GUERILLAS

by Angela Crichton

At the time of writing, Colombia had been in a civil war for just on 50 years. It is a beautiful country with much to offer. But it is sad, because of a minority group, both the reputation of the country and the people have suffered greatly.

After having spent a number of years in Colombia’s capital, Bogota, working with YWAM’s street kids’ team, together with a friend (Enith), we offered to “spy” out the land for beginning a new work both in Medellin, and a town on the north west region, Montelibano.

Our first stop was supposed to be Colombia’s second largest city, Medellin, but something unexpected happened on the way.

The bus on which we were travelling came to a sudden stop. As we looked out the window, we saw armed men dressed in soldier’s uniforms. Their footwear revealed their identity: FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). Gumboots are used instead of the normal army boot. I had often heard of kidnappings, extortions and killings, but this was getting a bit close to home!

Enith, who is of a darker complexion, turned pale, not for her sake, but for mine, a foreigner. Enith, a rural nurse, had been kidnapped by the FARC on various occasions to attend to the wounded in their bush camps. She was well aware of what these people were capable of. One of the rebel soldiers, armed with an AK-47 machine gun, came on to the bus to order us all off. I was busy stuffing my money and ID into my shoe and praying fervently at the same time. The first miracle occurred when women were not required to show ID, therefore not revealing my identity as a foreigner. (The obvious danger is that foreigners are kidnapped and held hostage for ransom).

Shots were fired in the air as we were herded up the road to join others where vehicles had also been stopped. A large articulated truck and trailer had purposely been jack-knifed across the highway to stop traffic in both directions. The goal of the FARC was twofold: Firstly to stock up on supplies through raiding and, secondly, to demonstrate their power among the people by instilling fear. It worked! 10

A couple of teenage girls were travelling on the bus with us. Once the shots were fired they became hysterical. One of them grabbed me and asked if we were going to be killed. I remember trying to calm her down, saying with a confidence I did not feel, “Everything will be alright.”

Another woman who had given birth only the day before was forced to run with us carrying her new born in her arms. We were all to be held together as one group.

It was at this point I became separated from the others. Some rebel soldiers wanted to instil yet even more fear by shooting the 26 tyres of the truck. The screams together with gunfire, bullet shells, smoke and exploding of the tyres paralysed me.

This wasn’t a movie; it was real life! At the time, I was unaware that a soldier had started to shoot the tyres from the opposite direction. A stray bullet would have meant the end. It was only when I heard Enith scream my name that reality set in. Believing that I would be either shot or kidnapped, I closed my eyes and prayed.

Taking deliberate steps towards Enith and the other people, a strong resolve welled up within: “I am too young to die; there’s so much more to do in this world serving You. Protect me Lord!” And He did!

Standing together on the road as a group, we looked up and saw behind the trees another 100 or so soldiers acting as reinforcements. The greatest fear was the presence of the Colombian Army. Should they arrive, a free for all fire-fight would be inevitable.

After what appeared to be an eternity, we were permitted to return to our vehicles. Again weapons were fired to confirm the order. Because of the blocked road, barbed wire fences were ripped off paddocks in desperation as vehicles found the quickest exit. It was then that reality hit, the majority of passengers bursting into tears, men included.

As the bus continued to its safe destination, behind us the articulated truck used for blocking the road, was set aflame by rebel soldiers as an act of defiance. (A few days later it was announced on the news that a British man travelling the same road was recognised as a foreigner, removed from the bus and shot dead on the side of the road).

That night, as shock set in after the day’s drama, Enith and I tied our ankles together as we tried to sleep. The last separation almost cost a life!

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you; when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned” (Isaiah 43:2).