The taxi driver started “Do you think persons who have been committing crimes all their lives can be reformed? People who join the Guerillas or the Paramilitaries: can they be helped?” “They go to the farmers with a gun and tell them, ‘Sell me your land for this price or you and your family will be dead.’ If such persons are put in jail, then as soon as they are out they are back doing the same crimes again. Do you think they can be straightened out? Shouldn’t they just be shot like the US army does in Iraq? What do you say to this?
“I am a Christian,” he said; “see this cross around my neck and on the dashboard.”
This is what the taxi driver continually said to me ¾ of the time in the over an hour trip with him. Photo: This is where the taxi picked me up. The traffic is fast and furious in Bogota with 8 million people.
I responded over and over: “It is very challenging to know how to deal with such a person. It’s really hard to handle such a situation.” I added, “Every person is a creation of God; I don’t think we should kill any one. I think w should pray and ask the Lord what to do in this situation. God may surprise us and show us a nonviolent way we have never thought of.”
“Do you think there is any hope for the peace talks in Havana? I don’t think so,” added the taxi driver.
Then for the last 15 minutes of the trip he listened as I shared; “Well, first it seems the 50 years that Colombia has spent trying to resolve the differences here in Colombia with a gun has not worked- that is for sure, just more deaths and suffering every day. After 50 years of war and so many different armed groups they are not going to come to a good agreement easily. It probably will take a long time. “I believe in the end peace is coming to the world and to Colombia, because it is what God wants.
Remember the Israelites were slaves in Egypt for 430 years before they were set free. Than 600,000 men with their families, over a million people crossed the red sea to freedom. We need to think of the long haul.
“Also we need to keep in mind it can happen quickly like to the surprise of all Colombians when President Santos, the former highest guy in the military said, ‘I am a military man; I know how awful war is. Colombians have suffered more than enough. It is time to end the war with the FARC.’ Which as you know led to the talks in Cuba. The talks are not perfect but it is the first of many steps to peace in Colombia. We need be praying for them.”
It felt like a very fruitful exchange. We really listened to each other. Thank you for your every prayer for peace.
Shalom, Jim
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