Winter has arrived
Dear friends,
You may laugh at this, but winter has arrived in Puerto Rico. Since we live in a tropical climate, any temperature below 70 degrees is considered cold here. The temperatures have been in the 60’s!
Dear friends,
You may laugh at this, but winter has arrived in Puerto Rico. Since we live in a tropical climate, any temperature below 70 degrees is considered cold here. The temperatures have been in the 60’s!
My wish is that the temperature hopefully affects the hot political debate that continues to permeate our society since the November elections. The results of the past elections resulted in a co-government, a first one for the island.
As I informed you in my winter letter in 2004, I began working with Amnesty International, the Puerto Rico section. My role is to help implement the AI international campaign denouncing violence against women. Specifically, I’ll be working in introducing the campaign to churches in the island and the Caribbean. This is a six years campaign launched by AI in March last year with the purpose to call attention on the situation of violence against women around the world. I’m very excited about this opportunity which will enable me to put to good use my many years of experience working on women’s issues.
Also, I’ll be working with the Caribbean Conference of Churches, the ecumenical regional council of churches and institutions covering Panama, Guyana, and north of Venezuela plus the entire Caribbean. I’m the liaison for the Spanish speaking Caribbean, with my work focused on the effects of globalization in the region.
In addition, I continue to represent the UCC, as an alternate, in the Ryder’s Hospital board of directors. I found very interesting that Ryder was established by UCC missionaries in 1914 and now has a missionary serving on their board.
Locally, I continue my involvement with the United Evangelical Church in Arzuaga Street. Last week we celebrated Ash Wednesday with a very moving service. After reflecting about the origins and meaning of this celebration, we wrote on a piece of paper our worries, hurts, and concerns, then burned them in a small pyre. We hope to emerge from these ashes. We ended the ceremony singing hymns and praying for peace on our island, the USA, and the world.
On November 30, I’ll be ending my three years term here. In December I’ll begin my itineration in the USA. I look forward to sharing with you all my experiences here.
May this Lent Season be one of reflection and cleansing that will lead you to the Joy of Easter!
In Christ,
Carmen Alicia Nebot (Ali)
Ali Nebot is a missionary with the Evangelical Council of Puerto Rico. She serves as a program coordinator on human rights issues.