Dear Friend,

Blessed are the peacemakers - these words have become so familiar we can almost miss their significance. It is no small thing to choose peace, but I know God moves in hearts to make peace. I’ve seen it happen in profound ways where Five Talents works.

Outside Terekeka in South Sudan sits a small village that was raided by a neighboring community. The raiding party destroyed the village, burning down their church and most of the houses, and stealing all the food in their granaries. Those who could not run away were attacked and even killed.

Rebecca escaped with her husband and children, but they lost everything. They struggled to find food because of an ongoing drought. Her family was nearing starvation and Rebecca felt hopeless.

Returning to their village, Rebecca joined a Savings Group that offered not only business and literacy training, but also workshops in trauma healing and peacebuilding. Her group taught her skills to run a business. It also discussed forgiveness and what it means to forgive your neighbor. 

Rebecca now has a successful grain business. Her improved financial position has changed the life of her family, but her new trust in God and her community has changed her even more. Confident in God’s provision, this woman who once faced starvation now gives food to those who are hungry.

Rebecca and other Savings Group members led their community in deciding not to carry out a revenge attack against the raiders, as would typically happen. Instead, they made the remarkable decision to reach out to offer forgiveness and make peace.