Mending the Soul in Beni

Trauma training

Mending the Soul is a trauma-healing based ministry from Arizona that focuses on equipping Christian leaders and care-givers especially in regions that have experienced trauma. Dr. Steve & Celestia Tracy and the Mending the Soul team accepted our invitation to come help with trauma training here in Beni. They were with us for over two weeks and served in many different ways while here.

Fifty local leaders who work with hurting individuals in various capacities such as hospital chaplains, NGO employees, mental health workers, pastors, and others participated in a six-day trauma training. These men and women are now reporting to us on their involvement in training other people or using the information they received to help members of their community.  

Marriage seminar

Some of the marriage seminar participants

A two day seminar led by Dr. Steve Tracy was held for young married couples. This seminar focused on strengthening a husband and wife’s relationship. We were happy to have couples from several different church denominations. The participants were very engaged and willing to process in ways that may not have been normal for the culture. For example, directed by Dr.  Tracy, couples would discuss together making eye contact and end by praying together holding hands. At the end of the seminar, the participants decided to continue processing and sharing together as a group. So we will meet again at the end of July to structure and plan our monthly times together.

Other Mending the Soul activities
The rest of the time that the Mending the Soul team was with us was full of many activities, it was a busy time together! Since they had a team of ten people, they were able to spread out and reach people in different ways. Members of their team ministered to a specific group of children in one of the local primary schools, helping them to process their grief and trauma. Another group conducted a soccer camp at a local high school. A husband and wife team taught a course to theology students at UCBC. Some joined with us in our grief share ministry. And the team visited local mental health facilities in Beni, Oicha, and Butembo.

We are so grateful for all of the time and energy that the team spent here. It was a wonderful period and we are still processing all that occurred. Some of the first people we wanted to join us in the start of our ministry in Beni were Dr. Steve and Celestia Tracy. We praise God that they were able to not only come back to Beni, but that they were willing to minister to many hurting people and in so many different ways!