Benjamín and Ruth Curin write asking for our prayer for the Araucanía region where they live.
In this month of March, the presidential change of command took place and we have a new government. A younger and politically leftist government. (Which brings back a lot of memories of President Salvador Allende).
This generates hope in the most vulnerable sectors due to their campaign promises and announcements have been made to resume talks and seek political solutions to the conflict between the Mapuche people and the Chilean state that has lasted a little over a century.
Some Mapuche communities here in the south have escalated in violence seeking the return of the lands expropriated by the government in power, and for a “Mapuche state” to return, as before the occupation of the territory, a campaign called Pacification of Araucanía in 1861.
Last week, the vice president visited the territory and was attacked by a Mapuche community and shot back, which does not help dialogue at all and only generates more fear and estrangement in the search for a solution for the people of the region.
It should be remembered that not only Mapuches live in the sector and many people are frightened by the violence that some Mapuche groups are using. In some parts it is impossible to enter through highways or rural roads because you must have permission from the head of the community, which is against the constitution of the state that allows free transit of any person through Chilean territory.
We want to ask you to join us in prayer For:
- Security for people living throughout the conflict area. Mapuches and non-Mapuches, policemen and civilians who live and work in the Malleco sector. Several Mapuches and policemen have already died in clashes and also people who only pass through the sector and have nothing to do with the problem.
- Pray that the gospel reaches communities in conflict. The Mapuches have their own religiosity, they are animist – pachamamicos, and Christianity for them is a symbol of the oppression of the state, so it is very difficult to reach certain sectors with the gospel of Christ.
- Pray for wisdom for our government, so that it leads our country to live in peace.
We thank you for your constant concern and prayer for Chile and for us.