Everyone longs for peace – in our world, our communities, our churches and our families. Tearfund’s most recent pack, produced for Christmas brings to life Jesus’ message of peace. The pack travels to Sierra Leone, one of the poorest countries in the world, to meet people who have suffered immense pain and loss during the nation’s 11-year civil war. With hostilities now at an end, they speak not of fear or of hate, but of peace, forgiveness and restored hope for the future.
Peace be with you shows how, with the help of Tearfund partner the Evangelical Fellowship of Sierra Leone (EFSL), people are now learning to be peacemakers in their villages. EFSL runs peace-building workshops to teach people how to forgive their enemies and put the past behind them and it also helps rural communities by distributing seeds and tools, and repairing wells.
War orphan: Fatmata was just 14 when rebels killed her father and sister before cutting off her foot.
After 11 years of civil war, the people of Sierra Leone are determined that peace should stay. The alternative is too horrific to contemplate – the return to days of random murder, multiple rape, amputation, abduction and drugged child soldiers. It is estimated that 50,000 people died in the conflict, half a million became refugees, and 5,000 people had limbs amputated as a symbol of rebel hatred for the government.
“We are tired of war,” says Margaret Conteh of EFSL [photo available]. “Revenge will not allow your arm or leg to grow again. So forgive and let love into your heart.”
Abu [photo available] was a two-month old baby being held in the arms of his father when rebels entered their village and opened fire. One of the bullets ripped through Abu’s leg. His father was killed outright. Abu’s mother managed to escape with her four children but she thought Abu was dead. “It is only by the grace of God that he is still alive,” she says smiling as her little boy runs around their home with the use of an artificial limb.
Kadiatu [photo available] has come to terms with her father’s brutal execution which she witnessed as she hid from rebels. Her family lost all their possessions when they fled from home in the middle of the night. Life is still very difficult but she says, “I’m not angry any more. I have learnt how to be at peace with people, even the rebels who have caused so much trouble. I can be friendly with them and have no desire for revenge.”
Abu's artifical limb has helped him to run for the first time.
Kadiatu now has a new role as a ‘peace ambassador’ thanks to the training she received during the EFSL workshop. She mediates in any local disputes that arise, to see peace worked out practically among her neighbours. “We must unite together to build this country”, she says.
Peace be with you is packed full of inspirational stories like these. Stories of men and women who know that peace is not the absence of war – it is the presence of love.
The Peace be with you pack is available now for £9.95 and includes:
- Flexible, easy-to-use leader’s guide with activities for churches, schools or home groups
- Moving presentations on OHP and PowerPoint
- Colourful A2 posters
- Advent calendar
- Christmas leaflets for churches
Call 0845 355 8355 to order the Peace be with you Christmas Pack