Peace at Colombia's borders

The following is a letter from Boyce and Beth Wallace, missionaries to Colombia, received today.

Dear Friends,

We are rejoicing because the first step towards peace has been taken between Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela this afternoon. In a scheduled meeting of the Grupo de Rio, a meeting of Latin American presidents, in Santo Domingo, it was decided to openly deal with the crisis. The four presidents: Uribe of Colombia, Correa of Ecuador, Chavez of Venezuela and Ortega of Nicaragua, decided to present their disputes openly before the body. It was a heated debate with speeches for peace by other leaders.

Then in an unexpected intervention, Chavez went through a brief history of recent L:A: conflicts and revoluntary movements that have ended in peace with a minimum of blood- shed. Many of the former revolutionaries and "communists" were present representing their legitimate nations. Then he made an emotional plea for Peace! After all his war rhetoric, no one could believe what they heard. Soon after his speech, Uribe retreated from his hard line and they all got up and began hugging each other! This was happening before our eyes on Television. We could not help but cry at seeing peacemaking before our eyes.

Maybe this is a premature celebration and we pray it is not. We believe the Lord was working before our eyes on screen. Accusers and accused, insulters and insultaded all changing their positions: It was like the close of a revival service. Here were Latins solving their own problems by themselves. No doubt this meeting is going to be interpreted in many ways, positive and negative, but we rejoice and thank God for moving among these leaders and holding off what could have been an ugly war. You were praying with us. Now we want you to share in our thanksgiving to the Lord.

In this crisis, Beth and I asked ourselves what could we do as peacemakers according to the Beatitudes, and decided the only thing and the best thing we could do was pray for those who are working for a peaceful solution to this problem. It seemed so impossible at first, but was it?

Boyce and Beth