Freshly painted message


Late yesterday afternoon Olwen and I strolled down the street for a coffee. We passed a young lady who’d just got off a long-distance bus with various bags. She called out to Olwen, “Señora”, and explained she was frightened she might be robbed, would Olwen mind staying until transport arrived? Now, I’m not convinced Olwen has the kind of face that frightens off armed men, but, whatever.

On the same day, Mark Wittig’s news from his sports ministry was the arrival of artificial grass and the murder of one of his enthusiastic youngsters. He had started to walk through an area he wasn’t known in.


Yet, cyclists go down the street singing away, people smile plenty and the children laugh. And I don’t go out without praying for protection. Many in the city have to pay for it: to the barrio gang.


On a wall near where we met the lady is a freshly painted message: “Revolution - Christ: Revolution in you!” And you could add, “And hope for Colombia”.


Photo: The only hope for Colombia

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