In the DRC, the entire population are traumatized because of the war, political instability, lack of proper health care, poverty, ect. The region of Boga in South of Bunia town was repeatedly attacked by ADF-NALU from 2019. They killed innocent population mostly Christians, looted health facility and burnt houses. In TCHABI, they turned one of the local Church to be their toilet.
Therefore, Ushindi Ministry called a specialist of trauma healings, Mama FIDELIE to provide trauma healing training from August 22 to 26, 2023 in TCHABI. In total, 115 Church members from different Church denominations were healed through the seminar. The Church the seminar took place is the great Church in TCHABI. But during 3 years of instability, Church was closed. ADF-NALU turned it into their toilet. They defecated into the Church and where new believers are baptized. Sunday August 27,2023 during the trauma seminar, the team reopen the Church by organizing Sunday service. This is how GOD used Ushindi Ministry as Nehemia to rebuild its Church.
During the four days of training, participants went through following lessons:
Facilitation of trauma healing seminar in TCHABI
1. Created in a unique way. Through the lesson participants were reminded about their identity in Christ, knowing they are marvellous creatures, created in the image of God [ Psalms 139; 13 – 14]. Each participants got mirror and sticky note to see themselves as image of GOD and write positive statements about themselves and declare “I am born of God or I am a wonderful creature”.
2. Traumatism. Here participants defined the concept of trauma and heard some few traumatic stories like drama. The consequence of trauma: (Shame, Rejection, Despair, Fear, Anger, Sadness, Bitterness etc….).
3. What is Persecution. Here participants were reminded that persecution goes hand in hand with trauma, i.e., how persecution affects our faith in Christ. Through workshop participants identified stories of persecution in the Bible
4. Traumatism, Suffering and Stress. Facilitator demonstrated how trauma affects the whole body and brings many illnesses. Participants were reminded that when they go through suffering, they should know that God loves them. When they suffer, God suffers with them and will never abandon them. So, they need to trust him every time.
Facilitator used different methodology to heal participant: football games, mirror games, cultural dance, bible study in group, biblical reflection in group, question and answer, prayer and letters of lament to God.
The training was closed on Monday, August 27, 2023 in the presence of USHINDI MINISTRY team come from Bunia, Church and Community leaders of TCHABI. Each participant received Bible before returning.
USHINDI MINISTRY recognizes the effort of every individual, Churches and Christian organization (MAF DRC) who supported this initiative so that lives can be touched, Christians persecuted can be encouraged to afford the situation faithfully with perseverance.