Peace and Truth in Trauma: Healing Retreat
Introduction
Wycliffe Links has partnered with the Trauma Healing Network to bring the healing and restoration of God’s Word into our churches and lives. Through healing retreats, we can go on a journey to understand our trauma, what the Bible says about it, and to build skills and resilience for moving through trauma. In November 2022, GodFirst Fourways held the first Trauma Healing Retreat in South Africa. Maddie was one of the participants.
Testimony: Maddie Rolfe
I attended the Trauma Healing Retreat in late 2022 because of emotional scars which have not healed completely as of yet.
- I grew up in an abusive home as the youngest of three children.
- My life was threatened even before birth, as my mother tried to abort me but failed. All glory to Jesus!
- I made terrible choices my entire life, due to my reference point and what I thought was acceptable. These choices had horrible consequences.
- I faced all forms of abuse: physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, drugs, financial, and sexual.
I have struggled greatly even as a born-again Christian. It was so difficult to love or accept myself, let alone to view life in a healthy way. But God is good and faithful. He never left my side, even when, on numerous occasions, I was fighting for my life due to my own actions, due to someone else, or because of an event.
As I learned better ways of living and doing things, and started to make Bible-based choices, my life started to change for the better; slowly but surely, like a huge ship changing course. I received so much healing over time, but I kept stepping into the same trap of self-condemnation.
"I kept stepping into the same trap of self-condemnation."
Psalm 46:1-7 (NLT)
1 God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
Interlude
4 A river brings joy to the city of our God,
the sacred home of the Most High.
5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
From the very break of day, God will protect it.
6 The nations are in chaos,
and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
and the earth melts!
7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.
I struggled with the concept of honouring my parents; every time I have any form of contact with either of them, things fall apart and the enemy creates havoc! You see, my mom encouraged my dad to abuse us, and she even arranged for him and his friend to sexually abuse me when I was just a toddler. This was nothing in comparison to the beatings, verbal abuse, and constant fear we had to endure on a daily basis. Still, I learned to forgive and to focus on the cross and to live for Jesus.
I received my final healing at the Trauma Healing Retreat when it was explained to me that we have to forgive, but that reconciliation and rebuilding relationships is something different. This knowledge lifted a huge mountain off me. I could breathe… I had peace... Finally and completely.
"After I received my peace through receiving the truth my soul needed, I started to heal."
I was extremely ill at the time of the Trauma Healing Retreat and we were not sure if I would survive or for how much longer. My whole body had started to shut down. But, after I received my peace through receiving the truth my soul needed, I started to heal. Today, I am out of danger.
Thank you so much for the Trauma Healing Retreat. My life is saved and changed forever.
"Today I can whole heartedly say, it is well with my soul. Thank you, Jesus!"
Engage with the Bible through trauma; a complex topic that can be difficult to wrap your head around, but is something that all of us will go through at some point in our lives.
Thankfully, the Bible has everything we need.
Host a trauma healing retreat at your church through the Trauma Healing Network, or access resources and information at Trauma Healing Basics.
Find out more at www.wycliffe.org.za/wycliffe-links-resources
