Forum for Reconciliation

Last week I was in Rwanda for a forum and training for facilitators of the Healing Hearts Transforming Nations workshop. It was so encouraging to hear from facilitators from Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan about how they are ministering to people despite many challenges and the creative ways they are conveying messages of God’s healing and reconciliation.

A group photo of all the participants and facilitators of the forum

Two of our facilitators from South Sudan were able to attend, and they were inspired by the chance to connect with people doing the same ministry in different contexts. A major focus for the week was to equip these facilitators to train other facilitators – so it was a training of trainers (TOT). Some of the facilitators have been conducting workshops for years, and others were just trained last year, so there was a wide range of skills and experience with the workshop. But that diversity provided opportunity to learn from each other as we practiced skills for teaching others. 

Meeting as a large group

Abdon (left) and Alex (center) came from South Sudan

One of the meaningful events in the week was doing the cross session of the workshop together. All of the people attended have led people through this central part of the workshop where we have the opportunity to identify pain or burdens in our heart and give them over to God. Several people shared afterwards how meaningful it was for them to have this opportunity provided for them and not be in the facilitator role. One pastor shared that he is often listening to others share their burdens, but feels there is no one to listen to him. So the time of sharing or pain in pairs and praying for each other was a great relief. 

Another highlight of the week was visiting “Unity Mountain”, a community where Rabagirana Ministries has come alongside the community in a holistic way to promote healing and reconciliation. We heard testimonies there from survivors of the genocide who felt marginalized and isolated but how God has brought transformation and change to their community as they found healing and were able to forgive.

A woman at Unity Mountain shares her testimony of surviving the genocide

The green in the fields and the rolling hills were also a refreshing sight! People in Rwanda were complaining about how hot the weather was, but those of us from Juba were enjoying the break from the extreme heat in South Sudan right now. Please pray for a break from the heat in Juba!

A view of the valley during an early morning walk in Rwanda

I am grateful for Rabagirana Ministries in Rwanda and all of their staff that worked hard to host this significant gathering and also is a great example in this ministry of healing and reconciliation. As we return to South Sudan, please pray for God to guide and enable us to share the message of God’s healing and forgiveness in more places. We look forward to seeing what God will do!