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#peacenews - | 06/21/2019

Focus: Sri Lanka - Leading through chaos the Jesus way

 
Why has this tiny nation seen so much of blood spilt over the years? What is it that keeps bringing its people back to a climate of fear and hopelessness with regularity?
 
As scholars, pundits, journalists, historians and other well-meaning folk wrap their heads around identifying root causes in explaining this conundrum, how should the Christian message of hope, love and forgiveness speak into this in all of the confusion?
 
Christians, especially those who practice and follow the way of Christ, have at their disposal one of the most potent and powerful antidotes to break the cycle of violence and put themselves and others on the path to healing: Forgiveness; the kind the Jesus taught and modeled.
 
Read the full article and the  response of the World Evangelical Alliance: WEA Expresses Concern Over Attacks on Muslims in Sri Lanka, Calls for Prayers

How can the biblical call to be reconciling agents of transformation be implemented?

 
To the Corinthian church, Paul writes that God has established in Christ the word of reconciliation, and thus it has become an ambassador of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5: 19-20). Nowhere else can people so clearly and effectively experience reconciliation with God, themselves, and their neighbour, as in the church of Jesus. So far the biblical truth.
The practice is quite different. Rarely, almost never, churches in the world are perceived as centres of reconciliation. A state that caused the birth of the network for peace and reconciliation. Our main concern is to equip local church communities for their missionary ministry on the ground. And where this succeeds, growth quickly sets in internally and externally. In this letter, we focus on community-centred reconciliation work.

Yours,



Johannes Reimer,
Global Director

Recent News from the Network

Teaching

Europe and Central Asia

Peace work in context - CMC - a concept makes the rounds

 
Since the beginning of the year, PRN is implementing the concept of the church as community mediation centre (CMC) in several countries of Western and Eastern Europe. The idea is to make the local community aware of its role as an agent of reconciliation on the ground and to take steps with it to be perceived locally as such. In doing so, PRN supports the respective church community with advice. Specifically, we help the church to find its place in the community, discover its reconciling potential, understand local challenges, and implement concepts of reconciliation. For this purpose, PRN has created an extensive toolbox, which is made available to the respective community. Advisers in several European countries are at the side of the communities. The process of building the CMC takes up to a year.
Encouraging are the immediate outcomes, because people in and out of the church are experiencing reconciliation, finding their way to God, to themselves and each other. "One can see how God takes over in our place," says one of the participants.
 
Your church is also invited to participate in the CMC program. Connect with your regional office. Our staff will contact you immediately.
Arthur Rempel as head of the GMZ programme
 
In early 2019, the German pastor Arthur Rempel was appointed as the first director of the CMC program for Europe. He will coordinate both training at the PRN training centres and on-site training. Arthur is married to Luise. The couple has three grownup children. Pray for a good start period of and for the outstanding financial support for his work.
 
Financial need: 40,000 Euros
New material for the CMC programme
 
Two new booklets are in the final phase before their release: "Where Reconciliation is at Home - an Introduction to community-centred Reconciliation Work in Context" and "Peace Work as Evangelism". Both issues will soon be printed in German and are currently being translated into several languages.
The English, Ukrainian and Vietnamese edition of the training book 2 on peace work is currently being translated, produced and published in England and Vietnam, respectively, in the first half of the year. We are very grateful for this development. Pray for a successful printing.
 
Financial need: 10,000 Euros

Restoration

Africa

Kwibuka - Rwanda remembers

 
Rabagirana held a press conference with press representatives from across the country to mark the 25th anniversary of the Tutsi genocide in April. The state sees the commemoration period, commonly referred to as Kwibuka (the word in Kinyarwanda for remembrance), as an opportunity to pay homage to the victims and reflect on the transformational journey that Rwanda has been taking for a quarter of a century. Remember-Unite-Renew, this year's commemoration focussed on the legacy of strength, resilience, honour, and oneness that the new generation must uphold and advance to adapt to today's global challenges and future goals. (taken from the official commemoration webpage: http://kwibuka.rw/)
At the press conference, leader Joseph Nyamutera talked about what Rabagirana has been doing lately to make the church an agent for God's comfort. He called on the churches to investigate where Rwanda has arrived on the path of healing and to use the remembrance period as an opportunity to increase involvement in the work of healing and reconciliation. In their programme to prepare for the Day of Remembrance, senior church leaders were trained in their program in Kigali, and church practitioners were encouraged to hold meetings and rallies in churches and communities.
The goal is that the church takes on more responsibility to serving as light in the darkness of pain and trauma. This year's focus was on the perpetrators, whose reintegration into society is difficult, and the genocide-born youth, who also suffer from the social consequences of genocide. Likewise, a new album of healing and reconciliation songs of prisoners has been published.
(Joseph Nyamutera, edited by Manuel Böhm)
 
Read the annual report of Rabagirana.
Watch what Rabagirana is doing

School of Healing of Ethnic Wounds in Rwanda

From July 24 to August 09, 2019 the Center for Healing Ethnic Wounds in Kigali is conducting training in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. PRN has committed to sponsoring at least three participants in this training. Financial need: 9.000, - Euro.

For 2020 a date is set to conduct training in Kigali, Rwanda: 03 to 19 March 2020 - download the flyer online.

In the moment of death a child is born

On the occasion of the 25th commemoration, our friends from Iriba Shalom, Denise Uwimana-Reinhardt and Wolfgang Reinhard, have been in England to do 10 interviews in April and to present the new book by Denise. Now they have just returned from their tour through the USA. Through the book, they want to spread the message of healing and forgiveness worldwide, and when you buy the book through the association, part of the proceeds is intended for the widows and orphans in Rwanda.

Her story of how Denise gave birth to her son in the face of death and how they now fight for reconciliation in the CNN interview.

Europe and Central Asia

The reconciliation process between Armenians and Turks in progress

Our efforts to intensify the reconciliation process between the Armenians, Turks, and Azerbaijanis are clearly showing fruits. In recent months, there has been a series of intensive talks on both sides. Particularly gratifying is the intensive help we are currently receiving from North America. The entire process is headed by Vladimir Ubeivolc, Moldova. Please continue to pray for the work in the region.

School of Healing of Ethnic Wounds in Eastern Europe

From 03 to 19 March 2020 , the Center for Healing Ethnic Wounds in Kigali is conducting training in Kigali, Rwanda. PRN has committed to sponsoring participants  in this training. Financial need: 9.000, - Euro.
Go to the project site and download the flyer.

Construction of training centres in Central Asia

In March, the Central Asia Consultation took place in Izmir, Turkey, attended by over 400 delegates from all countries of Central Asia. Vladimir and Julia Ubeivolc, as well as Johannes Reimer, also attended the conference from PRN. PRN is already active with several training offerings in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. These centres will continue to train in Alma-Aty, Kazakhstan; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Tashkent, Uzbekistan and Dushanbe, Tajikistan to be expanded to hubs. Translation of training material in languages of the countries has begun. During the year several conferences and training weeks will be held in these countries.
 
Financial need: 17,000, - Euro

Animal-assisted trauma therapy in Ukraine is gaining shape

The PRN leader in Ukraine Oksana Gritzuita, Rivne reports that the Faculty of Psychology of the local university has signed the contract to train animal-assisted trauma therapists.
At the same time, through connecting efforts of our representative in Canada, Manuel Böhm, PRN sent specialists from Canada to the Ukraine to help setting up the programme. A more detailed report will follow in the next newsletter. Some expenses still need to be covered for the trip: 15,000, - Euro.
Soon, more will follow on our webpage.

Reconciliation process in the Caucasus

For two years, the Eastern European PRN has been working on a reconciliation work structure in Azerbaijan and Armenia. In May-June, meetings with leaders from different church backgrounds will take place in the region hosts to organise a reconciliation conference in Stepanokert. Nagorni Karabakh in the fall of 2019. Dr. Ubeivolc asks you to intercede for the continuous work.
 
Financial need: 2500, - Euro

Forum for Social Transformation in the Balkans

From 12-14 April 2019 the inaugural forum of Christian leaders in Sofia, Bulgaria took place to explore how Christian organisations and leaders can work together to promote and support social transformation initiatives that address challenges that Bulgarian society faces.
The event included plenary contributions from the main speakers (Chris Mould, founder and chairman of the Foundation for Social Change and Inclusion (FSCI), based in Bulgaria; Serghei Mihailov, director of Beginning of Life NGO, Moldova; and Annette Glaw, FSCI Balkans Coordinator and Academic tutor for Online Education, London School of Theology) around the topic of Social Transformation, sessions in which the participants presented their work, a substantial team building exercise with debriefing, as well as discussion and networking times.
Thank you very much for the opportunity for this conference. It was an amazing experience to get to know so many different Christian social organisations and it's very encouraging to see what's happening in Bulgaria and the Balkans. Together we can do more! Thanks for all the practical advices and sessions.” Vesela Chobanova

Latin America

BL4P is entering the third hot summer

Building Leaders for Peace (BL4P) brings together young people in areas of tension around the world to peace camps. In 2019, the focus will be on Colombia. Enable a young person from the conflict zone to participate and thus support images of peace. Also our network partner, the Theological Seminar Bienenberg in Switzerland, organises a tour to Colombia. If you would like to take part in one of the two tours, please contact us.

Assistance

Asia

Regional leadership appointed

In January, WEA appointed PRN Drs Nate and Christina Showalter, Hong Kong, as regional leaders of the growing Asian network. Pray for them and the members of their team. There is still a lack of structure and support, but the first projects have started and are a reason to thank.

North America

From Canada for peace in North America

In March, WEA PRN  appointed Phil Wagler as Director for North America. Phil is married to Jan, they have 6 children, and live in British Columbia, Canada.
Phil starts out as a part-time employee for PRN and is currently seeking employment in a community oriented church to root the ministry of reconciliation locally and secure family income until stable support for the office in North America has built up.

Initiative

Europe/North America

Change in the secretariat

As of June 2019, Jana Hoppe, PA of the director will be transferring to a task at the Training Hub in Toronto, Canada. Her role is will be taken over by Cornelia Reimer. The change also creates a financial need of around 20,000 Euro for the salary of the new PA. Please pray for a successful transition.

Networking

Africa

The director of the PRN region resigned

Combined with these special impressions, the enormous effort of the work becomes clear. For personal reasons, PRN Regional Director for Africa Joseph Nyamutera has stepped down from his position. Fortunately, the work of the Institute for Healing of Ethnic Wounds in Kigali is developing very, very well and we are thankful for Joseph's initial lead for the region. But typically, Africa lacks any financial support. Joseph has to pay particular attention to the work of the institute and its branches. Please pray for Joseph and that we find a new director for the region.
 
Financial need for the institute in Kigali: 45,000 Euro

Northeast Congo: group established for peace work

In March, a peace and reconciliation initiative conference was held in Goma, north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which led to the establishment of a work group of the country's Evangelical Alliance for peace work in the region. More than 50 representatives of different churches and agencies participated in the meeting. Plans include the establishment of a PRN training hub in Goma. There are still many obstacles to overcome. Above all, the workbooks and material has to be translated and published in French.
Financial need: 12.000, - Euro

Asia

PRN Sri Lanka is born
The Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka has officially decided to set up a national peace and reconciliation network. They will realize a fascinating project in the country under the title "Love Thy Neighbour - A Church Led Reconciliation". The leader of the network is Raghu, a young man who grew up in difficult circumstances and experienced in his own life what it can mean when God gifts reconciliation.
To support the work of PRN Sri Lanka, the PRN manuals on the nature of the church and peace work are translated and published in the two national languages of Tamil and Sinhala.  Financial need: 5000, - Euro

PRN Pakistan starts its work

At the beginning of May, the first Peace Conference took place in Pakistan. Sixteen Christian denominations and a number of ministries have joined PRN Pakistan.

Great openness and bottomless need for reconciliation and peace met our team during their visit to Pakistan in May. The approximately 6 million Christians in the country are a small minority in the Islamic republic. Isolated from many opportunities for participation in society and often divided among several denominations, many of them struggle for survival. The offer of systematic peace work was welcomed by most church and mission leaders. In the course of this year, a broad network will be set up in close cooperation with the National Evangelical Alliance, which also includes the Pakistan diaspora.
Further reports and projects that need support online.

Remaining need: translation of the training material in Urdu. Financial requirement: 6.000, - Euro.

PRN works as a ministry of faith. All our projects are carried by friends like you. In doing so, you can entrust us with your support and if you don't specify with a code, we then decide in which areas we use funds. Especially in the development of new works, such trusted means are important. You may support one of our projects or one of our workers. Please look at these projects on the website and donate specifically for the project of your choice. We are currently promoting funds for:
 

Africa

Asia

  • Training in Pakistan, #Code: WEA PRN Pak    
  • Translation of the training material in Urdu, #Code: WEA PRN Transl    
  • Establishment of PRN in Nepal and India, #Code: WEA PRN Asia    
  • Training Center in Vietnam, #Code: WEA PRN VN    
  • Support for our staff Drs. Nate and Christine Showalter in Hong Kong. #Code: WEA PRN Showalter

Europe

  • Support for our staff Arthur Rempel. #Code: WEA PRN Rempel
  • Support for the PA of the Global Director; #Code: WEA PRN ReimerC
  • PRN Ukraine - Offered for the Eastern Ukraine; #Code: WEA PRN Ukraine
  • Animal Assisted Trauma Therapy in Rivne, #Code: WEA PRN Ukraine
  • Construction of regional PRN headquarters in Kishinev, Moldova; #Code: WEA PRN EEU
  • Support for our employees Vladimir and Julia Ubeivolc; #Code: WEA PRN Ubeivolc

Latin America

  • Expanding the peace camps BL4P, #Code: WEA PRN BL4P

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