Wednesday 07 Feb
R reports back on recent training for leaders from Manipur and Myanmar.
"It was a humbling experience to be a part of an effort to provide relief and much needed equipping to displaced peoples from Manipur and Myanmar at the Trauma and Counselling Training in December last year. We thank the Baptist Church of Mizoram for their partnership and generosity in hosting the training. Altogether 43 pastors and community leaders took part in the training, including 38 from Myanmar and 5 from Kuki Baptist Convention in Manipur.
Most of the participants were able to share personal experiences of traumatic events during the sessions. Some of them shared about ongoing issues in the camps that have stemmed from the collective trauma, including dealing with children who are violent and non-cooperative, and experiencing learning difficulties in the makeshift schools.
We are so thankful for the availability of Rev. Dr. Ellen Jamir, Associate Professor of Pastoral Counselling & Psychotherapy at the Oriental Theological Seminary, Nagaland. It was really helpful to have someone with her background to listen and provide pastoral care to these resilient people who have been through some of the most challenging circumstances. The training was very interactive, therapeutic, informative, effective and practical.
Beyond the training, the time together was also significant as for the participants it was the first time in a long time that they did not have to worry about what they were going eat or how they were going to provide for their families. The training was truly a time of retreat and refreshment for the participants as they prepared themselves to serve their people better.
In consultation with our leadership team, we decided to buy and provide blankets for each of the participants as it was very cold in Mizoram. It was a sheer joy to see the excitement and gratefulness on the faces of the trainees as they receive the extra blankets.
We thank you for your prayers and generous gifts which enabled us to provide all the trainees generously for their travel and daily allowances and also the much needed warm blankets.
Please continue to pray for the ongoing conflict in Manipur which has seen no improvement since its eruption in May 2023. Pray for peace to return to the hills as you lift up the displaced people who number around 50,000. Also pray for the ongoing conflict in Myanmar and all the people who are affected by this."
- R, Baptist Mission Australia's Asia Mission Mobiliser
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