March 3, 2008

Dear Friends,

Several months ago, the Reverend Orozu Lokine of the Presbyterian Church of Sudan (PCOS) invited RECONCILE to conduct a peacebuilding workshop in Gummuruk to address the serious inter-ethnic tensions between the Murle and Dinka peoples. About the same time, the Reverend Paul Hostetter, a retired missionary who served in the American Mission (RCA/UPCNA) project among the Murle asked us if RECONCILE might have a project for which his congregation could raise support. By the grace of God, a step of faith, and continued encouragement from Paul, the Fifth Reformed Church was able to raise the needed funds. Because of their step of faith some wonderful things happened in Gummuruk!

The team that went to Gummuruk was the Reverend John Okumu, Ama Annan, and Debbie Braaksma, accompanied by Rev. Orozu. Our welcome couldn’t have been warmer. We were escorted to the Presbyterian church, which, except for its thatched roof, was made entirely of mud—walls, pews, and even the pulpit. There we were treated like honoured guests: a special outhouse and bathhouse. We heard songs, prayers, and speeches. We slept in pup tents beneath a special thatched shelter to make sure we didn't get hot in the 100-degree temperatures. The pastor said they’d never had anything so exciting happen in their church. During the 21-year civil war and the past three years of post-war inter-ethnic conflict, few people from the “outside” have ventured into “Murleland.”

No one wanted to miss out on the opportunity to learn, so while we only had materials and food for 45 people, many additional church members asked if they could sit at the back of the church to listen. It was also heartening to see the commitment of these Murle Presbyterians. They meet daily in the church for pre-dawn prayers and Bible reading. Although many were unable to write, most could read their Murle Bibles since even throughout the war the church sponsored literacy courses using the Bible as a textbook. They had a huge repertoire of Christian songs to indigenous tunes, and new ones were created all of the time. There has been a real movement of God's spirit among the Murle. More than 30,000 Murle are members of the Presbyterian Church of Sudan (out of a population of around 70,000), and they worship in 54 congregations.

Despite these encouraging signs, all is not well with the Murle. They are not on good terms with any of the four major ethnic groups on their borders. Their lives are a nightmare of violence and revenge, mostly due to cattle raiding. Many of the participants had been deeply traumatized. One woman told of being abducted with her extended family. Her son and bother-in-law were shot dead. She described the experience as the day in which she was “supposed to be dead.” The soldiers took them into the barracks for five days. Her youngest child died then as a result of illness. Another burden the Murle bear is education and health services that lag behind most parts of south Sudan. Only 2 percent of children complete primary school and 15 percent die before the age of 5 years.

As we explored the journey of trauma healing (versus the cycle of bitterness and revenge), the Christian principles of forgiveness and reconciliation—and the principles of human rights, democracy, and good governance as enshrined in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement—it was evident we were getting through. Through presentations, discussions, role-playing, looking at Scripture, and group-work, people realized that:

• Forgiveness and reconciliation were the only way to create peaceful communities in which their children could experience normal childhoods.
• Their conflicts were fueled by people using inter-ethnic tensions to achieve political power.
• Misunderstandings and injustices do not have to be resolved by taking revenge “in the bush,” as was the case during the war. They can use legal and democratic processes to resolve disputes with other ethnic groups.
• God will provide them the strength, courage, and guidance to heal the wounds of war and begin on a path toward reconciliation.

When he arrived at the workshop, the Murle chief said he was ready to “finish” members of the neighboring tribe who killed seven Murle in an area hospital. As a result of the workshop, he chose to forgive them.

The  transformation that took place in these church leaders was clearly expressed by a Murle chief and evangelist who helped to plant many of the 54 Murle congregations. When he arrived at the workshop, the chief said, he was ready to “finish” the neighboring tribe (who killed seven Murle in their beds in an area hospital). But, as a result of what he learned, he chose to forgive the neighboring tribe and lead his people in making peace.

Before the workshop ended, the group promised to “teach our young men not to raid cattle across borders, teach forgiveness in our communities so people can live in peace, and to report any kind of raiding to the government and not take the situation into our own hands.”

At the close of the workshop, participants were happy for the certificates they recieved, for the knowledge they gained, and for the opportunity to be involved in the workshop.

What happened at Gummuruk is one step toward peace. Conflicts that have gone on for decades are not solved overnight. We are now hoping to fund for a workshop in Pibor, where PCOS leaders say they need “the same teaching that you gave us to help them to realize the path of reconciliation and forgiveness is the right way.” Our plans also include facilitating visits between the Murle and Dinka church leaders and providing opportunities for both Murle and Dinka leaders to take courses in community-based trauma healing and peace studies and conflict transformation at our training centre in Yei. We are grateful for Fifth Reformed’s commitment to get this process rolling and for the support and prayers of scores of PC(USA) and RCA churches that make it possible for us to be a part of this challenging but rewarding work. Thanks for your prayers.

In Christ,

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 10