God at Work to Bring Healing

By Eve K., CCCC International Worker serving with Wycliffe

Illustrations & Comments on Grieving

From September 19th to 24th, we held the next level of Scripture based trauma healing training I’ve talked so much about. Three of the facilitators flew in just for this training. The facilitators were one of the authors of the books we use, her good friend and coworker, my good friend from graduate school and coworker, and myself
Over half of the participants were invited by new partners who speak the language Jesus spoke, and the majority language of the larger area.

The conference got off to a rough start … [because the material was] challenging for the translators. However, the participants were generously gracious and everyone stuck with us to the end.

Thankfully, someone “just happened” to know a translator who recently finished his doctorate in linguistics and “just happened” to be available for the remainder of the conference time! His translation work and input improved the conference incredibly.

A few participants were forcibly displaced from their homes within the past year. Others are leaders of their congregations. Others work for Non Governmental Organizations. Helping to facilitate this group was a humbling honor.

Throughout, I was amazed by the participants’ interest in and engagement with the materials, Scripture, and each other. Most of us in the training come from amazingly different backgrounds, many of which historically do not get along. We not only grew through friendly interaction but even joined together in singing in four different languages of very different styles.

Now, some of the participants (myself included) are hoping to facilitate more small groups focused on trauma healing. Until January, my main focus continues to be language learning. I am deeply thankful for continued growing friendships with the neighbor I mentioned and my other dear friends. Some conversations are increasingly challenging but I’m thankful for the ways I see God growing me.