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A cord of three strands Lozano: For the Colombia Mennonite Church, this experience has been very important because there are contributions that each one can make. Mission Network has brought a wealth of experience in mission, personnel and hiring workers. It is key to have a member that manages those issues. Central Plains comes with a wealth of church experience to offer, as well as a generous economic commitment. It was a new model for us in the Colombia Mennonite Church, and in terms of finances, infrastructure or support personnel, we weren’t sure we had much to offer. But one of our contributions has been human resources. We sent César Moya and Patricia Urueña initially and were particularly involved with the sending of Liliana Ocampo. We made a symbolic fi nancial contribution in her case and handled the necessary documents like visas. More than that, however, we have given spiritual oversight and vision from a Latin American perspective. It was a process of discovering that no one came to the table with empty hands, that each one had a richness to offer. Q: Has the partnership changed your ideas about how the church does mission? A: This model changed my concept of mission, and the church’s, in three ways. First, it showed us that, yes, it is possible to work with others and unite forces—that each one puts in his or her strength. Second, it impacted our understanding of mission. When we arrive at a new place, it is a sacred place. We do not arrive with the last word, because only God has the last word. Especially in working with indigenous communities, we cannot come with the idea that our way is the only way. Those we encounter enrich our spirituality and we in turn offer our understandings, such as our peace theology. Third, mission is done not by imposing a culture or way of conceiving faith. Rather, it is done through dialogue—dialogue about ways of knowing, culture, and mutual discovery. When we arrive to a new culture, we tie a new knot, integrating our experiences to build a better world. Q: How has the partnership enriched you personally? On one of the trips to accompany César and Patricia, I found that when one leaves their culture, it is at a high cost that you can’t put in terms of prices. Seeing them there, I realized that it requires a kind of call or vocation. This has been a key learning for me. The relationships with others in the moments of evaluation, with brothers and sisters from the United States, Ecuador and Colombia, also have been enriching. It comes through detecting the appreciation the partners have for the work being done for God’s kingdom and in seeing that they put all their heart into what they are participating in. It is also in understanding that the Colombia Mennonite Church has contributed with its church vision more than with people or finances. In the partnership, it is important to us to leave a community testimony, to multiply the vision we have as a community. In traditional mission work, missionaries come and start projects, and all too often, when those missionaries leave, the projects end. We want to be clear that, as a church, we are interested in seeing these projects multiply themselves through the creation of communities of faith. Q: What would you say to other North American churches who are considering a partnership with a church in another country? A: The model of partnership is very pertinent for our times because in partnership the national church is obliged to enter into the decision-making. It is a shared dynamic. For the churches in North America, it is a chance to contribute something based on their gifts and, at the same time, it empowers the national church. But the North American church is empowered as well because they don’t have to assume all the responsibility. It is a very attractive, timely model that I think we need more of in Latin America and Colombia. Latin America is no longer very open to traditional models of mission, which are increasingly viewed with caution and distrust. The extension of the kingdom in Latin America has to be in shared relationships. The current context and reality require partnership models of mission. For now, it seems like the way forward is through partnerships. Q: What has surprised you about the church, mission or yourself in this experience? A: I would say that there haven’t been surprises so much as learnings. One of those has come through the open dialogue with the partnership members. It has been gratifying to see the possibility of putting everything on the table, to speak and express ourselves openly and honestly. Q: What has been the greatest benefit for the church from this partnership? A: One of the greatest benefits has been envisioning new forms of relationship in mission. Also, inside the church, the partnership in Ecuador has sensitized and awoken interest in mission. Before, we weren’t as intentional about it. Since we began working with the partnership, there’s been more interest in studying mission and in talking about what it means to do mission. At least one other partnership has started as a result, not to do mission outside of Colombia, but within. We are currently looking at other possible areas where we might partner in mission with North American churches. Ecuador. In this issue: Features Additional Articles Viewpoints |
