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Chiapas, Mexico - On September 23, 2000 Matt Shaaf and I accompanied some Abejas ("The Bees" ) to the community from which they had been displaced. On this hike of almost two hours we heard the stories of the last days before they left in fear of paramilitary violence, and shared in a time of cautious anticipation for the future.

Lorenzo pointed out houses of neighbors and fellow Abejas that are abandoned and now falling down. We could imagine what this village, now deserted like a ghost town of the American West, may been like only three years ago -- kids running and playing, while women created beautiful Mayan patterns on the back weave.

Three years ago in October, over 150 families fled this community with only what they could carry on their backs. Leaving in the early evening, they were forced to spend the night in the cold and rain half way between home and their new place of refuge. Lorenzo's wife, Maruka, was pregnant at the time and stayed behind to give birth only a few days later with the help of a human rights worker accompanying them. The observer named the baby Victoria, for victory in the struggle.

This time walking the same trail, with our two Abeja friends we were going to prepare the area for a relocation of these families within the next few months. This new site, a 20 minute walk from their previous homes, will allow the Abeja to work their lands and begin the reconciliation process.

As the men cleared the land for their new plastic homes and dug out the mountain for latrines, women and children again played and drank pesol. One man, envisioning the future of the community, pointed out the field near the river that would be used for recreation.

As part of the international community we in Christian Peacemaker Teams need to believe in this future. Daunted by the task of continuing a presence in twelve communities, we pray that God can continue to use us to provide space and security for the indigenous in Chenalho of Chiapas. The next phase has begun and we must trust that God, the First Reconciler, can bring these torn communities together once again.

As for the Abejas, they are beginning their own accompaniment project. Asked if he is concerned about the relocation, and continued paramilitary violence, Sebastian replied that they will need to use caution working and walking these trails only in groups for many months to come.