Peter the Peacemaker
International Peacemaker from Nigeria visits the United States for the first time.
On a back deck surrounded by a serene mountain view, I learned more about Nigeria in an afternoon with Peter Michael Egwudah than in a lifetime of history classes.
On Friday, September 13, Peter spoke to us about his country and the 220 million people who live there. In 1960, Nigeria gained independence from Britain and endured a civil war from 1967-1970. The country's two major religions are Christianity and Islam. Christians are primarily located in the south of the country and Muslims mostly in the north. Despite being the seventh largest oil producing country in the world and having a successful presidential system established since 1979, Nigeria continues to struggle with poverty (63% of population), terrorism, kidnappings, erratic climate change, unemployment, food insecurity (32 million people), unschooled children (18.3 million), and displaced people (3.5 million).
As Program Director of CISCOPE, Civil Society Coalition for Poverty Eradication, Peter and fifteen staff members work primarily in the northern countries of Nigeria by providing food security, advocacy, cash grants to women, water sanitation, and community peace building techniques.
Over 40 years, International Peacemakers like Peter have come to the United States through the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Global leaders from partner denominations and organizations visit the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to interpret issues of peace and justice. This year, from September 13 through October 7, International Peacemakers will travel throughout the country for a week at a time meeting with groups and sharing about their work around the world.
From September 13 -19, Peter traveled from Virginia to West Virginia and gave presentations to seven churches, one presbytery, and a local rotary club. He spoke in sanctuaries and conference centers, around tables, and in living rooms about the good work God has done and continues to do through the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) called CISCOPE.
Prior to his visit, we learned that Peter desired to understand more about agriculture in America because one of the many programs of CISCOPE is helping women feed their families by raising livestock and harvesting their own food. During the week, Peter visited three farms and one orchard. He learned about Jack's elaborate farm productions and the beloved Willow Farm at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC). His eyes widened as he picked an apple from a tree for the first time, witnessed a grape tomato, and tasted this fruit called a blueberry.
Along with his desire to visit local farms, we learned about Peter's Catholic faith and arranged for him to attend mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Waynesboro, Virginia and meet Father Francis who is from Uganda. During the announcements, the church leaders welcomed Peter as an honored guest and spoke about his work with CISCOPE in Nigeria. He appreciated their gracious hospitality both in the service and at a local Italian restaurant.
The best conversations often happen in the car and I found this to be true with Peter as I drove him to church services, toured him around the small town of Waynesboro, and took him to the airport for his departure flight.
My husband Reed and I enjoyed sharing time with Peter on his first night in Virginia. After dinner at Heritage on Main Street, Reed gave him a private tour of South River Fly Shop, and we walked along the Greenway near the South River. We ended the night overlooking Waynesboro at Sunset Park and talking about our love of mountains in our perspective hometowns.
On the way home, we rode through the Twin Hills neighborhood and a doe with her two fawns leapt across the road in front of our car. Peter said "Wow!" Then, he inquired if there were any tigers around. "No tigers," Reed said, "but you might see a bear or two."
On Sunday morning, we enjoyed a breakfast with Virginian hosts Keith and Betsy Dishman before leaving for Peter’s first of three speaking engagements. Between church services, we traveled along the interstate where Peter spotted the Nigerian flag on a museum sign tucked high into the hillside. The green and white flag sparked fond memories of Nigeria and Peter spoke with great pride about his country's love of football (what we know as soccer) and the popular music called Afrobeats.
On his last day, I picked up Peter before dawn and we traveled to Charlottesville Albemarle Airport for his departure flight to Kansas. We talked about his family and how much he missed them. Often, Peter’s work takes him away from home for weeks or even months at a time. He reminisced about the birth of his youngest son and how he was away from home when Frances was born. As an infant, Frances preferred being held by his mother and at one point, thought Peter's brother was his father. This grieved Peter, so much so that he canceled all of his work trips and spent a month at home. It was good to hold Frances and spend time with his entire family.
In the near future, Peter hopes to lessen his time away from home in the south by letting his staff run the northern program. He said, "A good manager does not need to be physically present for good work to be done."
In the car, I gave Peter a scrapbook full of memories from his short stay in the Shenandoah Valley. He was touched by the pictures, bulletins, and children's artwork. As he turned the pages, he loved seeing all the people he met and the places he went. Also, he appreciated the empty pages ready for future pictures and documents from his upcoming visits across the nation.
After getting his boarding pass, Peter and I had time for one last picture and we snapped a selfie before he proceeded through airport security. We waved goodbye and I walked outside toward my car parked in the “No Parking – Loading Zone.” With the airport in the rearview mirror, I drove away listening to Afrobeats through my car’s speakers and wiping a tear from the side of my cheek.
I am grateful God allowed my path to cross with Peter Michael Egwudah, International Peacemaker from Nigeria, and I look forward to future connections in mission and ministry with Peter and his family.
Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, the Shenandoah Presbytery’s Peacemaking Grant, and everyone who made Peter’s visit so special. It was an honor to serve on Shenandoah Presbytery’s International Peacemaking Planning Team. Our prayers are with Peter as he serves in Kansas, Florida, and Chicago.
Learn more about how to host an International Peacemaker in your area at Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. Also, help to eradicate poverty in Africa by making a donation at the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
This day and always, may we “seek peace and pursue it." Psalm 34:14b (NRSV)
Thanks for sharing this experience, April. We were out of the area during this time, but truly appreciate your account of the importance of this visit. Tom