Rebuilding Hope Among Refugees in Africa: Healing in the Gambella Refugee Camps
After 10 long years of administrative division, a new sound is rising from the Gambella Refugee Camps. It is not the sound of argument or debate, but the beautiful, joyful sound of the leaders of the Eastern Upper Nile and Nasir Presbyteries singing praises to God together.
We are overjoyed to share with you the community building and restorative work happening in the South Sudanese refugee camps in the Gambella region. In an area that is often overwhelmed by challenges and under resourced, there is a fledgling hope for healing.
The Miracle of Reunification
For more than a decade, leaders of the Eastern Upper Nile and Nasir Presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan have been divided. The two administrations built a figurative wall between them. They had given up on each other. But God never gave up on them.
Recently, through a trauma healing program funded by The Outreach Foundation, leaders of the two presbyteries were able to focus on the shared work of mending their broken hearts. Through lots of prayer, hard work, and guidance from the Lord, the leaders found forgiveness and the miracle of reconciliation. Now, God’s people are reunified as one presbytery, and with that unity comes much-needed stability and renewed hope within their refugee community.
Children’s Camp Grows Future Leaders
While the adults celebrated their renewed unity, the children from four of the six area refugee camps were able to safely travel and be together for a week-long program that nurtured their fledgling faith. The children had the opportunity to receive biblical training and life skills as well as participate in sports competitions and a workshop just for girls to build their confidence and physical health. The week also included four evenings of singing competitions where the children could showcase their talents. The adults who accompanied the children also received training as Sunday School teachers designed to equip the volunteers with new methods for storytelling, biblical instruction, and trauma-informed care for children. It was a wonderful week that gave the children the opportunity to grow, laugh and celebrate the gift of childhood. It’s because of generous gifts given through The Outreach Foundation that this recreation and renewal are possible for children experiencing life in a harsh land.
The Impact
These two programs, in addition to Bibles translated into the local Nuer language provided by donors to The Outreach Foundation, have brought hope and healing to a hurting people. Pt. John Jock Gatwech, the camp project coordinator for education and church building for the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan sent us this message of gratitude:
“I continue to be driven by the visible impact your support has on the adult learners and the children in these camps. The reunification of our leaders and the joy of our children proves that our labor is not in vain. Thank you for standing with us. Your support does more than fund programs; it creates a future for a community that many have forgotten.”
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation will continue to receive gifts for our partners with the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan to enhance the faith and lives of Christians in the Gambella refugee camps. Together we can rebuild hope among the refugees in Africa.
You may make a gift by sending a check to the address below with the partner name “Rebuilding Hope” in the memo or you can donate on the GIVE page of our website: www.theoutreachfoundation.org.
