustrate a point. She responded, "I sent my children to church and my husband is in AA. I have been looking for a good modern translation to share with them; that one sounds good." I added, "This is what I feel is a spirit-led paraphrase; I have found the Lord really speaks to me through it. Also the Remix version, where it is divided into verses, I have found easier to use, and if you go to Biblio.com you can buy it used and quite a bit cheaper." Alisa replied, "I always like recycling, let me write it all down. Thank you very much!"

I gave to Alisa, as I did to many people those five days, a reminder that I would be giving slide programs at two local libraries. She promised to come and invite her other Buddhist friends. She also bought a book from me, Bo Lozoff's It's a Meaningful Life on prayer and meditation.

Pray for the Lord to speak to us in all my upcoming slide presentations. And that the seeds that are planted sprout, grow and flourish and that the God's will be done in this election and for peace.

Thanks so much for your prayer support,

Jim

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Our big move and Cornerstone Peace building 8/15/08 letter #10

The big move is Lyn and I are planning a move to Chicago by November, to be closer to our three children and four grandchildren, and so Lyn does not have a two hour drive to and from work and can more easily commute to Minneapolis to support her mother 95 and aunt 89. We will be part of Living Water Mennonite Church, where the Lord has given us many friends recent years. I have never lived in the city. In my head this seems clearly the right thing to do, though I find it emotionally challenging when I think about leaving Plow Creek community and rural life and moving to the all the noise, cement, and people of the city. We will be in Rogers Park, six blocks from Lake Michigan, which is consoling. I will continue my peace work with the support of the church there. I welcome your prayers for this transition.The unity between Lyn and I on this has been a bonus gift.

"David, how is it going in the Fellowship of Reconciliation booth?" He responded, "I am finding it a real challenge to respond in a peaceful way to these 'Old Testamenters' who keep reminding me about how wrathful God is, and should be!" David calls himself a "neo-theist," meaning he used to be an atheist, but he isn't anymore. We have become very good friends over the many years we visit at Cornerstone. I have tried to encourage them in their work, and he often reminds me, "You saved us from getting thrown out of the fest one time."

A few days later, I said to David, "I would like to share with you something we have been using in our devotions that has been helpful to us in our CPT booth work. I think it might speak to your struggle with people that disagree with you. It is from Romans 14:1: 'Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.'"

David responded, "Wow, where did that come from." I answered, "The Message Bible, by Eugene Peterson." He said, "I will have to get one of those; let me write down the name of the book."

One of the many people who mentioned how they have appreciated being on my mailing list said to me, "I work for Starbucks and I have been giving staff and the mangers little lectures about what is going on in Colombia, things I learn from your letters. It seems appropriate since our coffee comes from Colombia. Thanks so much for your letters; I thought you would appreciate knowing this." I responded, "Thanks very much, that is very encouraging to hear."

I gave a slide presentation in Sterling recently to a peace coalition that went very well. Had a lot of good questions about what sustains my hope and prayer. They bought eight books.

Below at our Cornerstone booth, left to right is Tim Nafziger, Charletta Erb, Rod Orr, and myself. Two hundred sixty-eight people signed up for to receive our letters this year. We sold about twenty books, and normally we sell one or two. Rod said, "If they read a book it will have much more impact than if they just read one of our pamphlets, so that is very good."

Pray for:

Because of the economic situation, giving to support my peace work has gone down. Pray it will keep up to my needs and the need for peace in the world.

Places to share my slide presentations close by here before we move to Chicago. Pray they open up.

-So far local venues are a nursing home, a Nazarene Church, 2 libraries, and 4 days at the county fair.
-In Minneapolis: 4 times at Bethel college 9/8--9/4,
-In Iowa, 9/13- 9/17 7 times at Iowa Mennonite School. , 2 peace groups & English River church of the Brethren.

Shalom,
Jim

Bits from my 35 year journey to a disciplined quiet time. 8/10/08

Dear Friend,

“Lord help me do this breathing exercise, meditation exercise, work this reading into my thinking and living, and intercede for these my brothers and sisters.” That is how I begin my quiet time each day. Following are more of my prayers and thoughts.

“Give the persons I pray for the books, ideas and people to bring wholeness, healing, and health into their body minds, soul and society.”

“God, help me realize I am your servant and not You.”

Prayer is the language of people who are in trouble and know it, and who believe God can get them out.

I have found it helpful to write down prayers, concerns, and people's names to help me remember to pray for them. You are on the list. Often I just read the list, but I sense God still uses it, the effectiveness depends not on me but on God. Other times I sense I touch the people as I pray for them. Another help has been a picture of Jesus to remind me that God is present.

Sometimes I have carried worries for years until one day I realized I should be praying about it. I have struggled with depression for many years, and it was not on my prayer list, till it dawned on me one day. Having the list is a help in keeping my mind from wandering.

My wandering mind is one of my greatest challenges during my quiet time. These distracting thoughts are like seeing boats on a river and the challenge is to just let them go by and not follow them. Because that is what my mind is so use to doing, it takes lots of practice to retrain it. It is like learning to play basketball, practice, practice, practice… and I am still in the 1st grade practicing stage. But it has been worth the effort for sure as my quiet time has been an instrument of transforming me. At times helpful insights or good things to do come during my quiet time.

I have had relapses for even two months one time and many shorter ones when I forgot to take time to pray. How much time I take is often determined by how distracted I am that day. Often my distraction is some problem relationship or concern in which I have a lot of emotional baggage. Some common distracting thoughts are “This is a waste of time”; “nobody is listening”; “Am I crazy?” But praying and meditating is as important as any work.

The principal effects of meditation are experienced in daily life, not in the periods of meditation itself. My wife can tell when I miss my quiet time.

Being a peacemaker I pray for my enemies, so I have put some politicians I did not like on my prayer list. I noticed once I did that it helped me view them more as people and less as evil beings. Prayer can change US. Try it.

One of the most practical helpful books to me on quiet time has been It's a Meaningful Life, it just takes practice, by Bo Lozoff (from the humankindness.org foundation). One of his missions is to teach prayer and meditation in prisons as a way of reducing violence. One of Bo’s suggestions for getting started is to commit yourself to 10 to 30 minutes a day for a month or two. Set your time commitment to be something you can be sure to do. Choose to do something that is meaningful to you. Then do it. And don’t evaluate or change it until your month or two is ended. One of Bo’s quotes is “the Old Testament itself does not say… 'Be obedient and know that I am God' but, 'Be still and know that I am God.'”

The Message Bible by Eugene Peterson really speaks to me, such that I really look forward to getting up in the morning to hear what the Lord has to say to me through it and other books I am reading. The new remix version has the verses designated. His introductions help me understand more clearly the overall purpose of the Bible and each of its books. I find his insights very healthy and understandable. Some examples:

From the introduction: “Jesus is the descent of God into our lives, just as they are, not the ascent of our lives to God, hoping he might approve when he sees how hard we try.”

Eph 3:20: “God can do anything, you know-- far more that you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deep and gently within us.”

At the PAPA Fest (People Against Poverty and Apathy), which Plow Creek hosted in June, I gave a workshop sharing about my quiet time journey. I was very encouraged by the interest of 40 some people who attended.

Here at our son Andy’s graduation at Knox college. His fiancée is at his right; they are planning a wedding next year. Andy has a job teaching physics and chemistry in Chicago. Lyn and I are on the ends. Here at Old Main in the background Abraham Lincoln first denounced slavery as immoral in a debate with Douglas in 1858. Over 25% of Knox students are international or students of color. Knox library now includes about 10 of my peace books which I contributed.

Pray for
1 the Lord to speak to us in presentations I will give in the coming months and for help to open venues in which to share about peace making..
2 I need a translator from English to Spanish, I could even pay someone.

Peace, Jim

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Dear Friends, May 28, 2008 Time to Pray Letter # 10

I have been sharing the following with people these days.

“Have you heard of the book JFK and the Unspeakable by James Douglas? In it Douglas, a Christian, shows through his in-depth studies that JFK’s assassination and some other political US assassinations were related to these persons being in the process of implementing some important changes.”

“I sense our country is at a crossroads in our history. And a political assassination could be devastating for the whole world. So I would like to encourage you to say a prayer for the protection of the candidates, and for God’s will to be done in these elections. I think we can with our prayers have a part in shaping history for the better. Ask your friends and church to do the same.”

“It would be so easy to let this just be something we use to make conversation about the election and another thing to feel helpless about. We can influence this situation, contrary to the air around that says we are hopeless to change things. Watch—it might change your feeling of hopelessness. Put it on your daily prayer list. This prayer could change history for the better. Remember, Paul does call us to pray for our government leaders. This is an important time to put that into action.”

Stephanie one of those I shared with answered, “You are right, that is really a great idea. Those of us who pray need to be praying about it, and not just talking about it. I will ask my church to pray for this election.”

The above is similar to a lot of conversations I have been having with people lately.

Prayer list:

1. That God’s will be done and the Lord protect the candidates in this election.

2. Pray for reconciliation through dialog between the Colombian and Venezuelan governments. Recently they have been heavily at each other with words. And to compound the problem, US drug planes have strayed into Venezuelan territory. We do not need another war.

3. May the Lord speak at my coming sharing at PAPA (People Against Poverty and Apathy) Fest, 6/19-6/22, and Cornerstone Festival, 7/1-7/5.

Peace, Jim

Here at Plow Creek, Heather and Paul Munn (3rd and 4th from the left) are starting a spiritual retreat ministry for the poor, people from the city in recovery from homelessness or addictions who cannot afford most retreat places. To their right are some people who are interested in the retreats and may provide referrals from the ministries they work with in Chicago. Boo Graham (not pictured), Rich Foss, and I are part of an advisory committee for the ministry. This picture was taken at the first trial run retreat. I was impressed with the potential for this service.

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Just for kids Letter # 9     May 5, 2008

Dear Friend,

“Today’s presentation is just for kids and if the the adults behave we will let them listen”, thus I began my recent presentation at my home church at Plow Creek.

“Do you know what a peacebuilders is in your school?” I ask the kids.   They answered. “Sure they give up put downs, they make friends with those who are left out, they try to work things out by talking instead of hitting or fighting.”

Well, when I go to Colombia for 2- 3 months, I try to be a peacebuilder amongst the people who have been fighting for 45 years there. They are not only fighting with angry words with hands and sticks as you might with your playmates, but they are using even guns which can kill people.

Here are real bullets and a real gun. In Colombia they talk about the lead (plomo) was flying as a way to say there was a fight. They are talking about the lead here the tips in these bullets. When the trigger is pulled the gun shoots the lead out and it will tear into what ever it hits, and if it hits you here in your heart or head it could kill you.

When I was little at times we formed clubs or gangs amongst with some of my playmates in which some kids were part of the club and some were out. We did not want the people on the out part of our club.

That is in some ways similar to what is happening in the Colombian 45 years of civil war. The armed groups of guerrillas, paramilitaries, and Army are in ways like gangs fighting each other only they use real guns which really hurt each other. In Colombia the farmers just want to live in peace with their families. And these armed gangs are fighting for control of the land. Often times the farmers get afraid of being hit by the flying plomo (lead) so that they leave their homes and farms. That is very sad. We as CPTers go to be with them as a way of keeping them safe. In the same way when you and your playmate are having a fight when your parents come, you stop fighting, when Colombian gangs are threatening to hurt farmers we go there and that makes them stop.

When the war began in Colombia about 3% of the wealthy people controlled about 70% of the country. This is like if you are playing and Timmy has most of the toys for himself and won’t let the others use them. In the same way the poor farmers got to the point they did not have enough land to grow the food they needed for their families. So they formed gangs known as guerrillas to take over some of the land so they could feed their families.

When this happened the wealthy land owners hired gangs with guns known as paramilitaries to protect their lands from these guerrillas. And then armies of the government became involved in fighting the guerrillas also.
I will now tell you stories where we have had to do that same thing between Colombians with guns. It is amazing how doing that simple thing of being there can keep even adults from hurting one another and make farmers feel safe enough to stay in their homes and farms.

   Just like you are be a peacebuilder when you play with friends, we try to peacebuilder between the people in Colombia and i other places. We each have our role to play to bring peace to the world. It is good to practice being a peacebuilder wherever we are it makes everybody happier.

I thus held the attention of our grade schoolers here at Plow Creek for some 30 minutes. I have come to sense it is ever more important to share the stories of peacebuilding with our children. This exercise of sharing on kids level has helped me understand in a new way my own calling to be a peacemaker.

I am looking for groups to share about CPT with, and it can be from grade school on up if you know a group that might be interested let me know.

Outside our common building visiting after worship.

Pray I can share in ways that encourage us all to be peacebuilders.

Peace fill you today,
Jim

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Farmers of Garzal and feeding the hungry April, 2008 letter #8

Dear Friends,
Imagine being told that the home you built, or were born in, or lived in all your life is no longer legally yours and that you must leave. Further imagine that all of your relatives and neighbors are being told the same thing, and that failure to leave will result in death. This is what is happening to the communities of Garzal.

These people are now being pressured by a former owner to abandon their farms. This former owner, a cocaine producer, is using paramilitaries to threaten them. Their leader, Salvador, who is a Pentecostal pastor and their school teacher, has asked us to accompany them in their struggle to get land titles and resist expulsion from land on which they grow cacao (chocolate), bananas, and yucca. These crops are their livelihood.

So, as a way of supporting them, a CPT delegation spent three days in Garzal. We followed this with a public witness action to raise awareness of the plight of these people. It was finalized with a letter that we signed to the government agency INCODER asking them to grant land titles to these long time residents according to Colombian law. More details on the history and plight of these people can be found at ……http://www.cpt.org/content/colombia-project the dispossessed.

Please take a moment to pray for the people of Garzal, and write a letter in support of the farmers of Garzal. There is a sample letter below.

Here is the Christian Peacemaker Team with the CPT delegation doing a public witness in front of the INCODER offices in Barranca, Colombia. INCODER is the government agency that issues land titles. Left to right, I am the fourth person, and the 11th person is my best friend on the team, Pierre. The 12th person is Jonathan who heads the feeding program described below. The banner says, “We ask INCODER to provide titles and security to the farmers of Garzal

Jonathan tells about the food program by saying, “We started when someone in our church said, ‘I have $15.00 I want to give to provide food for the hungry displaced people in our city of Bogota.’ Thus started a program for feeding the hungry that has expanded into providing 400 meals every Saturday evening. These meals go to homeless people with all kinds of problems such as drug addiction and mental problems. We have some 40 people who do this, including youth and displaced people.

Displaced people who are struggling to survive themselves have little they can share, so it is a real gift to them for it enables them to help others. It has revived our youth group. We have expanded into a house in which we provide 100 meals every day to needy children through volunteers. Whenever we need anything like chairs or tables, etc, it seems the Lord always provides. I see them as miracles. We bought a building and a business man is giving the gift of having it remodeled.” Jonathan Stucky is a CPTer on the Team and the grandson of the founder of the Mennonite Church of Colombia. This is an inspiring a story of some of God’s present activity.

The reason that you have not heard from me is that I have been in some turmoil. A prayer for me as the dust settles in my life would be appreciated.

Thanks be to God for all the lives that were helped by our presence in the last months.

Peace,

Jim

PS. Write a letter of support for the community of Garzal

Sample letter:
Queridas Comunidades de Garzal y Nueva Esperanza:

Mi nombre es ( your name ) y soy de ( Your city and state or province and country )

A través de los Equipos Cristianos de Acción por la Paz he conocido la situación de sus comunidades. Me parece muy valiente su lucha por sus tierras y por su vida campesina. Quisiera que sepan que sigo pendiente de su situación y me comprometo a seguir apoyándoles con oraciones u otras formas que nos podrían solicitar en el futuro.

Siempre en nuestras oraciones,

( Your Name ),

( Your Church or Organization )

We encourage you to add a sentence or two of your own to this letter, even if it is in English. You can also cut and paste this onto your church or organization’s letter head, or add a photo.

Your letter can be sent to the Colombia team via email or fax and we will deliver the letters to the community.

E-mail: cptco@cpt.org

Fax: 011-577-602-3617

Translation of the letter:
My name is _____________________ and I am from _______________________.

Through the work of Christian Peacemaker Teams I am aware of the situation of your community. Your struggle for your land and your rural lifestyle is valiant. I want you to know that I am following the situation and I am committed to support you through prayer and other actions that you may request in the future.

You are always in our prayers.
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An Army Visit 3-28-08 Letter # 7 from Colombia

Dear Friend,

“There must have been 40 or 50 soldiers from the Colombian Army who came through here. They accused Jorge, my son, of being an informer for the guerrillas. I was so scared. They took his picture and asked him a lot of accusing questions. I was afraid to let him go fishing like he often does. They were all around the house. I was afraid that if there was a confrontation with the guerrillas, bullets might hit any one of my children.”

“They asked our first and last names and checked them, with lots of others from the community, against their list of supposed guerrilla sympathizers. We are not guerrilla sympathizers, but there is nothing we can do to convince them otherwise. They have guns, so I don’t argue with them. Someone must be singling us out. I was so scared that I called Pierre of CPT to let you all know about it. Then I was scared that they might be listening in on the call. Pierre said it is was ok and wondered why the army keeps using these fear and intimidation tactics that make the people more afraid and less supportive of the Army.” (This was a good thing for Pierre to say, as way of getting this advice to the government, as we actually do have pretty clear evidence that the Colombian government does listen to our calls.) We were thankful to be able to listen for about an hour to this discourse as Rosa shared her many fears.

Stu, the other CPTer with me, then gave Rosa one of our pamphlets with our phone numbers on it. And I gave them a pamphlet from the Red Cross that explained their rights and the fact that it was against international law for armed groups to be near people’s homes because it endangered the residents. Stu and I then told Rosa, “Show these to any of the armed groups that might come by and tell them to give us a call if they want to know who we are. If they know an international organization is paying attention to you, they might think twice before acting.” This could be a help for them, if it happens again. We hope it will help them feel a bit safer.

This is Rosa’s second marriage, as her first husband was killed by one of the armed groups a few years ago as he was riding his horse on their farm. This explains some of her fears. The family seems to have adjusted well in spite of this drama in their life. They milk 14 Brahma cows and make cheese to sell. Everyone in the family is very friendly, and I always enjoy visiting with them. For security reasons the names have been changed and I was unable to include a photo of the family.

Pray for Rosa and the other families for their safety and peace of mind.

On April 1, I fly to Chicago. The adjustment period usually is hard and it's easy to get depressed, so your prayers for me would be appreciated. Thanks much.

Peace,

Jim
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Land Mines, Cocaine, and the Army 3-24-08 Letter #6 from Colombia

Dear Friend,
Land mines are one of our biggest problems here. You know how children are. You tell them to stay on the path, but it is so hard for them to realize the danger and obey. Just for them to go to help find some firewood or go to school, it is so dangerous. One was badly injured and we took him to the hospital in San Pablo, and they said they could not treat him there. Then we had to take him to Bucaramanga, all at our expense. There doesn't seem to be any help from the government," shared one of the farmers.

Delcy, from the Vice President's Office of Human Rights, answered, "If they cannot treat a person in San Pablo, they are responsible for transporting him to where he can be treated. I will have that looked into."

Another farmer shared, "The Army treats us like dirt. They have check points on the paths to our fields, and they stop us and accuse us of being guerrillas and detain us for hours at a time. They entice our children with candy and then try to pump them for information. Is that legal? Sometimes people just disappear and are never heard from again"

Delcy answered again, "I am sorry to say they can detain persons for 36 hours legally. If the Army is doing things illegally, write down exactly what it is and their battalion, names, rank, etc…and when and where as quickly as possible. Use your cell phones to call the Defensor, me, or any government agency you have access to, and we will contact who is in charge of the battalion to change whatever they are doing wrong."

Another farmer responded, "Many times they won't tell us what battalion they are part of, or they come without shirts that identify who they are. At times the illegal paramilitaries, the "Black Eagles," are part of the Army too. Last week when the army was manually pulling up coca plants, two homes were burned down. Things are horrible here."

Delcy responded. "Then just give us as much information as you can as soon as possible. The sooner you let us know, the more effectively we can use this to stop illegal things from happening and prevent more bad things."

"Another big problem here is the government spraying of our coca fields with extra strength Roundup (cocaine is made from coca leaves). Often they miss their mark, and we lose our food crops, or they hit the springs that are our water supplies, or our corrals of our cows or mules. And when they miss, the government says they will reimburse us for any damages, but they never do," shared another farmer.

The Defensor (the government agent for human rights) responded, " Get me the information as to when and where these mistakes happened, and I will inform the authorities whose job it is to investigate and pay you for the damages. If they don't do it in a timely manner, I will have the information and pressure for an investigation myself."

This was part of two meetings with various farm communities to share their plight with a commission. We were accompanying them as a way of providing the meetings and the commission with security. These are some of the various agencies which made up the commission: The Program for Peace and Development, The Organization of American States, the regional Mayor's Office, and several human rights and refugee agencies. Some thought perhaps 50 families would soon abandon their homes unless something changes.

The travel to these communities was a horrendous, dusty, three hour (one way) trip through creeks and over football sized rocks and holes and up and down mountains on the back of a small one ton truck. On the one trip the truck was so full that two fellows rode on top of the cab. I even developed an open sore from sitting on just a board as a seat. The one village was named Paradise; I felt we had to go through hell to get to Paradise. Despite the rough travel, I am thankful to be able to be supportive to these people. Thank you for your part in enabling me to do the trip. Wouldn't it be great if the million dollars a day we give in military aid to Colombia were used for roads instead?

Here is a link to some more pictures of this trip: http://www.plowcreek.org/paradise-photos.htm These pictures will really give you a good idea of the remoteness of the area and how these people live.

Pray for peace and security for Paradise and the other communities. Pray that the paramilitaries, guerrillas, and Army would see the light: that violence does not work.

Peace, Jim

Here I am on the street having breakfast of an oatmeal drink and deep fried mashed
potato ball with one of the farmers I befriended. He told me
"I lost my dad, two uncles and a brother to the armed groups.
My dad just disappeared; we never saw him again."
On the trip he pointed out once, "Those guys in the truck that just passed us were paramilitaries."
The woman in the picture is the food vendor.

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Spreading Peace in Taxis 3/19/08 Letter #5 from Colombia

Hello friends!

"Would you like something to read on peace?" I asked the taxi driver as I had done probably a half a dozen times to taxi drivers in my trip to Bogota. He responded, "Sure, I am always interested in reading." I told him about Peace Pilgrim's 28 years walking and sharing about peace in the USA and gave him a Peace Pilgrim booklet.

And than I said, "You know I am sorry to say that I feel a lot of the conflict here in Colombia is caused by the million dollars a day my government gives in military aid to Colombia. Can you imagine the lobbying being done to keep the war going by the big US corporations who are supplying those arms?" He responded, "That has been my analysis too. It seems your government wants to keep the war going for the business it generates."

I am reading Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins. It is about Perkins' life of working to convince governments of poor countries to go into debt to do large electrification projects. Perkins would manipulate the numbers to convince governments to accept the project, which would make government leaders very wealthy. The interest from these loans would than saddle the people of the country with a debt forever to the World Bank and other such institutions. In the process, numerous big corporations like Bechtel and Halliburton make the profits by doing the work in the deal. This book is the story of Perkins coming to see how his work was causing great poverty and suffering for many people, eventually causing him to quit his job.

It was a very depressing book at times, until I came to realize that bringing this evil to the light is an important part of God's work to overcome this darkness and transform the world. I've had to remind myself several times of this in order to keep reading. I also had to go back to the "what you can do about it" section so as not to lose hope. Four times he started writing the book, but always quit for fear of reprisals. Perkins only finished the book after his daughter told him, "If they get you I will see that the truth gets out."

I give thanks for the negotiated settlement that was worked out between the Latin American Presidents. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise be to God!

People here were glued to the TV watching the negotiations. The people did not want more war. Pray this will help leaders see that talking is much better for making peace than military action.

I also give thanks for working things through with the CPT team. It has given me a sense of peace, and I sense this has helped keep depression away.

Before we came to a decision for me not to do presentations in Colombia, a teacher told me, "You have a standing invitation to speak to my 120 students. Let me know when you can do it." So I asked the team how I should respond and they said, "You should say yes."

So pray for the three slide presentations I will be doing at a local high school with the help of another CPTer and a Colombian friend. Pray that the Lord would speak to the students in the presentations and literature we will give them as they decide whether they should comply with the mandatory military service required by the government. Upon graduation, about 50% of the boys will join the military. The military has been doing irregular recruiting here in Barrancabermeja, by going through the streets in trucks and picking up any male youth. They detain them if they cannot show that they have completed their military service or that they are exempt for various reasons, including being a conscientious objector.

Peace to you today,

Jim

Here I am during a recent Opon visit in a shelter where we sleep. It was one of those sticky nights that did not cool off very much. When we arrived it was pitch black, so the head light I am wearing (a gift from my daughter Emily) really was a big help in putting up the mosquito net and tent. You can see the school in the background. The more than 25 chiggers and mosquito bites on my body I am still nursing with Vicks, which stops the itching.

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Unexpected Answers to Prayer 3/4/08 Letter #4 from Colombia

Hello friends,

This week, as the team and I met together to hear each other, I really sensed that God was actively involved (as He always is) in our lives. I went into the sharing time a bit anxious, with notes to make sure I did not forget something, but once I got started I hardly looked at the notes and was able to just share from my heart in a sense of trust and peace.

As a part of my quiet time, one of the things I read almost daily is a truth I came to one time with a counselor as I was dealing with a conflict. It is: "When I enter into conflict with a pure heart and trust and not as a power struggle to win, it leads to peace and us affirming each other." I sense God has enabled this "peace and affirming each other" to happen here with the team.

The team has very generously given hours in reading and meeting to work not only on the issue of my desire to do peacemaking presentations about CPT with the Mennonite Brethren, but also to working through the misunderstandings and human errors that developed, all with lots of care and consideration for me. And through this sharing I have come to see that my hearing problems and level of Spanish could lead to misunderstandings that could very easily endanger the team or one the organizations with whom we work. One incident that really brought this home to me was at church on Sunday. I gave an "Amen!" to a brother sharing his belief that the recent killing of the FARC leader by the military was part of God's plan to end the war! Of course, I deeply do not believe is that any killing is in God's plans. I misunderstood him. Thankfully, another CPTer was along to help me see my mistake.

So for now, it seems best to all of the team, including me, for me not to do presentations here in Colombia. It is humbling to share this with you, though I am also reminded that to be humble and honest is good. And I am also encouraged by Peterson's introduction to the prophets in The Message Bible where he says, "Judgment . . . can never be the worst that can happen. It is the best, for it is the work of God to set the world and us, right." (p.1196)

At the same time the team strongly affirmed my sharing on a one to one with taxi drivers and street vendors etc, particularly using the Peace Pilgrim booklet. This is a gift I feel I have and am being used by God in doing. It is real good to have this gift recognized and affirmed by the team, as it was something that I was doing but I wasn't clear till now that the whole team affirmed this.

I sense your prayers and concern have had a definite part in bringing a space of peace and trust so we could hear and share with each other very openly. Through it all, I do feel we came to a good reconciliation between us and unity in agreement on what is the best solution.

The newspapers and people we talk to all indicate that things are tense in the government here with the situation with Ecuador and Venezuela. Pray that through this crisis leaders might come to see the futility of using the military to try to solve the conflict and that there be a peaceful solution.

Thanks to each of YOU very much!!!

Keep praying.

Peace, Jim

Here I am on the right on a visit with Chan, a 80 some year old natural healer. Chan is the one without a shirt. He teased me when I took the picture saying, " Don't you like my shirt?!!" A few years ago when my leg was swollen from a peto (a giant mosquito) bite, his remedy healed me when antibiotics didn't work. On the left is Chan's grandson, to whom Chan is teaching his healing art. In between us is his wife. Ask me sometime and I'll tell you other ways he helped me.

Jim Fitz

"The Repairman's Mother In-law" 2-28-08 Letter #3 from Colombia

Dear Friends,

"My mother in-law Nellie read that Peace Pilgrim booklet you gave me. She was very moved by it, and she would like to read more by Peace Pilgrim. Do you have any thing else? And she would like to talk to you too," our repairman excitedly said to me. I responded, "I don't have any thing else by Peace Pilgrim, but you can give her this book Restorative Justice by Howard Zehr."

Later I got to talk to Nellie. Nellie then shared, "Oh yes, that was really inspiring. We have to build peace person by person and house by house by the way that we relate to and treat each other. What Peace Pilgrim has to say is very important. And I really like the book Restorative Justice that I am now reading. I especially like to read stuff like that." I responded, "When you get that one finished, I can loan you another book!"

The political saga continues in Barranca. A prominent Catholic priest, Padre Francisco, a close consultant to the Mayor, who is a Pentecostal, publicly mentioned the other day that he thought the City Council is full of a lot of corruption. Many people know this to be true, but no one of such prominence ever said it before. Council members responded, "Where is the evidence?" He responded, "I have the evidence, and if it comes to court I will show the evidence. However, maybe we should wait and see if the Council will change and stop its corrupt ways, and we won't have to bring it to court." They have been balking at not following past ways in which they always received bribes from the mayor. Everyone knows if it comes to court, the Council does not have much hope of winning, so Francisco has them over a barrel.

Three days ago three persons who work in Human Rights were killed. In January, 21 persons were assassinated in this region. In some ways it seems the light is coming through the new Mayor and Padre Francisco's courage to say no to corruption. And in other ways the darkness seems to be fighting the light with these killings. Pray for the light to overcome the darkness in Barranca and for the protection of the Mayor and Padre Francisco.

I had a good talk on with one of the CPTers about how my peace evangelism, as she called it, is different from many CPTers' way of peacemaking here. However, I still find myself anxious and depressed at times when I think about the issues. Pray that I could just somehow simply trust God in the waiting and through it all.

Thanks much, and peace to you today,

Jim

"Good Friends" 2-22-08 Letter # 2 from Colombia

Hello friends,

"Long time no see. How are you?" Manuel asked. I responded to my friend, a 73-year-old street vendor, by saying, "I have been having my challenges. My knees have been bothering me a bit." As he removed a container of lotion from his market booth, Manuel said, "This will take away your pain." "How much is it?" I asked as I took out my wallet. Manuel answered insistently, "Oh, absolutely nothing, it's a gift." When I visited Manuel another day he offered me another lotion. It does work, too.

Down the street I came upon another of my friends, Govianno, a tamarindo juice vendor. It was, as usual, close to 100 degrees so I said, "I'll have to have a cup of ice cold tamarindo. How much is it?" He shook his finger to say no, and said, "I am so glad to see you; it's on me." He then refilled my cup as we shared how our families were doing.

Another day I visited Alfonso, who sells reading glasses, and bought a pair. His helper said it was 12 pesos, but then Alfonso insisted it be 8 pesos. He told me he hoped to visit his daughters in Bogota and that takes a lot of money.

The generosity of these friends who are relatively poor compared to me was quite moving as I reflected on our exchanges. Here the poor are teaching me by example how to be generous.

Sunday after church, friends Eberthys and Roberto invited me home for a meal. It was a good time catching up with each other. Then somehow I got to sharing about my excitement about the book, "The Myth of a Christian Nation" by Greg Boyd. I said, "Boyd has helped me see more clearly than ever that as followers of Jesus we need to watch very carefully that we do not align ourselves with any political party. We must be suspicious of all parties and yet support any efforts for peace, justice, mercy, and truth no matter what party."

My hosts then shared, "What is known as the 'Charismatic Church' in Bogota has grown by leaps and bounds. Recently the Colombian President Uribe and his family attended 'Charismatic Church' meetings as a way of drawing more people to that church. The church, as a result, is giving a lot political support to Uribe. Here in Barranca many evangelicals are also aligned with political parties because of favors they receive from them."

"I would really be interested in reading that book," Roberto said. I gave them a copy of the book. Eberthys is an English teacher and will translate for Roberto.

They also shared about the recently elected Mayor Contreras, who is a Pentecostal, and stated, "Usually any time a new mayor is elected, he is expected to give some special favors to each of the Council members to get their cooperation. But Contreras publicly announced he was not going to do that and that money would be spent according to people's needs instead of according to political favors."

Another aspect is that Contreras is relatively poor and he was running against a wealthy politician who owns the TV station. Everyone thought Contreras did not have much of a chance against such wealth and power, but Contreras won by just several hundred votes. Things don't have to continue the same as they have always.

These experiences confirm the principles that Lynne Twist points to in her book The Soul of Money. One truth is that the rich and poor both really need to help each other in the journey to find fulfillment. Another is that it is a lie that the rich and the powerful always win.

Please pray for wisdom and courage for Mayor Contreras.

Please also pray that I would be humble enough to admit my mistakes and to forgive others for any hurts I have felt as I work with the Team on my differences with them.

I am thankful for my Colombian friendships and the generosity they are teaching me.

Peace to you,

Jim

Here I am with a 73-year-old friend in the Opon looking over his 5 acre corn field, which he cleared with a machete and an ax. Notice the leftover stumps. He plans to turn the field into pasture for cattle. It had just rained and the corn was looking good.

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"Back in Colombia"    2-14-08   Letter #1

Hello friends,

            In the nine hour bus trip to Barranca from Bogota, I found my mind going through tapes of defending myself before the team over the issues we were going to be facing. Then I felt guilty, anxious and full of emotional pain about this. While I was experiencing this mental anguish, I was trying to keep from watching a shoot'm up movie on the bus TV. Finally, toward the end of the trip, I thought to try to pray, which gave me relief and peace. Thanks be to God for God and prayer.

            It was really nice to be greeted cheerfully by friends Michele and Charletta upon my arrival at the house in Barranca. I was also grateful for the nice, simple meal which was ready for me.

            The next morning I found my fearful thoughts returning. Then Charletta, as she led team worship, said, "We want to welcome Jim during this time. Jim, can you share with us what your hopes are for your next two months with us?" Since they did not know about my wanting to work on my pain over my differences with the team, I hesitated as I wondered what I should say. I then said, "Perhaps this is the time to put some things out on the table. One of the purposes of my time here is to see if the team and I can find a way that is agreeable to both of us that I can share with the Mennonite Brethren. Also, I want to come to reconciliation with the team over the pain and hurt that has resulted from this conflict in the last months."

            It was a big relief to me to be able to share this, instead of keeping it all inside me. Again, I felt the hand of the Lord working to make things easier for me. Several times during this process I have recalled Bo Lozoff's writing in It's a Meaningful Life, "When we do hard things we are richer for it." Even though it feels very hard, I believe working this conflict through face to face is the right thing to do.

            A little later Pierre, Michele and I met to talk about how to proceed. I felt stuck and was not seeing a good answer as to how to proceed, till the next morning when the idea came to just start from the very beginning and share what happened. This brought me peace again. We will do that again in two weeks when Michele gets back from vacation. Again I am thankful for what feels like a breakthrough.

            Attended a Bogotá Mennonite church and saw lots of friends. One expressed his thanks for my emails. I also had a great five hours with a friend in Bogotá who has been reading some of the same books as I have. We sensed the Lord's hand in bringing us together to encourage each other in our journeys.

            Pray:

            For my peace and patience as I work issues through one step at a time with the team.

            For us, the team, as we meet some challenges in order to provide protection to a person in the Opon. Sorry I can't share more.

Peace, Jim

Here is the team in our patio in Barranca. Left to right is Michele, Nils (wife and husband), Jim, Charletta, Pierre, and Tim. Charletta and Tim (wife and husband) and I are planing for our working together at the Cornerstone music festival this summer.

Jim Fitz
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Off to Colombia Jan. 08

Hello friend,

On February 2 I will head to Barrancabermeja, Colombia for two months to be a part of the Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) working to reduce violence in the 45 year old civil war. This is in place of my former plans to work with the Colombia Mennonite Brethren Church (MB). The change is because CPT raised security and other concerns about my plan. I hope to discuss these further with CPT leadership on January 16 in Chicago and with the team when I am in Colombia. As my pastor reminds me, "The best way to build trust is to work through conflicts."

This issue has made the last months very difficult for me as I struggled with giving up the call to work with the MB's for now. In a way this feels like this is a part of a process of the Lord doing peacemaking within CPT. I hope you can say a prayer for us as we work on these hard issues. We will need it.

CarlosContreras was inaugrrated as the new mayor of the Barranca region on January 1. He is from the Penteclstal four Square

Gospel Church, His advisors, the Catholic Bishop and Carlos's pastor, both spoke at his inauguration.
This could mean the beginning of a new Protestant/Catholic relationship in Barranca. The election has been a slap in the face to party politics. Contreras is a people's candidate and not part of any party machine. It is a very positive event.

Here in Illinois, I recently had a very positive experience sharing my slides with a women's study group. It has been meeting for 127 years. Its impetus was to work on the getting women the right to vote. They are a diverse group from the full political spectrum. Their dialogue is building peace at the roots of our society. Last year they studied WWII and this year they are studying peace. They had lots of good questions.

Please pray for my discussions on security and other concerns with CPT, and for my busy time as I finish up some peace work here and prepare to go to Colombia.

Peace to you today,

Jim

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