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Breaking Free from Trauma

December 16, 2014

“I was born in war, grew up in war, and got married in war. Yet this civil war was the worst I have ever experienced.”

These words from a participant at a Christian Reformed World Missions event represent those of many refugees from the civil war in South Sudan. The terror that began in December 2013 has cost thousands of lives and displaced many more from their homes.

To help with the trauma that these people have undergone, CRWM hosted a workshop in trauma counseling for refugees, church leaders, and community leaders this November in Kenya. For many of the refugees, this was the first time they felt at peace in 10 months.

“One participant said they were just happy to have a few days to sleep without hearing gunfire and wondering if someone you knew was just killed,” said Rev. Sheila Holmes, a facilitator in the trauma workshop.

Holmes and Rev. James Staton, both from Paterson, New Jersey, led the workshop along with Rev. Mwaya Wa Katavi, CRWM’s Eastern and Southern Africa regional leader. Together they heard many heartbreaking stories of trauma. Stories like Majuany’s.

After losing his home, Majuany found himself in a camp for internally displaced people (IDP camp). Like many of the people in this position, he was willing to do anything to escape the overcrowded, undersupplied conditions of these camps—even join in the fighting that cost him his own home.

Majuany was planning on joining the civil war until his cousin talked him out of doing so, telling him that he would likely be killed. Majuany signed up for the trauma counseling with a heavy heart, but he came out of the workshop with the realization that many others felt the same way.

“I chose to break free,” said Majuany. “I am not alone in this trauma. I now know that God is always caring for me. I now choose peace as my first option.”

The church and community leaders who took part in the workshop will share their new skills with others who could not attend the event.

“With the help of the Lord, I need to be one of those who will carry the flag of healing,” said Pastor Ceasar Oija, adding that he will put together a forum of local pastors to discuss trauma and healing.

Along with Pator Oija, other pastors have committed to bring healing by reaching out to youth, conducting a similar trauma workshop, and conducting a Bible study that focuses on healing.

Pray that the violence, mistreatment, and tribal warfare will end in South Sudan. Pray that the people living in IDPs will be able to return to their homes soon and will have adequate supplies while they live in these camps.