Peace walk: A journey in faith

December 18, 2002

Contact: Laurie L. Oswald (316) 283-5100, E-mail:

Peace walk: A journey in faith
by Heidi Buller

PITTSBURGH, PA -- In a time when the United States government is focusing on war, one man is trying to encourage the opposite.

Peter Eash-Scott, pastoral intern of Pittsburgh Mennonite Church, recently spent two weeks walking an average of 15 miles a day to promote peace. He traveled from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., a total of 211 miles in rainy, cold weather.

"I am walking to Washington, D.C., because Christ calls us to be peacemakers," Eash-Scott said before he began his trek. "While the threat of war between the United States and Iraq was the initial impetus for walking, I am walking for peace everywhere; in Colombia, in Palestine, in Iraq, in Washington."

Eash-Scott, 25, left from Pittsburgh on Oct. 28, carrying the Mennonite Church USA flag emblazoned with a dove, olive branch and the words "Pray for Peace, Act for Peace." His walk lasted two weeks, ending on Nov. 10 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

The walk to Washington is Eash-Scott's message to promote alternatives to current international relations. His decision to walk began in early October after he heard a Jordanian woman talk about the difficulties of life near the border of Iraq. Eash-Scott thought about these problems and concluded war with Iraq would only make things worse.

"By walking, I hope to build awareness," Eash-Scott said. "I want to show Americans that there is another way. My walk here, eating Iraqi rations and carrying a peace flag was one of the toughest things I've ever done. And yet I am humbled and moved by how simple and easy my experience has been compared to so many of those who are working for peace in Pittsburgh, in D.C., in Colombia, in Palestine and in Iraq."

Along his peace trek, Eash-Scott encountered both difficulties and revelations. He tells stories of his second day of walking when it looked like all his plans were tumbling down around him. His feet had large blisters on them and it hurt to stand, let alone walk. "I was cold, could barely stand, and for the first time, I really contemplated packing it in," Eash-Scott said.

With the help of some well-timed advice from Rachel, his wife, Eash-Scott decided to keep walking. His wife convinced him that this walk was for a bigger ideal, which was focusing on the issue and the people he walked with or influenced.

Throughout that day, Eash-Scott encountered more letdowns; rain, a broken zipper on his raincoat and a water-fried cell phone. But through it all he felt focused, at peace and closer to God.

That afternoon, Eash-Scott felt the benefits of trusting God. "I was soaked and cold and tired and noticed a strange car parked in a turn-about along the side," he said. "Suddenly, a window rolled down and out popped a hand holding a cup of hot cocoa."

A mother and her daughter had seen Eash-Scott walking and drove to a convenience store to purchase something warm for him to drink. They wished him luck, thanked him for what he was doing and sent him on his way. Eash-Scott made his walking goal that day, walking 15 miles on the day scheduled for 14. It was a day that, during the morning, he thought he would go five miles.

But the hospitality didn't stop there. "Only once in two weeks was I taunted, heckled, or jeered," Eash-Scott said. "And the amount of support and warmth and hospitality I felt was amazing. People just saw a guy carrying a peace flag on the side of the road and offered me food and shelter and promised to pray for me and my safety through the rest of my travels."

Eash-Scott challenges the nation to represent these people, to do as they do. He asks for the government to be loving and caring toward other countries, not to instill intimidation, hatred and fear in the United States and abroad.

While Eash-Scott works on establishing a peace stance with the government, many are supporting him in the background.

"Everyone has been very affirming of Peter," said Jack Scott, Peter's father. "When people found out what he was doing, they were especially interested and concerned."

A total of 40 to 50 people accompanied Eash-Scott at different times throughout the walk, showing their stamp of approval that peace is the way to go. Between 20 and 30 of those supporters walked with Eash-Scott the final nine miles to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. He finished his walk with a speech at the memorial, thanking people for their support throughout the trek and calling for action from the government.

"President Bush has talked a lot about evil in the past year -- the evil doers and the axis of evil," Eash-Scott said. "From one Christian to another, I ask him to remember the biblical call for us to conquer evil with good, not with evil ... the evils of war are never an option."

Now able to sleep in his own bed at home, Eash-Scott reflects on his peaceful crusade. "It's about working in very tangible ways in this pain-filled world to bring about the love and grace of God," Eash-Scott said. "You have to be the servant of everyone. You have to recognize the pain, sadness and injustice and be willing to work on carrying your flag for peace." Photos available.