Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
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CHIAPAS, MEXICO - Members of "Las Abejas" from three communities returned home August 28 after almost 4 years of displacement because of paramilitary violence. Following are several stories CPTers have heard in the days after the return.

"I am happy now because I can cultivate my land," Pedro said as we walked up the hill toward his cornfield. Five years ago he built a new house, but only lived in it a few months before fleeing the violence. Pedro's father, however, died in the displacement camp of X'oyep.

On Sunday September 2, the whole church of Chuchtic met for the first time in four years. Many people had joined the church since seventeen families left in 1997, so this was a joining of the "new" and the "old" church. Agustin, one of the catachists who had been displaced, had a new and wonderful light in his eyes as he addressed the full church. During the four years of displacement this kind of spark and excitement was a lot harder to see. After the service a PEACE flag was raised along the road by the church.

There is still lots of work to be done however. Some houses have to be rebuilt, new families have to start from scratch building homes and kitchens. Lots of brush and grass has to be cleared. But the energy and light in people's eyes is plain to see. They are happy to be home at last!

Note: As of this writing the return has gone smoothly and there haven't been any incidents of violence. There is, however, still a lot of tension in some of the communities, where there hasn't been much interaction between the returnees and the others in the community.