The following reflection (used with permission) was written by Adaía Bernal, one of two Colombian CPTers (Christian Peacemaker Team Members) -- after a tense experience in July 2004 while traveling across the expanse of the Opón Lake with helicopters circling and shooting overhead.

Standing before the empty tomb of today’s suffering, we, too, are called to experience the presence of the Risen Christ in ways that bring us hope.

To be truly in the valley of the shadow of death and, at the same time, trust in the protection of God -- what a sensation that produces in ones' life!

There we were in the middle of battles and bullets -- only three people in a motorized canoe on a wide open lake. My fear grew considerably. At times I felt so small, insignificant, defenseless, almost stupid.

At the same time Psalm 23 -- ''though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because you are with me...'' -- came alive in my mind. Even as my heart beat faster and my breathing almost stopped, the sensation of protection grew.

We were tiny as seen from the helicopter above us. Nevertheless, the greatness of the psalm made me feel large, protected, and incredibly special. That sense helped calm my fears and anxieties, and I felt the Word become very real and alive in my being.

Thousands of Colombians live with similar situations in different parts of the country every day. Despite all this, people still live on. Despite all this, people return to their homes. Despite all this, people trust in human goodness. And despite all this, people believe in a merciful, caring, humane, and just God that delivers protection and help in the moment of difficulty.

One might suppose that I, as a Colombian, would be used to all these wars, conflicts, deaths and threats -- that such experiences would no longer be a novelty. But I am not "used to it" and I don't want to "get used to" it. All these situations of death and pain are not normal for us as humans. I continue to believe that we are made for good and not for evil.