Jim's Peacemaking

Over the last six years, my work with CPT in Colombia and the subsequent sharing of that work in slide presentations here in the US has been the centerpiece of my peacemaking work. On Dec. 15 I received a phone call and email from the CPT team that they had decided to ask me not to return to Colombia to be part of the team. At the same time they strongly affirmed my work and passion for peace work. This decision was a shock to me, for although there have been differences at times between me and CPT, I thought that last spring we had worked them through. I want to say first that despite our differences, I see CPT doing lots of good, enabling Colombian farmers to stay on their land, saving lives, and exposing wrongs to the light, to name a few. And because of this I hope the Lord can somehow work things out for me to promote CPT here in the USA. We will see. Although this news has been extremely difficult for me emotionally, I sense God has used it to help me see that it is time to sepa...

Una Nueva Orientación por mi Pacimiento 23/1/2009 Hola Amigo, Tras las últimas seis años, mi trabajo con CPT en Colombia y el comportamiento de ese trabajo posteriormente en presentaciones diapositivas aquí en los estados unidos ha sido el centro de mi trabajo de pacimiento. En el 15 de Diciembre recibí una llamada y un email del equipo de CPT de Colombia diciendo que ellos preferirían que yo no regrese a Colombia para ser parte de su equipo Colombiano. Al mismo tiempo, ellos afirmieron fuertemente mi trabajo y pasión por el trabajo de paz. Ésta decisión fue un golpe fuerte para me, porque aunque habían diferencias entre CPT y yo en el pasado, pensé que ésta última primavera habíamos resolvió las problemas. Quiero decir primeramente que a pesar de nuestras diferencias, creo que CPT hace muchas bondades, facilitando la lucha de los obreros Colombianos para quedarse en su tierra, salvando vidas, y exponiendo las maldades a la luz, y muchas mas. ...

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 ...

Hello Friend, "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 no...

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

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."...

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 ch...