The following is an excerpt from an e-mail letter Jorge Arauz wrote recently from Ecuador, where he had traveled to facilitate AVP workshops.
The shadow of war is large, looming over the mountains, hanging in the air. The reports of the ongoing slaughter in Colombia are terrible, and death, intimidation and fear continue to extend their presence in Ecuador.
While praying for peace in a street last night, [I was approached by] a beggar, a woman, [who] talked to me for the whole hour or so that I was there. "Our people have to change," she said. "Otherwise we all are going to die." Like many in the US, many in Ecuador seem oblivious to the wars around and among us. Perhaps most in Ecuador are just too busy, too worried with simply surviving the onslaught of the rich of the world, grappling with the increasing poverty they are left with. Reading my sign, a quote from Matthew on those who hunger and thirst for justice, the woman commented: "I am hungry to go home." She was cold.
There is a shadow that seems even larger, more ominous, more tragic and painful than that of war: the obliviousness to Life, the obliviousness to what is true, to what is vitally important. People in Ecuador, in our material penury, seem to flock after the same superfluities, the same idols as people in the US. ... O, that we all would hunger to go to our true home!
My sorrow is great. I pray to God that I see the way to service. Friends, hold me in the Light! Hold the cause of peace and salvation in the Light!
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE
Independence Mall Vigil for PeacePlease join us at our weekly prayer vigils for peace in the world, held in front of the Liberty Bell on Market St. between 5th and 6th, every Sunday from 4 to 5 PM. For more information, contact cityquake@aol.com.
In our reports, participants share their experiences of the prayer vigils and explore beliefs related to their participation. Reports reflect the experience of each author and do not necessarily represent the beliefs or practice of all vigil participants. We welcome your responses, which are forwarded to the individual authors (when possible). We sometimes include part of a response in a future report, unless you ask us not to.
It is meaningful to us that you share in the vigils by reading these reports and in other ways, such as joining us in prayer.
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM