Monday at the beach, which for Barranquilla is Carribean coast. Row or swim due north to arrive at the south tip of Cuba. A coconut oil massage after a swim, dinner with friends, a hammock represent tranquility and refreshment.
Arrival back at campus brings another reality into focus:
· Milton sent an email carrying the statement from a leader in the Baptist church of Colombia, announcing his departure from Colombia with his family. For more than a year he was aware that he was a military target; the State would not guarantee his safety despite many efforts with government agencies and the U.N. When his children were detained for questioning the family decided it was time to leave. He worked with World Vision and the Evangelical Council of Colombia Commission for Restoration and Peace (CEDECOL) He is a sociologist who works in conflict resolution, and with the displaced population.
· Semana, a Colombian type of Newsweek, brings a detailed report this week of the regrouping of paramilitary groups which disbanded 2+ years ago with much government support and acclaim of progress. One guerilla group (ELN) thought to be nearly extinct, has resurged.
· Medellín, a world-acclaimed city for its impressive transformation more than 10 years ago from domain of a drug cartel to an enjoyable place to live and visit, in 2009 is on track to have a murder rate double 2008 figures.
Accompaniment: Mamie, the last of 3 of us to get a massage, thought this woman who'd been working hard taking care of us needed to sit down and receive some care herself. The woman quickly agreed, shared drops from her bottle of oil and Mamie, an ordained minister, took action. Today the beach was very empty of people -making it delightful for our visit, but hard for an entrepeneur needing income.
