In 1980, an ecumenically-minded presbytery ordained me to a United Methodist program of solidarity and service in a South American context of repression and human rights violations. South America, as well as Central America and the Caribbean, has continued to be central to my ministry, especially during 19 years of service with PC(USA) world mission.
During November 2016, I will have the privilege of spending one month accompanying leaders of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia who take great risks in their human rights work and their support of displaced communities (armed conflict has forced more than 6 million Colombians to flee their homes). I will be one more in an amazing parade of persons who have responded to the Colombian church’s request for international accompaniers to provide a measure of safety—international eyes—for their work.
Peace talks between the FARC guerrillas and the Colombian government recently concluded, bringing a cautious hope to the Colombian people. Yet, there are numerous groups that oppose the peace process and continue to use violence to protect their interests. International attention is one way to deter violence.
Accompaniers are volunteers, supported logistically by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and Presbyterian World Mission – and financially by the generosity of friends, family and faith communities. I am raising funds to cover travel costs to and within Colombia, as well as living expenses while there. Thank you for your support!
Leaders in the Presbyterian Church of Colombia are taking great risks in their human rights work and their support of the communities of Colombians who have been displaced by the violence of the forty-year war in their country. They have asked us to act as international accompaniers in order to provide a measure of safety—international eyes—for their work.
The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship is working with PC(USA) World Mission and the Presbyterian Church of Colombia to train and deploy short-term mission workers to Colombia. To date (since 2004) we have trained over 150 volunteers, over 100 whom have served.
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Dean Lewis | 10/05/2016 | $50.00 | Sharon A Willy | 10/02/2016 | $100.00 | Don Summerfield | 10/01/2016 | $100.00 | Donald C. Pitts | 09/29/2016 | $60.00 | Jane A. Larsen Wigger | 09/29/2016 | $75.00 | Norman Currie | 09/28/2016 | $50.00 | Peter C Kemmerle | 09/28/2016 | $300.00 | Becky Wanberg | 09/28/2016 | $50.00 | Patricia Tull | 09/23/2016 | $200.00 | I admire your courage, Tricia! | Robert Abrams | 09/20/2016 | $50.00 | Ruth Brand Farrell | 09/20/2016 | $100.00 | Scott Brunger | 09/20/2016 | $200.00 | Mary L. Wright | 09/20/2016 | $35.00 | Marilie R. Blanchard | 09/07/2016 | $300.00 | Jerry L Van Marter | 09/04/2016 | $200.00 | Thank you for doing this, Tricia. | Anonymous Friend | 08/31/2016 | $200.00 | David Maxwell | 08/28/2016 | $300.00 |
| Total | $2,370.00 | ||