BOGOTA, Colombia - A delegation of Mennonite World Conference representatives from four continents visited the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in Colombia July 7-11 as an expression of solidarity and prayerful concern for their Anabaptist sisters and brothers in this violence-ridden nation.

The leader of the delegation was Hugo Moreira, a pastor from Uruguay who serves on the MWC Executive Committee. The other members were Enock Shamapani from Zambia, Ambrocio Porcincula from the Philippines, and Juan Ballesteros from Switzerland.

The visit came just before the Global Anabaptist Mission Consultation (GAMCo) and the MWC General Council meetings in Guatemala City July 12-23. These meetings were originally scheduled to be held in Colombia, but the location was changed to Guatemala for security reasons.

There are three Anabaptist conventions in Colombia: the Mennonite Church of Colombia, the Mennonite Brethren Church and the Brethren in Christ Church. The MWC delegation made contact with all three groups. Several of the meetings were held jointly.

Both the hosting groups and the international delegation described the visit as a significant encounter.

Hugo Moreira, the leader of the delegation, said that several things were especially meaningful to him and the other members of the delegation. Having all three of the MWC-related conventions in Colombia meeting together and sharing their experiences as sisters and brothers in Christ was a highlight. Another inspiring experience for them was to hear how the churches are growing in spite of the rampant violence in Colombia. Moreira was hosted by a Mennonite Brethren pastor who started a new church three years ago. It already has approximately 70 members. He was asked to preach at this church.

The violence in Colombia is immense, said Moreira. He was impressed by the courage of the people who are under death threats, and there are many. "You have to go to Colombia to hear what's really going on in that country," said Moreira. He praised the work of Justapaz, an Anabaptist peace organization based in Colombia, and other church-related endeavors such as Mencoldes.

* Larry Kehler, MWC News Editor

The MWC delegation which visited the three Anabaptist conventions in Colombia July 7-11 met with the five representatives from Colombia who attended the GAMCo and MWC General Council meetings in Guatemala City July 12-24.
(Back row, left to right) The MWC delegation: Juan Balesteros, Switzerland; Bishop Enock Shamapani, Zambia; Hugo Moreira, Uruguay; and Ambrocio Porcincula, Philippines. (Front row, left to right) The five persons from Colombia: Islandes Losada Alvira, Diego Martinez Munoz, Ricardo Alexander Tovar Cogua, Ricardo Esquivia Ballestas, and Peter Stucky.