Pray with Colombia on Sunday, November 4, 2018
Lectionary Selection: Mark 12:28-34
Prayers for Colombia:
Loving God, today we pray for the country of Colombia and our Global Ministries partners there. Laying down weapons of war after fifty years of internal armed conflict is not easy. But you commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and the people of Colombia are attempting to do just that through a comprehensive peace accord, signed in 2016. Today we pray for partner churches located in the regions where thousands of former guerrilla combatants are reentering civilian life. Give 
them courage and knowledge to best know how to minister in these complex times. We pray for our partner organizations, Justapaz, of the Mennonite Church of Colombia and the Peace Commission of the Evangelical Council of Colombia as they implement peacebuilding programs while still facing considerable threat in unstable times. Through the practice of radical love, may we draw near to your kingdom.
Mission Stewardship Moment from Colombia:
In January of last year over 10,000 former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia guerrilla fighters disarmed and demobilized 
as a result of the December 2016 peace accord. Thus began a long and challenging reentry process for many of them who had been part of the rebel army for most of their lives.
The Cafepaz Peace Studies Center in Colombia, an initiative started by Global Ministries partner organization Justapaz, has been leading workshops on conflict transformation and restorative justice at the Icononzo FARC Reintegration Community since early 
September. The workshops bring together both former FARC guerrilla combatants and civilian “receptor community” leaders in the hopes of helping facilitate a smooth a reentry process for both the ex-combatants and the civilian community they are now joining (many of whom were victims of the armed conflict). Cafepaz reports, “Seeing former FARC combatants and civilians who were victims of the armed conflict doing joint dramatizations and peacefully discussing conflict was powerful and rewarding!”
We are grateful for the steps towards peace and coexistence that are being taken in Colombia and for the courageous and creative work done by our partners to support those who were once directly involved in the war.
Prayer and Mission Moment by Micheal Joseph
More information on Colombia: http://www.globalministries.org/colombia
Global Ministries Mission Co-worker in Colombia:
Michael Joseph serves with Justapaz and the Cafepaz Peace Studies Center. His appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, and your special gifts.