However, the negotiations with the right-wing paramilitary forces did produce an agreement that involved both disarmament and some reparation for damages caused. Originally developed as local response-groups for protection against the leftist guerrillas, in recent years these right-wing forces had coalesced into a veritable army, but one that too often resorted to extreme violence to enforce control over large areas of the country.  At the same time, many local paramilitary commanders had branched out into various illicit activities as a means of financing operations.

While overall the national economy showed a notable improvement in production levels, this did not necessarily translate into a reduction of unemployment or underemployment, or improvement in work-place conditions for most Colombians.  Colombian economy continues to show great disparity between social classes:  the rich continue to get richer and the poor remain poor, while the newly-emerged middle class tends to lose economic ground and slip back toward poverty.  Although there were numerous programs designed to improve living conditions for the economically less-favored, excessive bureaucratic processes and flagrant corruption kept many of these programs from reaching those most in need. 

Senda de SSenda de Libertad, the NCD project in the El Salado neighborhood of Medellín began the year with 32 members and showed remarkable growth, adding nine new members and consolidating its finances, although the much-needed hot lunch program there is presently threatened because of the current shortfall in financing.  This project serves in an area characterized by poverty and violence between local gangs fostered by both left and right-wing groups. In 2006 Senda de Libertad acquired a permanent installation with the help of a denominational Second Mile project.

El Rebaño (Caldas) registered negative growth in statistics for the yearbook, but this was a result of a review of membership with many long-term inactive names dropped.  Actual growth was over 10% and church finances were steady.  A evaluation period in early 2006  provided the Session with vision for evangelistic outreach and spiritual growth for members through the establishment of small groups for prayer and Bible study.

Amagá.  This preaching point continues to grow with the guidance and support of the El Rebaño church and under the leadership of probationer Alexander Castaño.  Although the Amagá group had only 12 members at the beginning of the year, an evangelistic outreach program was begun, resulting in eight new members baptized in 2006.

La Rosa. With support from presbytery the Fellowship benefitted from the pastoral leadership of Lic. Ricardo Castañeda and 2006 was a year marked by numerical growth in membership and attendance,  accompanied by an improvement in finances - this despite the fact that the congregation is located in an economically depressed area characterized by underemployment. 

The churches in the central coffee-growing sector of the presbytery reported similar situations.

Aguadas.  The Aguadas congregation, a re-development project under the guidance of the Manizales Church, continued to grow numerically and spiritually in 2006, accompanied by a modest improvement in finances.  Lic. Joaquin Orozco, pastor in Aguadas, notes plans to use the present local television program for more effective evangelistic outreach.

Pereira.   After a period of consolidation the Pereira church once again showed remarkable economic and membership growth. The church continued to grow spiritually, emphasizing  renewed congregational ties and a strengthened and informed faith that can stand firm in the face of challenges.  The Colegio Americano established by the Pereira Church continued to progress in its present installations.

Armenia.  The Armenia church continued its pattern of membership growth and showed an improvement in finances that, coupled with some designated donations, allowed the church to make significant investments in the installations of its NCD project in Quimbaya.  The church maintains its mission-oriented vision and in 2006 another member requested admission to the presbyterial list of probationers. Adversity was felt in 2006 when a last-minute decision by the local Board of Education prevented the Colegio Americano from establishing a rural campus for Middle School classes and ultimately resulted in a decision to postpone expansion to the Middle School level for some years and concentrate on existing Pre-school and Primary School levels.

Quimbaya.  The Quimbaya NCD project added eight baptized members to its list of 21, and continued to grow in leadership.  With the help of the Armenia church a large open area was enclosed, roofed and provided with flooring to serve as the new sanctuary with sufficient space for the growing congregation, and freeing the present worship area to serve as classrooms for the large number of children who attend the church.

Cartago. In 2006 the Cartago Church worshiped under a temporary roof in the church yard. and at year’s end the members began to carefully dismantle the present sanctuary and manse installations, affected by hidden damage from the 1999 earthquake and unstable sub-soil, prior to rebuilding.  Despite the problem with the installations , membership growth was significant and church finances consolidated, so that the congregation now faces the challenge of rebuilding its installations with optimism. 

La Virginia.  The Fellowship in La Virginia continued to show negative growth in membership and sluggish finances in 2006, despite the efforts of the Steering Committee working together with moderator Sarria and local probationers René Porras and Gloria Patricia Vélez.