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Soldier for Peace

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Warm greetings,Friends,

Here in Barrancabermeja a friend from the Baptist church told me, “It is CPT’s example that got us churches out of just praying and into doing something for peace and the poor. Keep it up. You are very important to the churches. We are praying for CPT.” On November 26th there is meeting of all Protestant churches to discern how they can work together to work for peace and on behalf of the poor.

Here in the Opon the farmers say how important our continued present is for their security. They say how grateful they are to have the Barranca churches and a church development agency now active in the Opon. It is such a blessing to witness their uniting to stand up against the armed groups. This is a most hopeful sign for a lasting peace in the Opon. I am humbled that it has been enabled, for the most part, because of CPT’s presence.

I hate to ask for money, but as you know I could not give my full time to peacemaking without your help. It is getting to the end of the year and the time when many of you do your planning for the coming year. To date in 2004 I have received $8577. So I still need $1864 to reach my goal of raising $10,441 in donations for this year. I hope this appeal may also provide some funds to start 2005.

This is your opportunity to support this part in the Colombian peace process. To do so, make your tax deductible contribution check out to Plow Creek Mennonite Church with Jim’s Peacemaking in the memo line. Send to Plow Creek Mennonite Church, 19183 Plow Creek Road, Tiskilwa, Illinois, 61368.

Thank you for considering helping peace have a chance.

Blessings of peace surround you these days,
Jim

To maintain one soldier for war our taxes pay $150,000.
I will be a soldier for peace for only $10,441 in donations.

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