when our hands are God’s hands

Turning the Tables on Trauma

Over the past 12 months our island has seen significant public unrest. This summer attacks on small businesses and homes have caused new lines of division to be drawn between people and communities in Belfast. Violent riots have also been ongoing in Dublin city centre, shocking the nation.

In the light of frustrations with the cost-of-living crisis and political deadlocks which have left health services in chaos, people are struggling to meet their basic needs. Lack of affordable housing has stressed a country that has welcomed many refugees, but this shift towards aggressive action prompts much reflection. I can’t help but wonder what other pains are behind the destructive outbursts that have shaken our fragile peace? We see such depth of human suffering around the world at present, it is easy to be overwhelmed and ask: ‘Where is God?’ Yet our global partners have much to teach us about meeting God in the difficult places. About seeing God when we feel unseen.

Throughout the Biblical narrative there are assurances that El Roi – ‘the God who sees’ – is also Jehovah Shammah – ‘The Lord is there’. In the earthly life of Jesus, when God came to ground, we see God suffering human pain, God toiling and tired, hungering and thirsting, God thoroughly grounded. Many of CMSI’s global partners are living in situations of great stress, pain and turmoil, and yet they seem to respond with a faith that is strong and shines brightly despite the circumstances. Is this because they understand the reality that this God really does know what we are going through and still walks alongside us? That when we recognise our need and weakness, his Holy Spirit really can fill us and empower us?

At CMSI’s Peace and Reconciliation conference held in Stormont in 2017, one participant in the round table discussion said: ‘Those who have experienced real trauma can, by listening, enable beautiful things to happen for others.’

One of CMSI’s Local Mission Partners, Seme Peter Christ’s Own, is a powerful example embodying this very thing. Seme Peter is himself a refugee, having fled South Sudan to escape the civil war. He says:

‘The way we want is not the way God designed. If I can learn to build a relationship with God … I can be contented in any and every situation.’

CMS Ireland supports Seme Peter through the Local Mission Partner programme run by CMS Africa. Seme Peter set up and leads Save Life Ministries. He recently arranged a 4-day mission to Rhino Refugee camp in NW Uganda. In his regular correspondence with us he explained a little more of the background to this mission.

Rhino camp is home to people from 41 different ethnic groups from 7 nations, all uprooted and struggling for ways to survive. Recently a curfew was imposed as fighting amongst rival ethnic groups had resulted in killings and reprisals. It seems that the tensions fuelling the civil war in South Sudan have spilled over into the camp. Ancient rivalries are driving hatred, bitterness and revenge even here, far from home, in a seemingly God forsaken place. Seme Peter also shared something of his passion and the vision that drove him to build a team of evangelists and travel 75km to the camp. ‘A lot of evil things are happening and refugee youth are just messing their lives with drugs. I want to talk to them. It is so sad to see these young people.’

Just a week before the mission began, Seme Peter messaged: ‘We are trusting God for provision, at the moment we don’t have any finance.’ However, the team ploughed ahead with arrangements and everything took place as planned. Seme Peter deliberately works through the United Church Council that is on the ground in the camp because he knows that reconciliation is at the heart of mission and that local church is God’s presence on the ground. All the different ethnic groups were invited to attend to worship and pray together, and the different choirs offered opportunities to take to the stage during the evening sessions.

Considering the blighted environment, lack of resources and desperation of Rhino camp, the photos Seme Peter sent are surprising. An open-air stage with choirs and preachers. Faces lit by floodlights with a massive crowd stretching back into the pitch-dark night. Hands raised in worship and prayer. He reported: ‘Thank God for the successful mission to Rhino refugee camp. First day, glory to God Almighty, many accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. On Sunday our team was able to lead programmes in 22 churches under the umbrella of the United Church Council. It was a very powerful moment on the ground – many people and children gave their lives to Christ and many sick were delivered.’

Perhaps the secret of this amazing work of God lies in the daylight photos where we see a circle of people in prayer under a tree outside a mud-built church. In another a few young people walking along a path, Bibles in hand. Prepared to step out, in faith, determined to follow God’s call to mission, even when resources are scarce and the task looks overwhelming.

This determination challenges each follower of Christ. No easy excuses, no lazy avoidance, none of the rationalising that fills the gap between where we are and the leap of faith we want to avoid.

Richard Rohr has a helpful way of looking at what faith is: ‘Holding the tension, not necessarily finding a resolution or closure to paradox; … agree[ing] to live without resolution,at least for a while. Opening to this holding pattern is the very name and description of faith.’

Perhaps we just need to step out more often so that God can really use us in our places, here in Ireland, where people need compassion and hope. As The Message translation of Proverbs 3:27-28 puts it:

‘Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person.’