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Date: April 5th 2008

These reflections were written by accompanier Barbara Clawson in her last days before leaving Colombia.

Holy Week in Barranquilla provided opportunities for new experiences in worship and looking at the crucifixion in a new way. We attended the Maundy Thursday service at the Presbyterian Church in Pital. In an enactment of the Seder meal, the children, robed in white, took the role of the disciples. Throughout the meal, the children asked the questions and the congregation read or gave the answers in an open discussion. Following the opening questions "Why are meeting today?" "What are we celebrating?" Deuteronomy 6:20-25 was read. After the children asked, "Why did Jesus wash the feet of the disciples?" the feet of two of the disciples were washed. The answer to the next question, "Why are we eating lettuce in this meal?" was that it was a reminder of the bitterness of slavery in Egypt. The pastor then asked what bitter things they had experienced in their lives. Among the answers were displacement, the violence, and the disappeared . Foods served during the meal to the children and the congregation were typical of Colombia and answers to the questions about the foods related the experiences of the Hebrews to those of Colombians. It was a meaningful, participatory service.

At the Good Friday service, the congregation was divided into seven groups with one of Jesus' last words from the cross assigned to each group. Questions asked of each group were about the meaning of the words in Jesus' time and the meaning for us as individuals, the church and the broader community now.

The early morning Easter service at Colegio Americano was filled with joy as expressed in the songs, liturgy, prayers, etc. At one point three women portrayed the visit to the tomb, and then after hearing the news about Jesus, hurried off the stage and cried out, "He is risen! He is risen!" I especially enjoyed the ending of the service with children coming down the aisles carrying balloons.

As I have met people here who have experienced so much suffering and tragedy in their lives and know they are representative of thousands of others, it is easy to ask, "Where is God in all of this? How long must the suffering go on?" Then when I think of the cross, I know where God is—right in the midst of our suffering. Although God does not condone suffering, God's presence is with those who are suffering. The cross shows us a God who loves us deeply, who suffers in the midst of the world's brokenness in order to mend and redeem it.

As I review my experience here, I, like so many others, leave with a renewed commitment to serve as an advocate for Colombia and to pray for this country. In addition, one of the things I was reminded of during this experience was to let God be God and to trust God when not much was happening in terms of our schedule. I was faithful in what I understood God's call to be in regard to coming to Colombia and I had to trust that God's purpose was being served at times when it was difficult to discern what it might be. For someone accustomed to being actively involved in ministry just being here didn't seem like a very significant thing to be doing. Although I know we are here as a presence to provide a safer space for the Presbyterian Colombians to speak the truth to power and to walk with the victims of the violence, it took some time for me to internalize the idea that presence was the key word. My thoughts then centered on the idea that if presence with brother s and sisters in Christ is the focus of this ministry then it follows that presence and openness to God is equally necessary. Maintaining the balance between the outward expression of my faith in activity and the inward journey focusing on spending time open to God's presence has been one theme of my reflections during my time here. These reflections are not new ideas for me but the time here has been a reminder of these aspects of my faith journey.