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.