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2008-09-16 issue:

Common-law couples wed in Ecuador

Refugee couples fled their homes after guerrillas threatened assassinations.

by Mayeken Kehr

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Two couples—Fernando and Julia Rodriguez and Carla and Elias Garcia*—made a promise to God and each other on June 8. The Colombian refugees married at Iglesia Menonita in Quito, Ecuador, after 15 and 17 years of common-law marriage, respectively.

In back (left to right) Fernando and Julia Rodriguez*, Elias and Carla Garcia* with their children and friends. Photo provided.

“[The couples] know that to be committed to Christ should also lead to a commitment to each other as husband and wife,” writes César Moya and Patricia Urueña, co-pastors of Quito Mennonite Church.

Moya and Urueña facilitate Quito Mennonite’s refugee attention program that provides housing for families of Colombian refugees. Both the Rodriguez and Garcia families benefited from the refugee attention program.

Fernando and Julia Rodriguez, along with their children, moved from Cali, Colombia. In 2003, guerrilla threats forced Fernando to Ecuador. Two years later, Julia and the children joined him in Quito. Because of their African descent and Colombian nationality, the Rodriguez family also experienced discrimination. Quito Mennonite was a welcoming presence amid hardship. Despite the difficult situation, Julia involved herself in the church.

When Fernando completed his work as an assistant engineer, the Rodriguezes’ funds were soon depleted. They could not pay rent, and the children showed signs of malnutrition.

During a worship service, they shared their economic situation with Quito Mennonite. The church provided the Rodriguez family shelter in the refugee attention program house.

The couple chose to attend discipleship classes and receive believer’s baptism. This led them to desire marriage after 15 years of living together.

“[Living together] is something very common in Latin America, especially among the poorer people. … They realized that they should be an example for their children, providing a home established and blessed by God,” writes Moya and Urueña.

Fernando and Julia married in a civil ceremony on April 29 and in a religious ceremony on June 8.

Carla and Elias Garcia were the second couple married in the June 8 ceremony.

The Garcias moved to Ecuador from Cali 1½ years ago. One night in Cali, a group of guerrillas appeared and gave the family 24 hours to leave the country or suffer assassination. Carla and Elias left with their children for Ecuador that night, taking only the clothes on their backs.

In Ecuador, a fellow Colombian refugee invited them to a service at Quito Mennonite. They accepted and continue to attend consistently. Carla and Elias had lived together for 17 years, but  chose to become legally married.

The Garcias suffer discrimination because of their refugee status, so they will move to Argentina. However, the Garcias say they will miss Quito Mennonite.—Mayaken Kehr of Mennonite Mission Network

*Names have been changed

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