Abuse survivors often suffer in silence. They feel they have nowhere to turn especially when the abuse is coming from a family member or close relative.

This is true in Chile, where domestic violence is prevalent. According to a 2018 United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) report, 71 percent of children in Chile report having been victims of violence from their father or mother. And it is estimated that 50 percent of married women have suffered spousal abuse.

Survivors who suffer physical, psychological, and sexual abuse need to know they are not alone. Jesus is there in the midst of suffering. He has not abandoned or forgotten them.

“But today I leave happy, free, healed, and blessed.”

The Bible reminds us that God is able to comfort us when we are hurting. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds.”

Chilean Bible Society began Bible-based trauma healing so that trauma survivors can experience the comfort that God offers. In small groups, participants learn what the Bible says about grief as they share their stories of suffering. Through trauma healing, hurting people rediscover their joy and find hope for the future in God’s Word.

And that’s exactly what happened when a local church in Talcahuano, Chile, led a trauma healing group for 16 participants last summer! Here are some of their testimonies:

• “This workshop is a gift that God gave me … healing the heart is a day-to-day work and only with the help of God can we find the traces and wounds that are still inside. But today I leave happy, free, healed, and blessed.” - Anonymous
• “I realized that God is interested in me because he gave me the tools to restore my heart. I’m leaving, not the same as I arrived.” – Miriam Estrada
• “The conversation with my sisters in the group helped me to better understand the need to talk about what I had lived … I am leaving very grateful to the Lord for realizing that he does not stop loving me.” – Maria Elena Gonzalez

We thank God that abuse survivors in Chile no longer have to suffer in silence. Trauma healing is a place they can go to encounter God’s peace and comfort.

Let’s Pray Together:

Father, thank you for healing and restoring wounded hearts in Chile. We pray for the trauma healing ministry to grow in this nation. God, use it as a safe place for abuse survivors to share their pain and be healed.