The trip to Colombia has been an unforgettable and eye-opening experience that I am still working to process. The huge contrast between our society and the living conditions that the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are forced to live in, after coming home, is difficult to comprehend. Coming back home, I often find myself struggling with the fact that I have so much. There are so many things that I take for granted: how much food I have, the ease of accessing running water, the accessibility to healthcare, the privilege of education. Through this trip, I have received an experience that has not only impacted my view on the world and society, but also on where I stand and what I want to do in life.
For the past couple of years, I have been growing and relearning where I stand in my faith and listening to the unfailing faith of the displaced communities has been so inspiring. When asked how their faith had been affected after being forcibly displaced by armed fighters, one community responded, “Nothing can separate us from God’s love. No matter what happens, it shouldn’t affect our faith. We are anchored in our faith and have to stay that way with everything that is going on.” In the midst of armed conflict and being forcibly pushed to leave their homes and lands, these communities have so much hope and faith. So many times, I have found myself questioning my faith during difficult times; however, the steadfast faith and love for God that these communities have is something I hope to develop in my own life.
The work that organizations such as Justapaz and Corsoc have been doing in Colombia is incredible. Justapaz has been working to advocate for full peace within territories of armed conflict, as well as to restructure their own organization to incorporate leadership members from the affected communities to work at the same table. Corsoc, on the other hand, accompanies the process of communities trying to gain rights to land, education and safety. The dedication and passion these organizations have for advocacy and aid brings so much hope, not only in displaced communities, but also in their work to create a better world.
As I am moving into my last year of college, the question of what is after graduation has become more relevant. I had started college committed to working towards a career in medicine, but the past two years have challenged me to consider that there may be something more. This trip to Colombia, visiting and listening to the stories of the displaced communities, has provided me with an insight that God may have other plans for me — that the work I want to do may not simply be confined within the walls of a hospital but rather on a larger scale, with communities in need.
I am forever grateful to have been given this opportunity to learn and listen to these stories, as well as for the people I traveled with. This trip with HELM has truly given me an experience to challenge my faith and to stand with the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Colombia.