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Healing Deep Wounds of the Heart and Spirit

February 10, 2016
A man from Nigeria

A man from Nigeria

Danladi lost 50 members of his family, including his children and his wife who was eight months pregnant, when his small village in Nigeria was attacked by Boko Haram in September 2014.

Their house was burned down, and the property around their village was destroyed. Danladi survived the brutality, but his life was changed forever.

“I am like a bird in the air,” he said, tears flowing, describing his pain.

“Anywhere I go and night meets me, I sleep there. Anywhere I get food, I eat. I have no choices of my own. I thank God for any help he brings my way.”

World Renew has been able to reach out to help heal the trauma of people such as Danaldi.

While the agency has worked in peacebuilding and trauma-healing in such countries as Nigeria as part of its mission to address poverty and disaster throughout its history, it has in the last ten years certified staff members as trauma healing trainers through the Trauma Healing Institute of the American Bible Society.

Hedd Thomas, a World Renew consultant in South Sudan, is one of World Renew’s trauma-healing trainers, and he knows about this process.

Thomas will work this year with World Renew’s Christian partners in South Sudan to teach 63 new local trainers to facilitate the healing process among 1,500 families in Lainya, near the Uganda and Congo borders.

“People who have been brutalized, raped, maimed, and seen their family members murdered or lost their homes and livelihoods, live with images of horror and despair in their damaged memories,” Thomas said in a December letter to World Renew supporters.

Trauma perpetuates conflict by starting another cycle of violence, Thomas added. “Recovery requires gentle and carefully-placed biblical assurance, Christian love, and an effective healing process.”

“Healing starts with recognizing trauma, praying, and working toward reconciliation,” Thomas said.

“Listening, counseling, prayer, scripture, and encouragement are the tools World Renew uses. Then it’s time to start a new life without fear, pain, and resentment. Healing takes people from a negative, destructive mindset to God's source of strength. In His strength, God’s love can heal us. Then we can begin to live in the harmony He intends for us, and that eventually brings peace.”

After his loved ones were killed and his home and village were destroyed in Nigeria, Danladi wasn’t sure where to turn. But then, after a time, he joined the trauma-healing group in his area.

The group had helped.

Together, the participants processed their experiences by extending forgiveness to one another, rebuilding their personal and collective resilience, and slowly beginning to find their way to peace.

Danladi says that the care he experiences now has helped him develop a greater appreciation for a decent meal, a place to sleep, someone caring to talk with, and something to wear.

Along with offering trauma-healing in post-conflict communities, World Renew is proactive in peacebuilding efforts around the world on an ongoing basis, working within communities that are prone to hostility because of ethnic, religious, political, economic, or interpersonal challenges.

World Renew’s peace-building efforts enhance responsive, participatory, and accountable governance, promote people-oriented community-based development, and build resilience to prevent tension from escalating into tragedy in the future. 

For more information about World Renew’s international development and disaster programs, go to worldrenew.net. To get connected to Bible-based trauma healing efforts that are now beginning in North America, go to traumahealinginstitute.org.

Those interested in participating in trauma healing training in the Grand Rapids area, please contact World Renew at [email protected] to be added to email updates.