The November 15, 1982 issue ofThe Banner (of the Christian Reformed Church) contained an editorial “Open Letter to General Efrain Rios Montt, President of the Military Junta, Guatemala.” It sharply criticized the President because of the experience of two of our churches’ workers who fled the country for their safety. The December 22, 1982 Presbyterian Journal contained this report with the endorsement of its highly respected editor. This article suggests the need for caution as we try to understand what is happening-and pray for God’s people and gospel in that troubled part of the world. Editor
When I arrived here a year ago, it was in blind faith that things would calm down enough to justify my wife’s following and that we would be able to stay. Nobody imagined that in four months there would be a Christian head of state who would change the whole atmosphere. Ifyou hear any news about Guatemala that does not include some or all of the following facts, it is not worth your time:
– Before he was saved, this president was legally elected but illegally prevented from taking office.
– On March 23, the day of the coup, he was busy directing a Christian Day School and had to be called away by the army to take office.
– He set an example of self-discipline by accepting only a fraction of the stipulated presidential salary.
– He gave the guerrillas the month of June to surrender their arms in exchange for a full pardon and the privileges of citizenship.
– He established a State Council of elected representatives from all sectors of national life to share in the government.
– He appointed a well–known Christian businessman to direct the reconstruction of the areas devastated by the guerrilla war.
– He gives an accounting to the country every week through a personal presentation on national radio, TV and in the press.
Pray for this first Christian president in Central America, for all the forces of evil want him to fail so that he won’t set a favorable precedent.
He is asking for wisdom and I am asking for patience with a vicious world press that regularly uses terms like “seized power” and “dictator”—terms that obviously do not fit this true Christian gentleman who is trying to save his country.
The new openness in the country is reflected in our work and we have many new opportunities to teach and minister. I am in constant touch with Wycliffe and Central American Mission missionaries who work with the tribes where the guerrilla war is causing such misery. I can assure you that the negative news out of Guatemala is generated by enemies of the truth and friends of totalitarianism, either from the left or the right.
The U.S. Ambassador here is an honest man and has declared that the accusations you may have heard are untrue and that people should come and see for themselves. Unfortunately, many who have come to “see for themselves” were hoping for a victory by the extremists and they have returned to report exactly the opposite of what they saw.
I am willing to stand up to anyone and challenge him to prove that Rios Montt is not acting like a Christian gentleman trying to save his country.
Powlison, a PCA missionary is, to our certain knowledge, a reliable witness who has worked in several Latin American countries. We suggest that this letter be taken (not just mailed) to the editor of your daily paper. – Editor