By Ali Moayedian

Ruah Swennerfelt and Louis Cox

Payvand.com -- A couple of weeks ago I read a short announcement in our local paper, Los Gatos Weekly Times, about a couple who were on a Walk For Peace mission and were scheduled to pass through Los Gatos on March 9.  I searched for more information on the internet and after a few minutes found out the following:

Ruah Swennerfelt and Louis Cox, a Vermont couple belonging to the Quakers faith, both in their 60s, were walking about 1400 miles for peace on earth: Starting their journey in Vancouver, British Columbia and ending it in San Diego, California (see www.peaceforearth.org).

How many times one gets a chance to meet people like Ruah and Louis?  Not many. So I made a pact with myself to go and meet them. 

The couple was being hosted at a potluck lunch, organized by Ivy Iverson, at the house of a local artist, Anne Lamborn, a member of the Voluntary Simplicity group. When I and my son Zaul arrived at the house, the Peace Couple had already arrived, via the Los Gatos Creek trail which was right next to the house. They were in the sunroom along with around a dozen other people standing in a circle. They welcomed us warmly and invited us to join the circle. We then went around the circle and introduced ourselves.

When the people got busy with lunch, it was a good opportunity for us to sit down and talk with the couple. I asked questions about their background, motives, worries, hardships, memories, and the planet earth's affairs.  What I picked up was message of friendship, love and peace. What I heard was words of wisdom, tolerance and kindness. And what I saw was two humble and caring people willing to go out of their way to make this planet a better place for all of us.

I shared my worries with them about another deadly war initiated by U.S., this time against my home country Iran and thanked them for their efforts. In response, Louis had some harsh words for Bush and the other warmongers. Also, both he and Ruah were aware that American religious delegations had visited Iran (US Religious delegation going to Iran to talk peace & Iran's Ahmadinejad meets US religious delegation), and they expressed hope that someday they can also pay a visit there for the sake of peace.

For a couple who had already traveled about 900 miles in the past four months, mostly on foot, I found Ruah and Louis very energetic and upbeat! That's certainly what they need to finish the remaining 400 miles to reach their destination San Diego.

Ruah and Louis do most of their walking by themselves. They are supported along their route by the network of Quakers and other supporters, and they sometimes join them for parts of the walk. Generally they were happy with the reception they had received from friends and strangers along the way. Many had come to them to thank them and wish them success.

I asked Ruah what was their plans when they reach San Diego. She said "Party!"  And party they deserve!

Louis commented that it would be nice to be greeted by the mayor of San Diego and be handed the key to the city. While he clearly knew this was a wishful thinking, I certainly hope the mayor will actually do this, a nice gesture and a good ending to a journey for good and peace.

Ruah, Louis, and my son Zaul

At the end of our meeting, I asked our Peace Couple to summarize their goal and message in one sentence:

"Walking to talk about connection of peace, justice and care for the earth. In other words, there will be no peace without a healthy planet."

Wishing Ruah and Louis a safe journey to San Diego and beyond…

Reference:

• Peace for Earth

• The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)

• Quaker Earthcare Witness

• Quaker couple treks through Napa on peace mission
  Making their way across the West, over the past six months Ruah Swennerfelt and Louis Cox have slept on the floors and futons of friends and strangers, a Murphy bed and a fold-out couch, in hotels, trailers and a tent. – Napa Valley Register

... Payvand News - 03/27/08 ...