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.
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