‘Until
Tuesday 11th, the most important thing for me was the next match against Boca
Juniors.’
So one of Argentina’s soccer heroes, River Plate’s goalkeeper Angel
David Comizzo, Is reported to have said.
Normal life was put into a different perspective by the attack on New York’s World Trade Centre. The lives of those directly affected were suspended by grief; and perplexed Americans throughout the USA were asking, ‘Why would anyone want to attack America?’ We have all been jolted out of our own particular comfort zone into the real world — challenged to think about worlds different to our own, and big issues that usually we prefer not to have to think about. Simple labels like ‘terrorism’, though convenient, don’t seem enough. Think and pray.
The reaction in Latin America, like the rest of the world, was shock and disbelief. Some, like the Jewish community in Buenos Aires, were afraid they might be next. Countries like Peru and Colombia have suffered their own terrorism for years; and some have also borne the brunt of US intervention; others — Argentina and Chile — have seen how past military dictators’ war against terrorism brought about the unexplained disappearance of thousands of people. Were they all terrorists? Think and pray.
Mission in
a changed world
As we all struggle to find our own response, Misiones Mundiales, the national
network for world mission in Argentina, has produced a document to declare
their solidarity with those who have suffered, and provide their response.
‘We condemn without reserve the acts of terrorism of last week and any type
of violence. Human life is made and protected by God. We also share in the
deep pain of the relatives and friends of those who lost their lives. We declare
our solidarity with those who have suffered.’ ‘We declare that vengeance belongs
to God (Deut 32.35) and every attempt at vengeance leads to sin. The Bible
calls us not to avenge (Matt 5.39). We there-fore call the leaders of all
nations – including Muslim leaders – to reflect before using force. May they
act for peace and justice, not in vengeance and pride.’
To see the full
document as a webpage, click
here
To download
the document as a pdf file, click
here
- for those who use terrorism in an attempt to change society
- for dialogue between people in opposition, where none exists
- for economically insecure countries like Argentina, Ecuador and Bolivia for which a crisis in the world economy would be disastrous
‘The attacks occurred early in the morning, when people were still cleaning the building. Many of these jobs are done by immigrants. The official number of Ecuadorians missing in New York is 32. Many will not be recognised because they had false papers. Many were supporting families back in Ecuador. One assistant chef was sending $300 per month home, twice the average wage here. The family have lost their financial support and their son.’ Janeth Aitken, Latin Link Ecuador
And let’s wait on God’s timing so that he can restore all things.’
Daniel Bianchi, Head of Missions, Baptist Convention, Argentina
Great news from Yanakihua, southern Peru. Headteacher Rosemary Gibson writes, ‘A former pupil, Jenny Menéndez, helped us with the aid distribution on our last visit. Jenny is doing her service year there as a newly qualified dentist. As a result of the visit, she has been able to start children’s and young people's meetings on a Saturday, and a Bible study group during the week with seven so far attending. They include the Governor, who is an atheist, but said, 'Maybe you'll convince me', and the local school Head. All the others are also leaders in the town. Please pray the Lord will bless these new groups and from them a church might grow.’
Building for the future. After innumerable difficulties related to buying land in a shantytown, the Free Methodist Church Latin Link’s Gwen Griffin attends is just about to purchase two small plots in the São Remo shanty. The aim is to build a multi-purpose building to serve as a church for the already established home Bible study groups; an infant school for the children currently using the precarious community school room; and a community centre. Please pray for all involved in the planning.
Advance from France. Caroline Bruguière, a trained pharmacist from Nîmes flies to Peru for a one-year Stride placement. She will spend part of her time helping Dr John Jameson in the medical centre at Villa María (see Latinfile, Spring 2001). ‘It’s really great to have this first from France,’ says Latin Partners’ Ray Miller. ‘Caroline has already talked about Stride to other French contacts.’
diary
1 Senior Step Team leaves for Santo Domingo, Ecuador to work with a church on a building project and in community work. They will also visit the Orphaids project. Unusually this time two of the team members really are ‘senior’ as they’re in their 70s.
1-3 Latin Link Argentina annual team conference at Los Cocos, Córdoba. Please pray for safety in travel and the Lord’s guidance as decisions are made.
When Sylvia’s doctor referred her to Orphaids, his estimate was that she had barely a week to live. That was four months ago.
‘I met Sylvia and José Luis in hospital,’ says Latin Link’s Matt Hart. ‘Both were HIV positive and clearly at the Aids stage. Sylvia had just given birth prematurely. Since then both José Luis and the baby, who we looked after, have died.’
More ways to pray:
Prayer Guide, sent on request by post or email each month, is one of a number of Latin Link prayer resources:
- Latinfile is our regular publication, with news and stories from Latin America
- Members’ prayer letters – an insight into their work and country of service, as well as personal and family news – on request
- Prayer groups – join with others in praying for the work of Latin Link. Ask for your nearest group, or we can help you start your own
- Prayer cassettes, with recorded news and interviews, are produced bi-monthly to provide additional material for prayer groups
- Prayerline – call 020 7939 9018 any time, updated weekly
- 2001 Prayer Calendar features all current Latin Link members, with a brief description of their country, their team and their work. With pages dated 1 to 31 and prayer points for each day
For further details, please telephone or email us.
Their remaining sons Angel and Jonathan have come to live at Orphaids, which was set up by Matt’s parents, John and Brenda, to offer help in just this sort of situation.
Sylvia hasn’t long to live. Medicines that could ease her suffering are simply not available, and the antiviral drugs that could have extended her life with her children were prohibitively expensive. Sadly, an offer of free treatment for six months came too late, when she was already too ill to be able to start the treatment.
Yet there is hope. Since her arrival at Orphaids, Sylvia has come to a deep and moving faith in Christ. Although she had hardly any strength left in her body she never missed an opportunity to tell visitors how God changed her life.
Please pray for:
- houseparent Sonia, who looks after Angel and Jonathan, as well as another boy, Alfonso, and her own son, Edgar.
- Matt and Tricia Hart as they start a programme of Aids education and prevention in local schools; Matt hopes to form an inter-disciplinary team to work alongside him in the community and at Orphaids.
- the child psychologist already working with Orphaids children the completion of the clinic started by Step Teams
- John and Brenda Hart, who launch Orphaids as an officially registered charity in Ecuador on the 27th.
© Latin Link 2001
