Rebuilding Hope in South Sudan - December 2021 Update
John Jock Gatwech, Education Coordinator for the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS), is assigned to the refugee camps in Ethiopia. John Jock recently wrote: “Today, the trauma healing group training is kicking off at Tierkidi camp in Palang parish.” This is one of the refugee camps in western Ethiopia, made up primarily of South Sudanese refugees that have escaped the civil war in their own country at great personal loss.
The training begins with a crucial question, pertinent to us all. “When we are suffering, what do we need to remember about God’s character?” Suffering can take all kinds of forms – war, rejection, poverty, job loss, illness, broken relationships. What do we need to remember about God’s character in our own circumstances? God’s character is described in the Shorter Catechism in this way: “God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.” Therefore, in Him, they (and we) can find all that is needed for life, healing, restoration, and peace!
Trauma healing training continues for about a week. The participants are led through a powerful Scripture-based curriculum that takes them from understanding that they are known and loved by God, through identifying their pain, to releasing it to Christ on the cross (literally taking it to the foot of a cross and leaving it there) – leading ultimately to forgiveness and healing.
Since October, three additional trainings have taken place in Kule, Nguenyiel, and Jewe Camps. Following these trainings, healing support groups evolve at congregational and community levels. The healing and reconciliation that take place through these group sessions are truly transformational and life-giving.
John Jock concludes with his thanks: “May God continue to bless The Outreach Foundation and the South Sudanese Presbyterian Americans who work tirelessly to support the PCOSS believers in camps, to rebuild hope in South Sudan. Stay blessed.”
Would you continue to pray with us for these precious brothers and sisters and to support these effective efforts to rebuild hope in South Sudan? Thank you.
Frank Dimmock
Africa Partnership Liaison
Read more about Rebuilding Hope in South Sudan HERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of Rebuilding Hope in South Sudan. All gifts of any size are welcomed to help address the needs requested by the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan including trauma healing training, early childhood education, Bibles, and emergency relief. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.