Story number 1 for 9 Mar 2001

(Colombia)–Headlining today’s news, diplomats from 25 countries met leaders of Colombia’s main leftist guerrilla group in an effort to end a 37-year-old war. In 10-years the conflict has killed some 35-thousand civilians. That violence has caused difficulty for missions work. Latin America Mission’s Ken MacHarg reports. “LAM Missionary Elizabeth Sendek says that the violence affects any travel between cities by road. Meanwhile, churches from some of the guerrilla-held areas have picked up and moved their entire congregations to safer areas. Pastors are encouraged not to travel widely lest they be suspected of being involved in subversive activities. Missionary Nick Woodbury says that some pastors have been told to stop evangelizing in certain areas, and some new converts are questioned or harassed by the guerrillas. Elizabeth Sendek adds that, the increased danger and social instability make people more open to new options, including the gospel. For Mission Network News, I’m Ken MacHarg.”