Father’s Day in Jordan

Father’s Day and I was in Amman, Jordan and what seemed like a world away from my own family who were in Nairobi, Kenya.  Since the problems in South Sudan which prevents us as a family to be there at the moment, I was given the privilege of coming alongside some of our Arabic language students in different parts of the world.  Six months into it and the family I was visiting is settling in.  They’ve also just welcomed a newborn, their first, into the world.  Just three weeks old, it’s a challenge balancing daily living, raising a child in a new culture and engaging in language study, but they are doing well.  It’s a reminder to me as of His preserving grace in the face of multiple transitions. 

As I think about the many transitions in our own lives as a family, these friends and their trust in God encourage me to keep doing the same.  The words of a well-known hymn always seem to come back to mind.

“Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, oh for grace to trust you more.”

Overlooking the Dead Sea in Jordan.

I certainly was missing being around my own family this first Father’s Day.  Claire had snuck in a SD card with a Father’s Day message/video that made my day.  Parenting has definitely been one of the most rewarding things that I’ve done so far, and I’ve only just begun.  Ahead are the days when we’ll be up with him all night as he will falls sick; and when we’ll send him for his first day of school; and figure out when to allow him a facebook account as well as everything that comes with growing up as a third culture child.  But, for now we’re simply enjoying his fascination with opening and closing curtain sheers whenever he’s near; his ability to focus on the lens of a camera pointed at him; and the way he “sings” throughout the day.  We can’t wait for you all to meet him.  He’s certainly added a dash of colour in our lives and we’re forever changed.

Trauma Healing Leading to Reconciliation

Different tribes reconciling.

Prayer as a large group.

In mid-June, a team of us facilitated trauma healing group leaders’ training within the Sudanese and South Sudanese communities so that they could go out and lead healing groups with those in need.  Probably the most memorable part of it was as people from different tribes held hands and confessed and apologized for the atrocities that may have been committed.  As people were led through the healing of the bitter pains and traumas in their lives, they were able to start the process of genuine reconciliation.  I’ve seen that only after having taken their pains to the cross, can people adopt a stance of forgiveness that is built upon Christ’s forgiving work in our lives.  It was powerful.

Trauma healing facilitators.

"I forgive those who killed my brother."

On a recent visit to a South Sudanese congregation in Nairobi, I was pleased to hear of the call for those to join a healing group.  The vision of healing and reconciliation continues to catch on.  May it lead to the healing of the nation so full of pain.

A recent visit to a South Sudanese congregation in Nairobi.

Cairo visit

With the team chaplain on a visit in Cairo

With the loss of security in South Sudan many of our friends who had started doing language study lost their home and set up a new home in Cairo, Egypt.  Miles from where they had originally set up, and again forced to move their home, theirs is a faith that continues to trust in God for their day to day future.

A recent trip was made with the team chaplain to encourage them to stay the course. When time and tiredness start to erode the call and motivation, we wanted to make sure that they were still grounded in Him.  What we found was a team that is striving to live out their authentic Christian lives wherever they are planted.  It was an encouragement to us as visitors in their homes.  It was fun to see friends in a different context than the one in which I’ve known them.  It’s a testament of their adaptive nature and their commitment to living in the grace that the Lord provides daily.

Moulding the Pain

Using clay to draw out the pain of trauma

Man with a broken arm and leg

South Sudanese in Nairobi attending the healing groups for the wounds of trauma  continue to pour our their pain.  We have all been learning how a wound of the heart is similar to a physical wound.  Both can be very painful and can cause additional harm if they are not treated.  Last week, the group was able to mould their pain using clay.  It was important to acknowledge the pain that is there so that the group could eventually bring it to the cross, an activity that carried great significance for many of them. 

A man tied in a boat and murdered

“We have read, last week, in Peter how we can bring our burdens to Him because He cares for us.”

Many are finding release for their pain through the cross.  They know that they don’t have to carry this burden and live with it forever.  Jesus said: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

As we transition from healing the wounds of trauma to forgiving and reconciling, participants are seeing how God may also be using their pain to mould and shape them.

But for now, in the midst of the many hurts, perhaps some are, at last, finding a place for their terrible pain.

When trauma overwhelms

Bringing healing to South Sudanese

On December 15th, 2013, following a government of South Sudan announcement of a foiled coup attempt, the country descended into what has arguably been the worst acts of violence that the country has seen.  On December 23, 2013, our team evacuated the country.  However, this pales to the incredible amount of suffering and personal loss the South Sudanese have faced.  This new form of violence has been targeting civilians of all ages and has been much more terrifying than the last civil war.  The trauma caused by these events are heavy wounds that the South Sudanese carry with them.  Most do not have an outlet for sharing their trauma stories and may not see that internal traumas of the spirit and soul can be just as debilitating as a physical trauma to the body. 

It has now been more than 3 months since the outset of fighting and there is still no end in sight.

In the midst of the hurt, a group serving in Kenya and South Sudan have joined together to collectively address the traumas our South Sudanese friends have undergone.  The goal: help Sudanese and South Sudanese who are in Kenya to deal with their wounds of trauma.  Many in Kenya continue to communicate with family and relatives who are still back home.  Often times their communication leaves them feeling utterly powerless as they continue to witness, from afar, the many atrocities that affect those who have remained.  It is these people that the team hopes to serve.

As we continue to wait for the Lord’s healing of the land, the team here has prepared to offer the balm of healing for those who are hurting in the midst of this conflict.  By working together, we hope to be truly responsive to these desperate times.