Tough Times: One Nicaraguan Christian’s Perspective

Gustavo Parajón is a pastor at First Baptist Church in Managua, Nicaragua, and an American Baptist missionary. He is also the founder of the Evangelical Committee for Aid and Development (CEPAD), which was formed as a result of a 1972 earthquake that virtually destroyed Managua. In 1987, Parajón was appointed as one of four members of a National Reconciliation Commission, in accordance with the Central American peace plan drafted by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias.

CEPAD and Parajón are frequently criticized by groups and individuals who are not optimistic about prospects for religious and political freedom under the country’s Sandinista government. These critics charge generally that CEPAD’s statements and activities tend toward legitimizing that government. CHRISTIANITY TODAY discussed these and other concerns with Parajón.

Previously the tremendous downslide in the Nicaraguan economy was widely blamed on the contra war. Now that the war has virtually ended, why has the economy not improved?

It is difficult to point to a single cause. Obviously the government has made many mistakes. Some of the policies aimed at centralization have hurt private investors. It is not feasible to invest when products are bought and sold at fixed prices.

There are other causes. The war destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure. The [1988] hurricane has hurt the economy. And there has been an exodus of qualified people, including technicians and professionals. The U.S. economic blockade has hurt, but ending the blockade is only part of the answer. We need the kind of aid that flowed into western Europe under the Marshall Plan to get back on our feet.

The war was also cited by some as justification for limitations on personal and political liberties. Critics charge that freedom has not increased with the lessening of conflict. Do you share these concerns?

There has been a definite change in the direction of greater political expression since the signing of the Arias peace accords. The Nicaraguan government has not fulfilled all the items of the peace plan. Neither have other Central American countries fulfilled the letter and the spirit of the accords. Everybody focuses on Nicaragua. But you have to look at this from a regional perspective.

Are you satisfied that Nicaragua is moving in a direction of allowing full personal and political freedom?

The Sandinista government can be open to dialogue and negotiations. But I am much more concerned about the tremendous social injustice throughout Central America.

U.S. policy has failed to improve democracy. After eight years of putting more than $2 million a day into El Salvador, enabling that government’s army to do what it wants, the situation is far from stable. The problems all over Latin America have to be understood in terms of the tremendous poverty and exploitation. That’s why there was a Nicaraguan revolution, and that’s why there are very difficult times in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Ideally, a goverment would strive both to end social injustice and to permit personal and political liberties. Do the Sandinistas hold those ideals?

I’m not certain. What I do know for sure is that the limbs of more than 2,500 Nicaraguans have been blown off by mines. And in the medical program I direct, eight of my co-workers have been murdered by the contras. I would say my co-workers’ human rights were grossly violated; their personal freedom was greatly encroached. I am interested that people be free to express their views. But I am more interested that the war come to a permanent end.

Perhaps freedom is not the ultimate objective for the church. But as a Christian, are you concerned that Nicaraguan believers will have to endure what the church endured in Cuba?

The premise of this question is that the Sandinista government is guilty. In my experience, Christians in Nicaragua are not concerned that we cannot preach, that we cannot carry on ministry. But even if it is true that the Sandinistas are repressive, why would Christians not apply the Scripture where the Lord says, “Love your enemies, and do good to those who hate you and persecute you”?

I find it very hard to understand how Christians in the U.S. who believe in the Almighty God and are endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit to carry out Christ’s mission would be so concerned about some supposed threat that they would allow their tax dollars to support violence that devastates so many people, many of them believers.

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