March 10, 2008

            Greetings from Leticia, Colombia!  On February 26^th we celebrated the start of our 2008 Missionary training school with 12 enthusiastic students from all over Colombia.  I (Jaime) had the privilege of teaching them for these first two weeks and have been impressed by their hunger for the Lord, teachable hearts, and commitment.   We also commissioned a staff team that will be traveling for at least the next month, visiting many of the riverommunities where we have been working to continue in the discipleship process.  I am so thankful for the staff here that work so hard even in the face of great challenges.

Head FARC Rebel Killed

    You have undoubtedly heard about the recent tension between Colombia and several of her neighboring countries.  I implore you to please keep this situation in your prayers.  Last weekend, the Colombia military crossed into Ecuadorian territory and killed several heads of the FARC, a guerilla force that for 50 years has continually attacked, kidnapped, and killed thousands of Colombians and escaped capture by fleeing beyond the borders of nearby sympathetic countries such as Ecuador and Venezuela.  In response, these two countries with strong communistic tendencies and ties broke relations with Colombia and started massive military buildup along their borders with Colombia.

     Killed in the attack was Raul Reyes, the head man of the FARC, and several other key FARC leaders, as well as, members of other well known terrorist groups from Mexico, Europe and the Middle East.  In the operative the Colombian military recovered several computers with much new information including proof that Chavez, the president of Venezuela, has supported the FARC with over 300 million dollars.  

            There is great anxiety in all of Colombia fueled by the constant threats and manipulative tactics of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.  Many fear a military confrontation from Venezuela and Ecuador.  They also fear that the Colombia rebel guerillas will use the situation to their advantage, perhaps attacking Venezuelan or Ecuadorian troops to provoke a war.   On Friday, in a meeting of Latin American leaders in the Dominican Republic, the leaders of the three countries involved shook hands and reached an accord that seems to have diffused the crises for now.  Colombia's president Uribe apologized and pledged to not to repeat the action.  Venezuelan president Chavez and Ecuadorian President Correa accepted the apology after verbally pummeling the Colombian leader.  No mention was made of removing the troops from the borders.

            While Leticia is not close to the border of Venezuela or Ecuador, the tension is just as great here, since the two countries that do share borders with Leticia, Brazil and Peru, are receiving great pressure from Hugo Chavez to condemn Colombia's action and break all commercial and diplomatic ties. 

       Thank you for holding these countries up in your prayers.

You are a blessing to us!

Jaime and Lori Useche