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May 8 marked the third anniversary of Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church (Lakeshore) becoming a Sanctuary Congregation – our renewed commitment to stand with the immigrant community as they face injustice and inhumanity by our government. We’ve lived out this ministry in a number of ways over the past three years and, as with everything, our work has taken a new direction and meaning in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

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El 8 de mayo marca el tercer aniversario de la Iglesia Bautista Lakeshore Avenue (Lakeshore) convirtiéndose en una Congregación Santuario: nuestro compromiso renovado de apoyar a la comunidad inmigrante mientras enfrentan la injusticia y la inhumanidad de nuestro gobierno. Hemos vivido este ministerio de varias maneras durante los últimos tres años y, como ha sido con todo, nuestro trabajo ha tomado una nueva dirección y significado en medio de la pandemia de coronavirus.

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BPFNASeptember 2, 2020Immigration, Immigrants, ICE, Partner Congregations, Border Justice, US Mexico border, Frontera, Detention

EL CORONAVIRUS Y EL PUEBLO WAYUÚ • THE CORONAVIRUS AND THE WAYUÚ PEOPLE

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The arrival of COVID-19 in La Guajira was a matter of time. It did so on March 25, the date on which the National Institute of Health made the first report of a positive case. In addition to the alarm generated by the spread of the disease in the Colombian territory, there was the fear of its arrival in one of the least prepared areas to face it and where one of the most vulnerable populations in the country lives: the Wayuú.

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La llegada de la COVID-19 a La Guajira era cuestión de tiempo. Lo hizo el pasado 25 de marzo, fecha en que el Instituto Nacional de Salud realizó el primer reporte de un caso positivo. A la alarma generada por la expansión de la enfermedad en el territorio colombiano, se sumaba el temor de su arribo a uno de los departamentos menos preparado para afrontarla y donde habita una de las poblaciones más vulnerables del país: los wayuú.

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BPFNAJune 19, 2020COVID-19, Peacemaking in the time of COVID-19, Coronavirus, Colombia, Venezuela, Indigenous

LOS PUEBLOS INDÍGENAS ANTE LA PANDEMIA DEL COVID-19, UN CASO DE COLOMBIA • INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE FACE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, A CASE FROM COLOMBIA

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The spread of COVID-19 has exposed and exacerbated an already critical reality for many Indigenous peoples: a situation of deep inequalities and discrimination, a condition of systemic vulnerability aggravated not only by the presence of the virus, but also by conflicts and associated violence to scarcity and extreme need for resources, especially drinking water and food.

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La propagación del COVID-19 ha exhibido y exacerbado una realidad ya crítica para muchos pueblos indígenas: una situación de profundas desigualdades y discriminación, una condición de vulnerabilidad sistémica agravada no sólo por la presencia del virus, sino también por los conflictos y la violencia asociada a la escasez y a la necesidad extrema de recursos, en especial agua potable y alimentos.

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BPFNAJune 19, 2020COVID-19, Peacemaking in the time of COVID-19, Coronavirus, Colombia, Indigenous, Staff

No Turning Back

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“Normal” is not our destination. This virus has irrevocably severed our future from our past. And what arrives is up to us.

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Solo en inglés.

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Doing Church During a Pandemic: An Interview with Gail Hill

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BPFNA-Bautistas por la Paz staff member Rubén David Bonilla Ramos interviews Rev. Gail Hill, president of the BPFNA-Bautistas por la Paz Board of Directors, about how church life has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Gail is pastor of Chico First Baptist Church in Chico, CA.

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Solo en inglés.

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Joint Statement on Racism in the U.S. • Declaración conjunta sobre el racismo en los Estados Unidos

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We have seen with dismay, pain and horror the destructive mark of racism on the soul of the U.S. Throughout our history, racism being the backbone of this nation’s development and unjust enrichment of many has become the choking source of Black communities and people of color affecting every aspect of our collective life. The coronavirus pandemic has exposed these racial inequities that hurt Black and brown communities by hindering their access to health but also their development, freedom, and pursuit of happiness. George Floyd’s words became prophetic for as a nation, we can’t breathe anymore.

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Hemos visto con consternación, dolor y horror la destructiva huella del racismo en el alma de los Estados Unidos. A lo largo de nuestra historia, el racismo ha sido la columna vertebral del desarrollo de esta nación y el enriquecimiento injusto de muchos. Hoy se ha convertido en la fuente asfixiante de comunidades negras y personas de color afectando cada aspecto de nuestra vida colectiva. La pandemia del coronavirus ha expuesto estas desigualdades raciales que perjudican a las comunidades negras y de color al obstaculizar su acceso a la salud; aprisionando su desarrollo, su libertad y la búsqueda de la felicidad. Las palabras de George Floyd se volvieron proféticas como nación, ya no podemos respirar.

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The Right Time • El Momento Adecuado

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There is no excuse for the murder of George Floyd and each one of the four police officers involved in his death must face justice. The rage and pain is so deep because the recurring assaults on Black people and people of color (POC) continuously unveil again and again that Black lives are not valued in these United States. Floyd’s murder enrages us all for the cruelty and the abuse of power shown. But this murder points – once again – to the deep-seated systemic racism in our society, to the ingrained prejudice in our hearts and to the unconcerned minds justifying hurting other human beings just because of the color of their skin. Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America – Bautistas por la paz (BPFNA-BPLP) denounces this murder and sides with peaceful demonstrations, expecting and demanding justice to be done.

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No hay excusa para el asesinato de George Floyd y cada uno de los cuatro policías involucrados en su muerte debe enfrentar la justicia. La rabia y el dolor son tan profundos porque los ataques recurrentes a las personas negras y de color (POC) revelan continuamente una y otra vez que las vidas negras no se valoran en estos Estados Unidos. El asesinato de Floyd nos enfurece a todos y todas por la crueldad y el abuso de poder que demuestra. Pero este asesinato apunta, una vez más, al racismo sistémico profundamente arraigado en nuestra sociedad, al prejuicio arraigado en nuestros corazones y a las mentes despreocupadas que justifican lastimar a otros seres humanos solo por el color de su piel. Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America - Bautistas por la Paz (BPFNA-BPLP) denuncia este asesinato y se une a las manifestaciones pacíficas, esperando y exigiendo que se haga justicia.

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Saddling Up Anyway

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Although our building is closed, the church as a helping people is still wide open. In this time, people are hungry and they are scared that they cannot feed their kids. Faith communities and faithful people have an opportunity to respond. And so, a local restaurant owner and an Imam have come together to “saddle up” and make sure everyone eats. My brother-friend, Imam Azhar Subedar, of the Islamic Association of Collin County Plano Masjid and Ram Mehta, the owner of In-Fretta Pizza and Pasta in Plano, saw the hunger in our communities and it scared them. Those on the edge of poverty are having to choose between paying rent or putting dinner on the table. These two friends, a Sikh and a Muslim, had the courage to remedy one of those choices. They decided that everyone eats. They decided to begin distributing thousands of free meals to anyone who needed it.

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Solo en inglés.

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Stories of solidarity in times of COVID-19 • Historias de solidaridad en tiempos del COVID-19

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As is often the case in a crisis, this coronavirus pandemic has revealed the true character of many people. Although there are many negative and discouraging stories, there are also countless inspiring stories that have emerged in the past few weeks of people doing what they can to help others, including neighbors and friends, as well as complete strangers. One of those inspiring stories occurred in the city where I live: Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

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Como suele ser el caso en una crisis, esta pandemia de coronavirus ha revelado el verdadero carácter de muchas personas. Aunque hay muchas historias negativas y desalentadoras, también hay innumerables historias inspiradoras que han surgido en las últimas semanas de personas que hacen lo que pueden para ayudar a otros, incluidos vecinos y amigos, así como a completos extraños. Una de esas historias inspiradoras ocurrió en la ciudad en donde vivo: Tampico, Tamaulipas, México.

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BPFNAMay 19, 2020Staff, Mexico, COVID-19, Peacemaking in the time of COVID-19, Coronavirus, Solidarity, Solidaridad

The God of the Unexpected • El Dios de lo Inesperado

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Hagar at the desert, Jacob fights an enemy, Rahab faces spies, David prays for his son, Job’s illness, Saul’s zealotry against Christians, Jesus’ cross. In the face of the unexpected anything can happen.

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Agar en el desierto, Jacob lucha contra un extraño, Rahab se enfrenta a espías, David agoniza en oraciones por su hijo, la enfermedad de Job, la mudez de Zacarías, el celo de Saúl contra los cristianos, la cruz de Jesús. Ante lo inesperado puede pasar cualquier cosa.

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Crónicas de supervivencia • Chronicles of Survival

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In Comitán you do not have to ask for fresh products to be delivered to your home. From time immemorial, "the basket makers" have come to your house offering you products (fruits, vegetables, flowers, seeds, legumes, sweet herbs), which they themselves cut or collect, hours before, in their orchards and cornfields. In times of the pandemic, the basket makers have had some difficulties because the departure times of public transport are further spaced and the number of passengers has been restricted in order to guarantee, as far as possible, a healthy distance. Some communities initially took very strict measures regarding people going in and out, but being unable to make it economically, they have to be lax about mobility bans.

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En Comitán no tienes que pedir que te lleven productos frescos a domicilio. Desde tiempos inmemoriales pasan a tu casa "las canasteras" ofreciéndote productos (frutas, verduras, flores, semillas, leguminosas, hierbas de olor), que ellas mismas cortan o recolectan, horas antes, en sus huertos y milpas. En tiempos de pandemia, las canasteras han tenido algunas dificultades porque se han espaciado los tiempos de salida del transporte público y se ha restringido el número de pasajeros para poder garantizar, en lo que cabe, la sana distancia. Algunas comunidades tomaron, al inicio, medidas muy estrictas respecto de la gente que sale y entra, pero al no poder ahogarse económicamente, tienen que ser laxas en las prohibiciones de movilidad.

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BPFNAMay 6, 2020COVID-19, Peacemaking in the time of COVID-19, Coronavirus, Staff, Mexico, Indigenous

Sierra Norte de Veracruz y La Huasteca • Sierra Norte de Veracruz and La Huasteca

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Amid constant bad news and terrifying figures from the Covid-19 pandemic, reasonably hopeful experiences emerge, where community organizing and food autonomy, amid deprivation and distance, keep away the spread of the virus. This is the case of the Nahua, Otomi and Tenek communities in the northern mountain range (Sierra) of Veracruz and the Huasteca, in an area where the states of Hidalgo and Puebla also meet.

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En medio de constantes malas noticias y cifras aterradoras por la pandemia del Covid 19, surgen experiencias razonablemente esperanzadoras, donde la organización comunitaria y la autonomía alimentaria, en medio de la privación y la distancia, mantienen a raya la propagación del virus. Es el caso de las comunidades nahuas, otomíes y tenek de la sierra norte de Veracruz y la Huasteca, en una zona donde también confluyen los estados de Hidalgo y Puebla.

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BPFNAMay 6, 2020COVID-19, Peacemaking in the time of COVID-19, Coronavirus, Staff, Mexico, Indigenous

Ser Comunidad Latina durante esta pandemia

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Only available in Spanish.

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Me encontraba en Puerto Rico, en una reunión del Consejo Directivo de BPFNA-Bautistas por la Paz, cuando nos enteramos que en EUA(Estados Unidos de América) y sus territorios comenzaba una cuarentena por el COVID-19. Muchas preguntas nos surgieron, como también comenzamos a recibir llamadas de familiares preocupados. Mi hijo, quien estaba en Indianápolis, Indiana, me envió fotos del viaje que hicieron al supermercado para comenzar la cuarentena, encontraron estantes vacíos, ningún vegetal, ninguna carne, ni pan.

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COVID-19: Respiro y Desafío para el Planeta • COVID-19: A Respite and Challenge for Planet Earth

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As the COVID-19 outbreak spreads throughout the world, governments of different countries have adopted measures of confinement and suspension of activities to prevent its spread. This has given us a look into nature long hidden by smoke and pollution. However, international experts and environmentalists have warned that this "respite" to the planet is only temporary. John Sauven, CEO of Greenpeace UK, stated that no health crisis or economic downturn or other type of disaster will give us a safer and more environmentally friendly world.

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A medida que el brote de COVID-19 fue avanzando por el mundo, los gobiernos de distintos países comenzaron a adoptar medidas de confinamiento y suspensión de actividades para evitar su propagación, mismas que nos regalaron postales de la naturaleza hace tiempo ocultas por el humo y la contaminación. Sin embargo, expertos internacionales y ambientalistas han advertido que este “respiro” al planeta es sólo temporal. John Sauven, director ejecutivo de Greenpeace Reino Unido, afirmó que ninguna crisis de salud ni recesión económica u otro tipo de desastre, nos va a regalar un mundo más seguro y respetuoso con el medio ambiente.

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Meditation: Walking with Jesus

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The following walking meditation is divided into sections correlated with each of the senses and punctuated by prayer. The pace and distance of the walk is negotiable. You may want to print out the reflection or have it to reference on your Smart Phone. Allow your walk, if you can, to be spontaneous and unfold at its own pace.

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Solo en ingles.

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Llamada de atención a la solidaridad de Rubén

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In Spanish only.

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Hola amigos/as. Varias cositas importantes.

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BPFNAApril 15, 2020Coronavirus, COVID-19, Peacemaking in the time of COVID-19, Staff

GOD AND COVID-19

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Christians have relied so frequently on the words “save” and “saved” that we regard God as a great rescuer who pulls us back from the abyss, the lifeguard who grabs us when the waves are too threatening. We feel sad, rejected and angry when bad stuff happens, especially widespread and long-lasting bad stuff like the corona virus, and we blame God for allowing it to go on. I believe that it is time – indeed, it is long past time – to give up this view of God.

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Solo en inglés.

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BPFNAApril 15, 2020Faith, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Peacemaking in the time of COVID-19, Peacemakers

An Important Announcement on the Status of Summer Conference 2020 • Un anuncio importante sobre el estado de la Conferencia de Verano 2020

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As you know, we began preparing for this year’s Summer Conference a few months ago, very eagerly because we know it symbolizes the core of our organization. It’s a space where we share, connect and reconnect, plan, learn, embrace, renew and bless each other. This year, however, in light of the spread of the pandemic we face, we will not meet in San Diego as planned.

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Como ustedes saben, comenzamos los preparativos para nuestra conferencia anual de verano desde hace varios meses, con mucho entusiasmo porque sabemos que representa el corazón de nuestra organización. Este es un espacio donde compartimos, nos conectarnos, nos reencontramos, construimos proyectos, aprendemos, nos abrazamos y bendecimos. Este año, sin embargo, en vista de la evolución de la pandemia que enfrentamos, no se reunirá en San Diego como habíamos pensado.

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BPFNAApril 6, 2020board, staff, Summer Conference, Conferencia de Verano, Peace Camp, COVID-19, Coronavirus

El COVID-19 en México: ¿Hay Razón para Temer? • COVID-19 in Mexico: Is There a Reason to Fear?

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What is God's response to fear? If the spirit of fear overcomes us, then we must trust and love God completely. Once we have learned to put our trust in God, we will not be afraid of things that come against us. We will be like the psalmist who confidently said: “…let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” (Psalm 5:11).

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¿Cuál es la respuesta de Dios al miedo? La respuesta está en Su Palabra. Si el espíritu de temor nos vence entonces necesitamos confiar y amar a Dios completamente. Una vez que hayamos aprendido a poner nuestra confianza en Dios, ya no tendremos temor de las cosas que vengan contra nosotros. Seremos como el salmista que con confianza dijo: “…alégrense todos los que en Ti confían. Den voces de júbilo para siempre, porque Tú los defiendes. En Ti se regocijen los que aman Tu nombre” (Salmo 5:11).

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BPFNAApril 6, 2020

Actually, We Can

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Growing up, there was a short phrase that almost always drew my mother’s rebuke: “I can’t!” Looking back, I imagine it frustrated her because she knew that, in most cases, it just wasn’t true. She knew that most of these tasks I was giving up on before I even began could actually be accomplished with a little focus and some practice. And she was right. That’s been my big discovery in the US federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic--we actually CAN! We CAN find trillions of dollars. We CAN take drastic, culture-shifting measures. We CAN give people access to health care, and eliminate copays. We CAN suspend interest on student loan payments. We actually can!

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Solo inglés.

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BPFNAApril 6, 2020COVID-19, Coronavirus, Economic Justice, Peacemaking in the time of COVID-19

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