Update on Tribal Fight

Sue says:

Thank you to those of you who have been praying for the people involved in the current tribal fight near our Bible college. The tribal fight issue is mystifyingly complex. Actually, this fight is between sub-clans within a larger clan. The people in these sub-clans intermarry, so those fighting each other, in this instance, are related.

The corporate memory in these groupings goes back generations, and if there is a chance to bring an old fight back up--even if compensation has been paid--up the old trespass comes again when an opportunity presents itself.

We at our Bible college don't want to be taking sides with one clan against another. After all, there are students here from all the clans involved. At some time in the past each of the three clans we know of in this fight has done some terrible things to the others.

However, people burned out of their houses need some help. Last Sunday a truckload of medicine, clothing, blankets and some other things were taken up to Bung village. (Picture above) It was horrifying to see that some of the people least affected grabbed more than their share of donated goods.

Some people want to settle matters and go back to peace. Others want to take this opportunity to press their land claims. Some want to escalate to all-out personal violence. Some sons and nephews of those who want to fight are saying, "Don't do it!"

One pastor from an opposing sub-clan came to pray with the people of Bung. His gardens were ruined by his own people because he did that.

"Oh Lord, please sustain Your people through this terrible time. May they grow in their trust in You. May they help each other without fear. Please bring peace to this area again. May new ways of peacemaking be put in place so that these kinds of matters can be settled without further destruction and bloodshed."