This time of year, Uror county is dry and brown, with small scattered
trees. Cows have been taken some distance away from the towns to find grass and
water. The dry season is nearly over, so people are preparing their fields for when
the rains come. But there is pervasive fear and struggle for hope, because of
the fear of being attacked in rural areas. The people of Uror have suffered
numerous attacks in recent years by some from a neighboring tribe who
steal cattle, kidnap women and children, and sometimes kill people. Many have
been displaced in the attacks, even after they were recovering from the war and
devastation of 2013.
The central town of Yuai as we are landing on the airstrip
A bore-hole for getting water requires hours of waiting in line
A beautifully decorated tukul (house)
This is the community we stepped into last week to conduct a
Healing Hearts Transforming Nations workshop. I was glad that God provided a
good team of mature church leaders who have strong connections in Uror County
and real love and concern for people there. We were accompanied by Rev. John
Tut, who started the churches in Uror county but is now in Juba in his final
year of getting his degree at NTC.
Our team as we left Yuai.
A group of about 8 people walked for 3 hours from their
village to attend the workshop. Another group of about 6 people came from the
further village of Pieri, about a 5 hour walk away. And within Yuai, the
central town where we were based, we had participants from 6 different churches.
Participants in the workshop
A drama to demonstrate the unity within the Trinity
One of the highlights for me was the experience gained for 2
of our new facilitators. Rev. Michael Char was trained in 2022 as a facilitator,
but because he lived in a remote area he did not have a team to work with to
conduct workshops. This was a good opportunity for him to return to the area
where he was born and to get some practice in teaching. Rev. Yagub was just
trained last year and has helped to facilitate one workshop in Juba. They both worked
hard to master the content and the dramas and they were encouraged as they saw
people grasping these important truths about God’s love and power to heal our
hearts.
Michael and Yagub perform a drama about forgiveness
Nailing our pain to the cross
Knowing the deep loss and pain that participants had experienced, it was moving to see them nailing their papers to the cross, representing giving over that pain to God. We stood together in a circle and watched the papers burn, singing and praying our thanks to God for shouldering those burdens from us. The following morning, a few people shared that they had been able to sleep peacefully for the first time in years, or that their heart finally felt at peace. "My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him." I love seeing Psalm 62 come to life!
Blessing each group in the final celebration
As our team debriefed after the workshop, one person said that this workshop was like "pouring water on new plants". It was important for growth, but would require more water and time to truly see the change and the growth. Please pray for the people of Yuai, that God's Spirit continues to bring healing and peace.
Sunset over Yuai from the stream at the edge of town
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
