We, at PBCI, are so happy that you are here with us during your birthday, Gerd!
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Gerd Bartel was the first person in Canada who listened to a dream of doing a church-based peacebuilding mission to the Philippines that would embrace the neighbor, even so-called enemies, with the love of God. A graduate research paper on peace and reconciliation became the initial conceptualization of Peacebuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI).
He and his wife, Regina Bartel, were the ones who welcomed Joji and me to Peace Mennonite Church who initiated this peacebuilding ministry in Mindanao.
We were also introduced by Gerd to Mennonite Church Canada. We eventually became their peacebuilding missionaries to the Philippines.
