Well last week was certainly a big one for our house with two big events in history taking place. First, our new president was inaugurated, and Sunday the Bolivian people voted for the new constitution. In both countries people are talking about change. I feel a little to cynical to believe in it until I see it, at least in the States, but in Bolivia it seems like change is possible. It is going to be hard and I wouldn't be surprised to see things get a little messy down here. Immediately after realizing they were defeated, the opposition offered to sit down and negotiate some reivisions to the constitution with the president. Of course, they are not exactly in that sort of a position right now, having been soundly defeated 3 times in the past 2 years now. The president of course refused, saying the only negotiating he would do was on how they are going to now apply the new constitution, which could dramatically change Bolivian society if implemented completely. However, the opposition has already said they have dug their trenches and are ready to fight it any way possible. In reality, with each of the two referendums we have witnessed here we have seen the country grow more and more divided. There really is no way to reconcile the two sides and the only way I can see this ending unfortunately is one side dominating the other instead of the two reaching an agreement. The rich opposition complains that the new constitution favors the poor to their disadvantage. However, we must ask who the old constitution favored too. Could this be a necesary change? The poor and indigenous people of Bolivia would say it has been a long time coming. But like I said I fear that we may see another case of the oppressed becoming the oppressor. Certainly from what I have seen and read in the new constitution I see nothing unfair or biased and I think the complaints of the rich are more just their crying over not getting their comfortable way any more.
What I do see is an opportunity for the Church in Bolivia to shine through. I have been saddened by the way the leadership of the Catholic church here has been whining about the loss of their privilaged position in the new constitution, where they are no longer the official state church and all religions are given equal freedom. They have even compaigned for the No vote with the slogan "Vote for God, Vote No." However other catholic churches that actually live and work with the people have had a different opinoin of the new constitution. The evangalical church as well is divided in half. It actually seems very similar to the state of the church in apartheid South Africa and I am interested to look more into that situation to see if perhaps our church can learn from it. How is it possible for the church to be so divided? Should we even bother aligning ourselves behind a certain candidate or political agenda? I don't think so. As the Church and Body of Christ we have a different agenda and we live pledging allegiace to a different King. Perhaps Evo Morales and Barak Obama have great plans for their countries, perhaps they will do great things, but we are not loyal to either. We are loyal to another kingdom. So that is why I think the Bolivian church has an opportunity that it must take hold of here. We can be a witness to the gospel and a testimony of love and unity to the rest of the country. We can show them that we are above all this bickering and conflict and that we know a better, higher way. Hopefully people will notice that and change will come to this country, and hopefully the Church in the United States can do the same.