As stated in the book, "Eyes from the Outside: Christian Mission in Zones of Violent Conflict," our mission in zones of conflict is to assist those occupants in nonviolent means of protest, to fight measures of violence against them. A popular way of accomplishing this is through Protective Accompaniment, which is the placement of nonviolent teams of trained outsiders, into the designated zones of conflict. Backed by international groups, the main goal of these groups are to dispel the perception of impunity, often felt by those using violent actions against a populace. By letting those in power know, "the world is watching," (p. 154). it has been found that the risk of violence and displacement is substantially reduced.
The author recounts experiences mainly from Columbia, but includes other insight from time spent in Guatemala and Palestine. In Columbia, groups of subsistence farmers and miners were at risk of attack from paramilitary and government forces, due to their proximity to an important natural gas pipeline, and valuable mineral deposits. In Guatemala, a village was at risk of displacement and violence, because of the proximity to a Gold mine owned by a Canadian company. In Palestine, a small village on the West bank were under threat of physical violence and land seizure, by a nearby Jewish settlement. A clear example of what is asked of groups can be found; "International protective accompaniment is based in a spirituality of the Cross, where the accompanier takes on the poverty and vulnerability of the accompanied community," (p.190). This expectation is for members to take on the same attributes as Jesus did in his life on earth. Through this, our groups can display a pure and Christ like example to those chosen communities, regardless of religion or culture.
Nonjudgemental Narration is used to give a clear example of the conflicts effecting Columbia today and their origins.
