One of the simplest and clearest teachings of Jesus is how we are to go directly to people and have face-to-face encounters to forge reconciliation.  “…if you remember your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister…” (Matthew 5:23-24).  We know this is the right thing to do, but when we are in the midst of hot conflicts with our anger, our bitterness and our hurt pride stirred up, face-to-face encounters are the last thing we want to do -- unless it’s to tell that so-and-so off!

In June I had some incredible opportunities for some face-to-face encounters between groups who were at serious odds with each other.  Some of these folks had been fighting violently, waging war with each other.  Two encounters took place in contexts I can’t disclose yet.  That’s about all I can say.  I can’t tell you who, when or where beyond that, for creating a safe place for such encounters is a key part of enabling that first step to be taken.  In one case there had been years of conflict with no face-to-face meetings.  War was waged on the battlefield and in the press.  Now the enemies were sitting together in the same room, talking and even laughing together.

There can be something disarming about meeting the enemy in a safe place.  We may find our own selves reflected back in the face of the other.  For perhaps we have demonized the enemy out of our fear, our anger and our hurt.  But then we find someone much like us, with passions, hopes, hurts and fears.  We know we aren’t the terrible person they thought we are, but we discover that they aren’t the terrible person we had held in our minds.  True, terrible things had been done, sometimes many terrible things.  It can be astounding what awful havoc we can do in each other’s lives.  But we can find a common humanity in the face-to-face encounter.

Creating the safe place for that humanizing encounter required that we make the gatherings confidential.  No press would be allowed.  No attention in the media.  If the healing and reconciliation goes forward there will be plenty of time for statements and press releases.  The first steps need tender shelter if they are to be the beginning of a longer journey of making a genuine and lasting peace out of the rubble of war.

One encounter can be told, a type of encounter that is happening in many places.  The Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Lebanon held their fifth annual Middle East Conference.  I was one of the resource people for the conference.  Besides teaching about conflict transformation, I was invited to participate in two public Christian/Muslim dialog sessions.  Martin Accad, dean of ABTS and conference organizer, facilitated two events, one at ABTS and the other at a Shia study center in Beirut where we could have Christian and Muslim leaders speak about the teachings of our faiths that can help us move forward in building peaceful societies together.  I was delighted to speak directly to Muslims about the teachings of Jesus, who is also honored as a prophet in Islam, though his teachings such as the Sermon on the Mount aren’t widely known.  We got to hear Muslims explain their teaching in their own words, while we shared our Christian perspectives in our own words.  How often do Christians and Muslims wage conflict from pulpits, radio stations, and even in streets, but seldom sit down face-to-face and heart-to-heart?  ABTS is facilitating these direct encounters, openly acknowledging their mission heart and passion, but meeting face-to-face as humans and neighbors.

I appreciate so much the Mission Partnership Network of individuals and churches who have joined in support of my peacemaking mission.  Some of you directly participated in enabling one of the encounters, and I’ll share more directly with you.  If you want to be part of that network, receiving further communications or becoming a financial supporter, just let me know.  Besides these missionary journals, I also send out “trip notes” from some of my travels for those who would like to be more closely connected to this work.

If you would like to support my peacemaking mission financially, you can go to the “Give” page on the International Ministries website:

http://www.internationalministries.org/give

You will find my name on the pull-down menu under “Global Consultants.”  Again, thank you very much.

In Christ’s hope and peace,

Daniel Buttry