Murders Thwarted, Praise God

No one would choose to live in a Refugee Camp; those who live there have no other option. Since war broke out in South Sudan over two years ago, about 925,000 refugees have fled to northern Uganda, with more being added each day. One of the eight over-crowded camps is called Rhino Refugee Camp. Among the thousands there are pastors and Christian workers including Scripture Union of South Sudan volunteers, many of them from a town called Yei. Beth, our friend, is a Scripture Union of Uganda missionary to South Sudan and Ethiopia. She and the National Director of Scripture Union of South Sudan (who has chosen to remain in Juba) have agonized in prayer over the situation and sought God’s leading for how to bring truth, hope, and love to these many displaced people.

Little did we know last October and November, 2016, as the Forgiveness module came off the press, that one of the first places where the module would be taught would be in the Rhino Refugee Camp. In early December VOICE Africa staff Chris accompanied Scripture Union staff Dennis to conduct a four-day training for 20 South Sudanese Christian workers living in three of the ten settlements within the camp. Twelve boxes of Forgiveness Curriculum, paid for by a foundation, went with them. These 20 were trained to teach this module to children and youth…which make up the largest percentage of each camp. The dates were set for the Scripture Union Conference—the 28^th – 31^st of December.

On the 27^th of December, despite the fact that his wife was expecting “any day,” Chris and another Scripture Union volunteer, Gloria, made the 350 kilometer (217 miles) trip, which takes 12 hours under the best circumstances, loaded with Bibles, soap, jerry cans, used clothes and shoes, and more. After an overnight in Arua, they purchased beans, rice, poshu (corn porridge), and sugar before setting out for the three hour drive (about 30 kilometers or 19 miles over horrible roads) to a Primary School in the Rhino Camp. This became the Team’s Base from which the non-residential conference was conducted; Chris and other workers from outside the refugee camp slept in the school. Food was cooked in huge pots and dozens of plastic jerry cans were filled with water drawn from a “bore hole” (around one kilometer away) around midnight each night due to the many who lined up for that water during the day. About 250 children, youth and adults (which they were not expecting) came the first day; the number swelled to 560 by the last day (or at least they stopped counting then).

Gloria, Chris’ companion from Kampala, experienced real culture shock as she adjusted to her surroundings. But eventually, she began to reach out to the children and youth. One day she determined to get a group of young teens to laugh—something she noticed they did little of. She succeeded…except for one 14 year-old boy. She prayerfully sought an opportunity to find out his story…but she wasn’t prepared for what she learned. Somehow, as bullets flew some months ago in his town of Yei, he was separated from his parents and ended up alone in his home. Neighbours took pity and brought the boy with them as they escaped and fled into Uganda. However, after weeks of harsh survival of the fittest, his rescuers started abusing him. Hatred filled the boy’s heart, so much that he had made plans to murder the entire family. Gloria discussed with him what he was learning during the Conference—forgiveness is a command, is possible through God’s power, and will set you free from anger and bitterness. Praise God that he chose to forgive…and release his murderous plans. Chris learned of another 14-year old girl, mother of a 2-month old baby, who didn’t know if the baby’s father was dead or alive. An uncle had found her in the refugee camp and had been increasingly threatening to rape her that she also had secret plans to murder him…but was set free by forgiveness. (We pray that someone has stepped in to protect both of these 14-year olds from their abusive situations.)

Praise God for His Calvary love and ability to reach needy Sudanese who have lost so much: their loved ones, homes, crops, livelihood, not to mention their significance and security. Thank you for all who pray and give to see the Biblical Values Curriculum contextualized, printed, and put into the hands of trained Christians to use in their communities…even when their community happens to be a Refugee Camp.