Peace week! We looked at many different ways of building peace, from the bottom up through grassroots movements, to laws and international activities. Peace is so much more creative than conflict! Over and over, it was stressed that we must examine ourselves and our personal approaches to conflict, lifestyle and peace. The need for coherence
I was going to write a nice list of facts about the armed conflict in Colombia, our theme of the week. For example, did you know that there have been more disappeared persons in Colombia, a country that boasts having the longest democracy in Latin America, than in Chile or Argentina, during the high of
After a very full week of Colombian history, a relaxing four day retreat of getting to know the entire MCC Colombia team, we have finished as intensive week of studying economy, both that of Colombia and our own. On Monday, we looked at the structural power of our respective countries and economies, looking at the
What do you think of when you hear the word culture? What is Canadian culture? What best represents Canadian culture? What is Colombian culture? How is culture even defined in the first place? In case you can’t guess, last week was all about exploring culture, both our own and here in Colombia. To start the
Life in Bogota continues, each day faster than the other! I’m living in what is known here as the Mennonite Barrio. Many of the leaders of the Mennonite Church of Colombia live here; I’m staying with the son of one of the pastors, while his wife and two-year old twins are in Canada for paperwork.
What a weekend! It was so good to stop and breathe and take a break from an intense first week here in Bogota. It many ways, it feels like I have been here forever, but on the other hand, like I still know nothing at all. Friday was a capstone day in a very long
“The most difficult and the most encouraging part of working with MCC and our partners here in Colombia is that we are always trying to do the impossible.” This statement made by one of MCC’s workers here in Bogota, is one of many that reflects the complexities, challenges and opportunities that underlie everything that happens
Orientation continues in full swing today. I’m starting to feel more comfortable with people. Compared to Monday, it feels like a big difference. I can joke and laugh and feel like I can show a little bit more of myself. However, Spanish is a challenge. It was especially difficult yesterday afternoon. We visited a cultural
Managua, Nicaragua is an unexpected treat. I’ve posted some pictures of where we are staying. We are all here together for the week for orientation, getting to know both each other and Mennonite Central Committee. So far, it has only been half a day and there is already much to process and to think about.
I’m sitting in the Vancouver airport. I just said good-by to some amazing friends who I am going to miss mucho. It is late at night. I went to spend my last Canadian change at Tim Hortons. I don’t remember the last time I had a doughnut, but it seems like a good time to
Anna L. Vogt 