We hosted the Peace by Peace Retreat from July 28 through August 6. The retreat was delayed by four days after the Israeli group’s flight out of Israel was canceled, requiring them to find an alternate flight. Despite the unexpected delay, we were grateful to welcome a total of six Israeli veterans and six U.S. veterans, whose military service spanned from the First Gulf War to the October 7 attacks in Israel.
From the beginning of the retreat, the veterans connected quickly, sharing their experiences while learning from one another’s Israeli and American cultures. This created a unique and meaningful environment of friendship, understanding, and mutual respect. The central focus of the retreat was finding peace, with an important question guiding our time together: How does a veteran move from being a warfighter to becoming a peacemaker?
Throughout the retreat, the veterans explored ways to work through the stresses and traumas associated with their military experiences, discovered personal peace, and learned how they can become peacemakers within their families, communities, and surroundings.
One of the highlights was a bow-making workshop. Each veteran began with a piece of raw hickory and used glue and fiberglass to strengthen the wood before cutting, shaping, and sanding it into a functional bow. The workshop provided a powerful illustration of how we, too, are shaped by the pressures and stresses we experience. Just as a rough piece of wood can be carefully shaped into something beautiful and useful, the challenges we face can shape us in meaningful ways.
After completing their bows, the veterans participated in an archery lesson, followed by spirited, highly competitive shooting contests. The activity brought plenty of laughter, encouragement, and camaraderie to the group.
Throughout the week, the veterans also enjoyed rock climbing, rappelling, river tubing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. These shared experiences provided opportunities for challenge, relaxation, laughter, and deeper relationships. More importantly, each veteran experienced special and significant moments of healing during the retreat.
The friendships formed during Peace by Peace have continued well beyond the retreat. The participants are now staying connected across the globe through a lively WhatsApp group, continuing the relationships and encouragement that began at the retreat.
Peace by Peace was an incredible success – not only in providing meaningful opportunities for healing and restoration for the veterans, but also in building lasting bonds between American and Israeli participants. It was also a powerful opportunity to share the love of Christ and the good news of the gospel with those who are not followers of Christ. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to host this special retreat and to witness the healing, friendship, and hope that emerged from our time together.