Accompanier Report #3

My colleague Kelsey wrote this beautiful accompanier report about the women we met in Currulao.


Women of strength and faith in Currulao.
From Urabá-based accompaniers Becca Weaver and Kelsey White, received 24th August, 2011.
"Mujeres de fuerza y fe: Presbyterian Women of Currulao"

We recently spent around five days in the large settlement of Currulao, widely recognized as the epicenter of displacement in Urabá. Although both of us had previously traveled in developing nations, Currulao presented something of a shock compared to our reasonably sheltered experience in El Tres. The poverty here seemed somehow more visible, the close-clustered houses more humbly constructed, the muddy roads more deeply rutted, the children and animals more apparently malnourished. Also clearly evident were the effects that violence and social instability have had on family structures here: most of the adult church members in Currulao are single, and many are widows or widowers due to violence or illness. Of those widowed, the vast majority are women and single heads of household who often struggle to survive and support their families, a pattern that repeats itself across Urabá.

As the days passed, we found ourselves astounded by the diverse yet unified experience of the women in Currulao. They are small business owners, teachers, students, artists, farmers, fiercely dedicated mothers and grandmothers. They are elders, deacons, worship leaders, fundraisers, tireless supporters of their church and community. With much respect to our brothers in the faith, in a country where "machismo" remains a daily reality, we felt a sense of sacred comfort in the company of these sisters. The sketches below offer snapshots of our time spent with four women in Currulao, who either shepherded us through busy days or welcomed us into their homes for visits.

• At the front of her house is a tienda stocking basic groceries and household items; in the backyard, pigs snort and chickens cluck in a small farming operation. "Noemí" is one church member who has proved that she has a keen sense for business. A mother of four sons who is now also raising a young niece, Noemí recounted her experiences using microloans from a local bank for women to build her two small businesses, including the backyard farm that raises funds to support church activities. She proudly sold us several items from her store, making sure that we chose the highest quality products!

• When "Marina" showed up with her children in tow, we immediately noticed the colorful outfit worn by her three-year-old daughter: hot pink crocheted overalls topped with a crocheted hat, electric blue and embellished with a flower. As we ooh'ed and aah'ed over the detailed work, she casually mentioned that she had made both pieces by hand. "It's easy," she shrugged, as she pulled skirts, hats, shawls, belts, and bags of all colors from a wardrobe in her bedroom, "I do it to pass the time." Despite her modesty, Marina's knitted and crocheted clothing is nothing short of artwork! As amateur knitters ourselves, we were in awe of her creativity and skill.

• A shelf overflowing with books was our first clue that "Dora" had been privileged in terms of education. A lifelong Presbyterian, she teaches at a local colegio, where she puts her "whole heart" into working with her students. Dora explains that she enjoys combining her love for natural science with her primary subject, Spanish, in order to teach her students practical lessons like caring for the environment. She applauded Becca for studying ministry and theology, saying she believes it necessary to hear a feminine perspective from the pulpit.

• In the face of the tragedy and horror that many Colombians have experienced, a sense of humor is both a blessing and a necessity. "Anabel," a deacon in the church, kept us in wonderful spirits, responding to everyday interactions and mishaps with a quirky and subversive wit. Anabel's life has not been without hardship: she has given birth to eleven children, three of whom have died, and she now lives as a widowed woman in a small house with her grown daughter and infant granddaughter. She remains firm in her faith, confident in the belief that God is leading her through life. In addition to her faith and her immense care for others, Anabel's indomitable sense of humor undoubtedly keeps her going.

Our prayers go with these and other "mujeres de fuerza y fe" whom we've met in Colombia, these women of strength and faith whose impact on our lives and our understanding will not soon be forgotten.