June 2023 Founders’ Column

Rwamwanja Refugee Training & Sustainability Update

Summary

In late May, five of us flew from the US to join our five Africa directors. Together, we conducted a variety of ministries, including a 6-day By His Wounds Intensive Healing Seminar for 60 Congolese refugee leaders in the Rwamwanja Refugee Camp, follow-up conferences for previously trained leaders, and began the field research for MTS’ proposed Trauma and Restoration Institute in western Uganda. God continues to bless and go before us. In many ways, this international trip represented the purest expression of this new season for MTS that we are calling MTS 2.0.

Five Key Take-aways

MTS 2.0 has arrived

God is doing a “new thing” as He opens up paths in the trauma wilderness. This was the first time in MTS’ history that all five of our Africa staff led the training. I (Steve) sat on the front row bearing witness to the anointed teaching of God’s choice leaders. Instead of directly teaching myself, I was there to coach, supervise, and encourage these leaders we’ve been training for years. From the beginning, MTS’ mission has been to resource, train, and equip the anointed indigenous faith leaders God has called and positioned. Once trained, they are resourced and supported in training their own people. They are far more effective than someone outside their culture because they intimately know and understand their people, experiences, and language. It felt surreal to witness the fruit of our model expressed through these precious leaders — God’s choice shepherds. Their potency was palpable. It was beautiful. Celestia’s and my focus going forward will be on curriculum, translations, supervision, and advanced training.

Diversity is beautiful

Our By His Wounds training team reflected more diversity (ethnic, cultural, experiential, etc.) than we’ve ever had. For instance, Dr. Kelsey and I were the only ones on the team who weren’t people of color. Since we were training Africans, this was significant and powerful. Dr. Ethie’s background, being an Ethiopian refugee who came to the US as a child, brought unique credibility. Dr. Kelsey made powerful, noteworthy contributions as a mental health trauma expert. David and Moses, our Congolese regional directors, brought trustworthiness as fellow Congolese, as did our three Ugandan staff. Finally, Tina Tree-Lasiloo made very powerful contributions as a Native-American (Navajo) woman, who uniquely understands the impact of intergenerational trauma and the impact of colonization on her ancestors. In short, we all have individual backgrounds, insights, gifting, and stories that God delights in using to advance trauma healing. Diversity increases efficacy.

Team photo: Kelsey, Tina, Tim, Stephen, David, Moses, Ethie, Steve, and Justine

No evil is too great for Christ to heal and redeem

Refugees, by nature of their high levels of trauma, are often the most difficult communities to train. The Rwamwanja Refugee Camp is home to over 85,000 men, women, and children. The people have literally lost everything—homes, loved ones, possessions, and communities. Each one has suffered mind-numbing evil. Most will not ever return to their home-land. For instance, Pastor Uzima and his wife, our hosts for the conference, lost eight children in a murderous rebel raid on their home village. Dr. Emma, a faith leader from a previous training, lost his medical practice, home, and loved ones. His wife was terribly abused. We cannot begin to imagine such loss. Humanly, there is little or no hope for these refugees, yet Pastor Uzima, Dr. Emma, and countless others, embody the miraculous power of God. They testify to the hope and healing Christ brings. We’ve walked with them for several years now and have seen the fruit. We bear witness first-hand that there is truly no evil too great for Christ to redeem!

Despair replaced with Hope

We were soberly reminded all week that there is so much more to be done. There are literally millions of traumatized Congolese in Congo and Uganda. Uganda also has tremendous trauma needs. During the week of the conference, Moses, one of our regional Congo directors, got word that his niece had been kidnapped by Muslim terrorists and nine villagers were killed. That same week, Stephen, our Uganda director, got word that a man in his community had been beaten to death by immediate family members, including his own daughter. As long as Satan prowls the earth there will be rampant evil and suffering and thus much work for MTS to do. Once we finish training and pack up to leave, the leaders we’ve trained will remain to care for the trauma wounds of their people with the very healing model they’ve received. Because you prayed and gave generously, the refugee churches are being equipped to comfort their people. Despair is replaced with hope.

Trauma survivors — our heroes!

One of our greatest privileges is to spend time with people who have suffered much—here in the US and around the world. They inspire and embolden us. Anyone can smile and praise God when life is good. But it takes supernatural courage and faith to trust God when your heart has been shattered, and you have no idea how you will live another day. Showing up and facing one’s past is hard, painful work. These African leaders don’t have to do it, and yet they come and learn and heal so that they can know how to help alleviate the pain of those they love. And, as I told our team, courageous survivors uniquely shame Satan by pursuing God and His healing in spite of their pain, questions, and doubts. We admire them so much!

Sustainability - God continues to provide

MTS has a God-sized goal of creating financial sustainability for our Africa work by 2029. This was the first year that Celestia was able to focus her energy on some of these sustainability projects. MTS now has 70 acres of agriculture (macadamia trees, coffee, vanilla, and honey) growing tall in the fertile soil of Kibale. MTS has hired local sustenance farmers, who are grateful for the work, and we are grateful for them! In February 2024, we will host, in partnership with EMI, a site visit to determine the best location and design elements for the proposed Trauma and Restoration Institute. We have a tremendous need for safe, respite housing for our Congolese and Ugandan trainers and a venue that will provide for our training needs. We are so thankful for our partners who have made all of this possible. God continues to make a way through the wilderness and we praise Him!

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you,

and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,

for the sake of His body, which is the church. (Colossians 1:24)

Thank you for coming alongside our brothers and sisters in East Africa. Together, we’re making a visible difference as lives are transformed and communities rebuilt - all in Jesus’ name!

Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing,

Steve & Celestia