On April 7, 2020, a category 5 cyclone battered the Pacific leaving widespread destruction across the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Cyclone Harold destroyed homes, schools, medical facilities, as well as caused damage to food crops and water supplies.

Vanuatu was hit the hardest. Malo Island in Vanuatu saw the cyclone destroy 84% of thatched homes belonging to villagers. Families are now living in caves. The cyclone also destroyed most of the thatch environment needed to rebuild the roofs and houses.

The difficult living and environmental conditions have left families across the Pacific traumatized. But God’s Word has the power to heal the wounds of trauma.

Hope for the Suffering through God’s Word

In this moment of indescribable pain and loss, Bible Society in the South Pacific is responding with the healing found in God’s Word. They have introduced Bible-based trauma healing ministry. Trauma healing ministry helps local churches become a place of healing for the traumatized. Using God’s Word and field-tested program models and materials, people in the church learn basic trauma healing skills so they can walk alongside those who are hurting.

One pastor said, “I feel further enlightened with the techniques and Scriptural contents of the training, looking forward to enriched ministry and further training in the future.”

So far, through a partnership with Vanuatu Christian Council, 31 church leaders and volunteers have been trained to lead trauma healing groups. Trauma healing materials have been translated into Bislama for Vanuatu communities. And we’re excited to report more than 500 people have been impacted by the program.

By 2022, Bible Society in the South pacific hopes to expand the trauma healing ministry for the worst affected communities in Tonga, Solomon, and Fiji.

Your prayers can help make this a reality. Join us as we pray for God to expand the outreach of the trauma healing ministry so that people suffering the effects of trauma can be comforted by God’s Word.

Let’s Pray Together

God, thank you for your Word that brings us hope in our darkest moments. We pray for the people in the South Pacific to be spiritually and emotionally healed as they hear your Word in trauma healing groups. We also pray for trauma healing ministry to reach many lives across the Pacific Islands