International Peacemakers wrap up US visits

Group says it’s encouraged by interactions with congregations

by Rick Jones | Presbyterian News Service

The 2016 International Peacemakers reunite at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary with Coordinator Carl Horton to share their experiences while speaking across the U.S. this fall. (Photo by Rick Jones)

LOUISVILLE – The 2016 International Peacemakers are finishing up their visits to U.S. churches, colleges and communities. Seven of the speakers gathered this week at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary to debrief with staff. During its day-long gathering, the group shared their experiences, hopes and recommendations for future meetings.

“I received very positive responses from the congregations,” said the Rev. Rami Al Maqdasi, who has served in a number of capacities in Syria and Iraq. “The congregations thanked me for sharing with them and for enlightening them on things they never knew.”

Dianet De La Caridad Martinez Valdes of Cuba, agrees, “The people I spoke with say that now when they think of Cuba, it’s not just an isolated island, but a place where they have a friend.”

Veronica Muchiri of Kenya says the experiences at U.S. churches and gatherings have helped personalize the problems she and others face in their homelands.

“I found that people have a new perspective about peace and peacemaking. It used to be just a word to many people, but now they tell me they have life stories about grassroots work towards peace,” she said. “They’ve learned that even the church can have an influence.”

Dora Kanizsai-Nagy of Hungary says the past few weeks have been a renewal and revival for her. “It is amazing to experience the hospitality, love and compassion from those who hosted me. The audience was interested in learning and understanding the issues in my country. It was like a breath of fresh air.”

One of the most encouraging signs according to the group, has been the interest from young people in the work they do. The Rev. Luis Fernando Sanmiguel of Colombia spent one afternoon speaking to students at Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee.

“The students knew little about Colombia. The majority saw Colombia as a country with drug dealers, traffickers and guerilla warfare,” he said. “They knew little about the problems or the politics. However, they were intrigued by our conversations and wanted to know more about the country.”

Other peacemakers faced similar interactions with college campuses, church youth groups and high schools.

“I was very impressed by what the young people knew about Palestine,” said Areej Murad Masoud. “To see their critical thinking about what’s going on in my homeland gives me hope that the world could be in safe hands and that peace is not impossible.”

After her presentation, Masoud said she would spend time on campus talking with students informally, adding that she found there were a lot similarities and vision for a better world.

“While speaking at William Penn University I spoke to a group of 60 students and professors, asking numerous questions about women’s rights and the seriousness of poverty in Niger,” said Issaka Moussa. “Afterwards, I spent time with the university dean who was interested in learning how they could do something to help.”

All of the participants agreed that the International Peacemakers’ annual appearances are vital in connecting the church with the world.

“I think the church has the power and voice to have an impact in the world, to help people and bring peace in places that really need it,” said Al Maqdasi. “Pray, visit and support. These are three things the church can do to make real change.”

“I felt very proud to be a Presbyterian. I can walk into the churches of America and feel part of the worship and flow,” said Muchiri. “It gave me the realization of being together in unity. There may be some differences, but many things unite us. There’s so much we can do.”

Sanmiguel believes the Peacemaking program is vital for PC(USA) churches and that the relationships they’ve built should continue.

“I want to know what we will do to follow up on these visits,” he said. “What is going to be the end result? We have taken time to visit churches and we’d like for them to come see our realities and countries. We need to find a way to make this happen.”

“We have experienced churches with open doors and congregations that are going out into the world,” said Dianet. “Being the church is beyond the walls. I’m not only taking home the experiences here, but I’m taking home the prayers of my new friends and communities. Many of our churches will be more connected now and will continue looking for ways to keep in contact.”

Two of this year’s peacemakers received special honors while they were on the road. Muchiri and the Rev. Gladys Lariba of Ghana, received the 2016 Global Peacemaker Award from the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Wayne State University.

Since 1984, more than 220 international peacemakers from more than 57 countries have been hosted by Presbyterians.

—–

You may freely reuse and distribute this article in its entirety for non-commercial purposes in any medium. Please include author attribution, photography credits, and a link to the original article. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDeratives 4.0 International License.