Pageri, South Sudan is a peaceful village near the Ugandan border. Its history is painfully violent. South Sudan has been at war for decades. First was its effort to fend off the Islamic forces of the north. Over two decades of civil war officially and finally ended in 2011 and South Sudan was recognized as a sovereign nation. However, the peace was fleeting. In 2013, another civil war broke out between warring tribes. The larger tribe took over the government in the name of Christianity. They claimed to be the new Israel, and leaders promoted the belief that they were commanded by God to cleanse the land of all other tribes.
Much misinformation and turmoil ensued. Many people were displaced, and lives destroyed. Close to 4 million people, mostly women and children, are now in the refugee camps in Uganda and Kenya. When this civil war broke out there was, of course, resistance. Horror was inflicted on all sides. The tragic part is that the people are the ones to suffer. As politics dictate the hatred – people suffer.
Pageri was a peaceful place inhabited primarily by the Madi people. The Madi people are known for their gentle spirit – they are doctors, nurses, teachers and preachers. These are the people of Pageri. From 2016-2018, Pageri was systematically destroyed and the people fled to Uganda. Burned out homes and market places have now been overtaken by the growth of the bush. There is much rain in Pageri and the destruction is covered in a thick layer of grass. Blackened walls and caved-in roofs remind visitors of the suffering that took place here not so long ago.
Among those to flee was Tobias Abuchan with his wife Florence and their six children. His church and home were destroyed and his associate pastor was killed. Shortly after this, one of our leaders invited him to come to one of our API trainings. He had been a pastor and military chaplain so it seemed that the training would be helpful. When we met him, his soul seemed so defeated. There was only sorrow and suffering in his eyes.
Somehow, God began to heal his heart. When he left us, he began to plant churches in the refugee camps. In 2019 he brought 13 pastors from the camps to a training we conducted in Kampala, Uganda. As a result of more Biblical training, we were just blessed to see his newly-rebuilt church and the compound in Pageri where he is building a small school. He is building a Biblical training center. He believes that the only way South Sudan will ever know peace is through the transformational power of the Gospel and the Word of God.
It is hard to describe what God has done these past ten days. 107 students came from different tribes and denominations. Some military commanders as well as leaders of Parliament and the local chief came to launch and sanction the API training. He brought people from the camps back to this place to heal. He is developing a team who longs to see God heal. His prayer is that this will begin a movement for his people to come home, that hope would become rooted within the souls of those who come, and peace would return to Pageri. I truly do not know why God has chosen API to be a part of such a powerful and healing time. But oh what a privilege and joy to watch God work. Plans are being made for the next training and we are praying for the funds to help Tobias finish restoring this place of peace. Please pray for God’s peace in Pageri.