Theology in the Raw War Veteran Turned Peace Activist: Diana Oestreich
Nov 6, 2025
Diana Oestreich, a soldier-turned-peacemaker and author of 'Waging Peace,' shares her journey from combat medic in Iraq to advocating for nonviolence. She recounts a moral crisis faced during deployment and the transformative prayer that shaped her commitment to love and peace. Diana discusses the complex realities of military culture, the mixed reception from Iraqis, and her struggles with trauma upon returning home. Through her Waging Peace Project, she promotes grassroots peacebuilding, emphasizing that choosing peace is the most patriotic act.
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Convoy Briefing That Triggered A Moral Crisis
- Diana describes a briefing in Iraq where a sergeant said keep convoy trucks rolling even if a child is pushed in front of the vehicle.
- She felt a spiritual crisis and later heard God's voice telling her, "I love them," which resolved her choice not to kill.
A Clear Spiritual Answer In The Desert
- Alone on her cot, Diana prayed and heard a clear voice saying, "I love them, Diana," which removed her fear and affirmed she would not take a life.
- That experience reframed her allegiance to the kingdom of heaven and to nonviolence even if it cost her safety.
Meeting Om Hassan Changed Her Approach
- Diana walked into a village alone despite military training and was invited into Om Hassan's home where she was welcomed and hugged.
- That Muslim matriarch modeled sacrificial hospitality and taught Diana how to move toward, not away from, those she was told to fear.
