At the beginning of July, a small group of Somali Christian families from all over North America came to middle Tennessee to connect as brothers and sisters in Christ with their chosen theme of Joy, Rest, and Healing in Jesus Together. 

Our dear friends, Beth and Teri, co-facilitated with us. We began by explaining the need to raise joy levels before addressing pain, loss, or suffering. We used an illustration of two buckets – one hand holding pain, loss, suffering, trauma and the other hand holding joy, appreciation, gratitude. After this illustration we moved to raising joy levels by practicing joy or gratitude memories. You can read about this practice here. 

We experienced these truths together:

• Joy helps our brains heal and make us resilient.
• We were born into, and for rest.
• Lamenting is grieving with God. 
• Bringing your pain to God is a sign of faith, not doubt.
• Grief is unavoidable and we can learn to grieve like Jesus did.
• Being a good listener is powerful in helping someone grieve.
• The Most High God (Is 57:15) became the Man of Sorrows (Is 53:3) to heal, revive, forgive, guide, comfort, and put a song in our hearts (Is 57:15 & Phil 2:3-11). 

Some, who were closed-off at first, became the most open to share by day three. We were so pleased to see a profound humility, unity, and trust that has grown steadily since last year’s gathering. This trust has produced fruit! 

One participant wrote, “The sense of home and belonging it brought me is something I had been seeking for a long time. I had always envisioned my family coming to the Lord (and I pray they will) but God showed me that this is my family. I was so grateful for the little moments like speaking Somali together, eating Somali food, and worshipping in Somali. I genuinely want to embrace my culture more and not run away from the way God created me—as a Somali.” 

Another person commented, “The verse that continues to come to my mind is Hosea 2:14-15. The journey out of the Valley of Achor to the door of hope – God is giving them new songs to sing. Truly it was a beautiful weekend of joy, rest, and healing.”

And another, “I was moved by the precious voices praising God thinking how sweet a sound it must be for God to hear His praises sung in Somali. And to hear passionate prayers for their nation and beyond. The sisterhood, the open healing hearts, the praising in community in a heart language are all beginnings that God will grow and multiply.”

We praise Jesus for these believers as they continue to share the joy-building practices with one another via WhatsApp. Our Generous Father also provided all the funds requested – over $16,000 – through churches, organizations, and families.