The children in Guyana are hurting. Many suffer from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Tragically, too often the ones who should be protecting these children are the ones inflicting the pain—a parent, a relative, or a caretaker.

As the number of child abuse cases reported each year in Guyana continues to rise, there simply isn’t enough help. Access to mental health care facilities is limited—especially in rural areas and isolated coastal towns.

The Hope of God’s Word

In 2017, Suriname Bible Society, together with local church leaders and pastors, saw an opportunity to make a difference through Bible-based trauma healing.

A group of 30 Guyanese pastors trained to become trauma healing facilitators. They led sessions that helped children share their emotions, tell their stories of hurt, and express their emotional pain. By reading biblical passages, the children began to understand God’s deep, unconditional love for them. They learned the power of forgiveness. They experienced his extraordinary peace as he washed away their pain.

Since launching the program, 500 children have participated in trauma healing groups, discovering how much God loves them. They’re taking hold of God’s plan and purpose for their lives. They’re embracing the hope that’s before them.

Today we celebrate these 500 lives who are forever changed. And we invite you to pray that God will continue to perform miracles of healing in the hearts of many more Guyanese children.

Let’s Pray Together:

Father, please continue to pour out your love and peace on the hurting children of Guyana. Set them free from their painful past and give them hope for their future. We pray you would break the cycle of abuse in this nation. Please guide the trauma healing facilitators as they lead participants to you through your holy Word.