This edition of Courier is dedicated to the Anabaptist-Mennonite groups that live in the Latin American continent, which is the last place chronologically speaking, where this Christian faith family was established.
     The faces of Latin America are diverse, which leads to referring to the continent by different names. (See main article.)
     "Diversity manifests God's greatness and, far from being a weakness, it is a richness which shows respect for uniqueness," as expressed by Miguel Forero, from Colombia, at the 5th Latin American Anabaptist Consultation in Paraguay last February. Forero is the new Secretary for Latin America of the Mennonite Brethren Board of Missions and Services.
     The variety of backgrounds, cultures, experiences, cosmovisions and visions found in Latin America expresses real wealth. Our genealogical trees have received countless grafts which make us able to identify with and be thrilled by expressions which are traditionally aboriginal, African, Italian, Spanish, French, German, Slavonic, Armenian, Portuguese, Irish, Jewish, to name just a few. It should also make us capable of being less and less discriminating.
     This diversity which we share and which characterizes us, to a major or minor degree as the case may be, is perhaps one of the most valuable qualities of being Latin American, and it should be recognized, protected and cultivated. The Latin American Anabaptist-Mennonite churches of this continent try to keep in contact in order to better know each other, discover and affirm what each one has to offer the other and the rest of the world.
     It is especially necessary to take into account the pre-Columbian cultures that remain and the wisdom they have to share, forming a reciprocal relationship with the Anabaptist churches that were established in their midst. In this edition of Correo a missionary experience is shared of accompanying the aboriginal Christian communities in northern Argentina. We can also read about the visit of Central American aboriginal Anabaptist-Mennonite brothers to aboriginal churches in South America.
     Diversity also constitutes a challenge since it must be taken into account in evangelization, education, service and in any other activities.
     The Latin American Anabaptist theologians are proposing a contextualization of the gospel of Jesus Christ and of the Anabaptist vision that seems to find so much resonance with the churches in the continent. Entering the 21st century, the biblical and theological training centers are making plans for diversifying their biblical formation and theological reflection programs, taking into account the realities and needs of each place and people.
     Some churches, like those in Brazil, have begun to send their missionaries to other continents, while they still receive missionaries in their midst, although the expectations for what form this mission will take has changed.
     Latin America is aware of itself. An identity has been taking shape as time passes, that is the composite of many identities; an idiosyncrasy, a common sense of solidarity. However, the Anabaptist-Mennonite churches in Latin America are also becoming conscious of being part of a worldwide community. More and more often there are opportunities to meet and listen to each other. The world is no longer so large or so strange. That is the good part of globalization. The gifts that God has given through his grace to the church in each region are not to hoard, but to share so that we all can become one.