International Peacemakers: Another Successful Year

View a photo album of the 2005 International Peacemakers Orientation in Louisville, Kentucky.

Fifteen International Peacemakers from fifteen countries were hosted by 60 presbyteries, one synod, two conferences and one Presbyterian school. Our sisters and brothers in Christ preached, taught Sunday School classes, taught classes at local educational institutions, gave newspaper and radio interviews, spoke at local forums, presbytery and synod meetings, addressed women's groups, peace groups, children's advocacy groups and much, much more.

Some interesting stats:

2005 International Peacemakers and Presbyterian Peacemaking Staff. Photo by Joe Williams.

• The Twin Cities Presbytery Mission Conference was again the biggest event, hosting seven International Peacemakers.
• This was the first year ever that a Puerto Rican presbytery has hosted International Peacemakers.
• The longest journey made by an International Peacemaker was a two-day, red-eye flight from Juneau, Alaska, to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The International Peacemakers returned to Louisville after the month of travel to debrief, and all were overwhelmingly positive about their experiences. Some of their observations were:

It was a wonderful experience to share with people in the different presbyteries, something that I much enjoyed and they treated me very warmly. I believe that I have been able to transcend the sterotypes that I had and now I can affirm confidently that the people of the United States are very different from the government in many aspects. People are amiable, affectionate, and hospitable.

— Mendelson Davila, Nicaragua

The PC(USA) International Peacemakers Program allowed me to view God's work through me. This experience added to my self-confidence, independence, trusting and enjoying the unknown, releasing me from fear and calculated steps. Unfolding the strength and love that God gave me, I graduated from the Peacemaking experience with a PhD in love and peace.

— Wafa Goussous, Jordan

Great, excellent, very rich experiences, learned a lot, broadened my knowledge. Very needed by Indonesia, especially, which is not well known by most of those I have met. Seems Indonesia is too far off American radar.

— Stien Djalil, Indonesia

It was a pleasant experience. However, the success of this program will depend on the participation of more people. We need peace but it can only come after being successful in drawing at least ten percent of the total population.

— Jose Chipenda, Angola

The program is an excellent one, for I think that through it, the PC(USA) can succeed in capturing the excitement and expectations of churches toward the unique contribution of building a culture of peace all over the world.

— Lawrence Tengu Nso, Cameroon