Healing and Forgiveness in Malakal

 Malakal is a large city in the Upper Nile region of South Sudan, where the Presbyterian Church has had its base for the last one hundred years. We have been told that during the conflict in 2013 and 2016, Malakal changed hands at least five times as militia groups fought for control of the region. The city was destroyed, and most people fled their homes. One friend has described how he hid in the ceiling of his house during that time until he and his family fled to a refugee camp. The soldiers who occupied the area moved into his house, and he cannot return. Until now, nearly 35,000 live in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp near Malakal. Many of them have not stepped foot outside of the camp for years, afraid of being attacked by an opposing tribe.

A map of South Sudan that shoes Malakal in the northeast

When SSPEC leaders considered the best place for our reconciliation team to do a Healing Wounds Transforming Communities (HHTC) workshop, Malakal was a priority. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, our team was able to go to Malakal for the workshop. The workshop was done inside the IDP camp and included people from the Nuer and Shilluk tribes. There was a diverse group of men, women, and youth at the workshop, and three languages were used to make sure that everyone understood what was being taught. There is one united church inside the camp that worships in the Nuer language, comprised of members from seven different denominations. We are grateful for that tangible expression of unity, and glad that people from different backgrounds could all participate.

The facilitation team and the hosting pastors

William Tut is an experienced pastor, and was just trained a few months ago to facilitate this HHTC workshop. This was his first opportunity to serve as a facilitator in South Sudan. He reflected afterwards that he has realized that the church is the only thing that can really bring change in the country, and this workshop is a significant way of empowering the church in that role. The team found that many people have been significantly traumatized by the war that they lived through and by ongoing tensions and suffering. 

The Sunday worship service in Malakal

The day after the 'cross workshop' session where people are invited to take their pain to the cross, a few women shared that they felt physical healing and relief as well as emotional freedom. One woman said that she had gone to see doctors and had several tests done because she felt so much pain in her body, but they could not find any specific disease. Finally, during this workshop, she felt healed. We know that trauma affects us holistically, and often leads to physical pain or sickness. We praise God for this bringing holistic healing, and trust that their healing journey will continue.

The pastor confesses the wrongs done
against people living in the camp

The confession time during the Standing in the Gap session was also very meaningful. One pastor from the Shilluk tribe confessed on behalf of all who had committed atrocities towards those who live in the camp. People were moved by his humility and apology, and several were crying as they came to offer forgiveness. Another woman confessed the prejudice and fear she has had of the Anywaa people. When she was a child, her community experienced a conflict with the Anywaa people. After that, her family told her that Anywaa people would change into crocodiles or snakes at night in order to kill her people. She thought of Anywaa people only as killers. She said that now she has released those thoughts and can see Anwyaa as people like others. Omot, one of the facilitators and part of the Anwyaa people group, forgave her and thanked her for her confession.

A joyful celebration of the Holy Nation at the end of the workshop

We praise God for this opportunity to witness to God's love and power to heal after tragic pain. We pray that the healing journey continues in Malakal. Our team is doing another workshop this week in the city of Bor, and we welcome your prayers! 

The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. But I have come
that they might have life, and have it to the full.  John 10:10