At 17 years old, Vanessa* met and fell in love with Marcus*. They married and began a family. But when work became too demanding, Marcus took his stress out on Vanessa. He yelled at her and hit her. The abuse spread to their children, as Marcus started hitting their two sons. Desperate, Vanessa and her children left Marcus and found refuge at a women’s home.

Vanessa was able to escape the physical abuse—but the emotional pain remained. Depression and fear were a constant reminder of the abuse she’d experienced at the hands of a loved one. What could she do about the broken state of her heart?

God Heals Wounded Hearts through Bible-Based Trauma Healing

Bolivia has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in Latin America. Sadly, this abuse often comes at the hands of a husband, father, or other family member. Although women and children can seek physical help through government services, these programs don’t address psychological traumas like anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, and depression.

But Bible-based trauma healing does. It seeks to nurture the soul and spirit. In small groups, guided by a trained facilitator, participants are invited to search for God’s love in the powerful words of Scripture. They share with one another, learning how to open up their hearts and let Jesus fill the space where pain once lived. Trauma victims can leave as trauma survivors, equipped with a new source of Bible-based strength and encouragement.

Vanessa’s friend invited her to trauma healing. “Little by little I came out of depression and I was able to start again. My children no longer live scared and I am a better mom.”

This year, the Bolivian Bible Society is working to bring this powerful ministry to Cochabamba, Bolivia where close to 70,000 cases of violence are reported every year. By the end of 2019, they hope to recruit and train 70 church volunteers to become trauma healing facilitators. These facilitators will lead healing groups for women and children in women’s aid centers and orphanages, bringing the healing power of Jesus to those who need it.

Please join us in praying for God to use this ministry to heal more hearts like Vanessa’s across Bolivia.

Pray for:

• Women and Children.Ask God to heal abused women and children and set them free from the pain of trauma. Also pray for protection from further abuse.
• Volunteers. Pray that God will raise up volunteers who desire to serve him as trauma healing facilitators.
• Churches. Pray that local churches will embrace this ministry and implement it within their own communities as a way to help trauma victims.
• Bolivia. Ask God to break generational cycles of abuse in this nation, replacing violence with a spirit of love and respect for all.

*Names changed to protect identity.