Accompanier Reports

By Ann Rosewall and Ruth Hamilton Invariably, when I ask a question here in Colombia, the answer will culminate in the phrase, Es complicado. It’s complicated. Really? I’ve spent quite a bit of time in…

By Ann Rosewall I am truly blessed to be with my accompaniment partner, Rev. Ruth Hamilton, of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C. With over 30 years of experience in pastoral ministry, Ruth brings to the…

By Ann Rosewall and Ruth Hamilton When Latin American people speak there is an immediacy and directness to their words that feels different than in the US. As if we have been trained to talk…

By Janet Lowery and Tricia Lloyd-Sidle We thought people would ask us to explain the vote for Trump, but no. They hugged us, expressed solidarity, and shared concerns about what this might mean for Colombia's…

By Janet Lowery and Tricia Lloyd-Sidle A large percentage of Colombia’s 6.9 million displaced persons now live in urban areas – far from the land and agricultural lifestyle they know and love. They are disproportionately…

In 2016, threats and killings by paramilitary successor groups (paramilitary groups were officially disbanded in 2005) have increased. Human rights "defenders" whose activities threaten the status quo are prime targets. During the weekend that accompaniers…

By Tricia Lloyd-Sidle and Janet Lowrey Hildo, Norma and Matilde – leaders of a group of displaced persons – came to speak to us on a day we had a bomb drill (think fire drill).…

By Sue Cossey and Jeffrey Todd August 2016 Our first week in Urabá found us visiting Presbyterian clergy and congregations in Chigorodó, a city of 28,000 about 24 miles south of Apartadó, our home base.…

By Martin McKinney with Eddie Rosa-Fuentes The more time I've spent in countries like Colombia, the more it is clear to me that I arrive under the tent that someone else has built. To understand…

By Eddie Rosa-Fuentes The farmers told us that it was a regular day. They had waked up early to work, to do their regular stuff. But just like that, members of the paramilitary killed three…