If you’re like me, one of the most depressing aspects of this election season has been the widening gulf of factionalism, divisiveness and us vs them “tribalism” in America. I read today that one of the positives of the election aftermath is, “At least there was no bloodshed or armed revolt.” How did we get to the place where this is what we celebrate after elections in America? Like many, you might be wondering: is there a way back? Is reconciliation still possible?
To answer those questions, I offer the following from our dear friends Rachel and Michael Weller, with whom we served for four years as missionaries in Ethiopia. They tell an amazing story of reconciliation between former enemies in one of the most volatile parts of the world that might sound impossible, if it were not true. It’s a little longer than my normal posts, but very worth it. Enjoy!
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If you ever hear news from Ethiopia, Sudan, or South Sudan—countries where Michael and I live and work—it is probably something about war, kidnapping, shooting, arguing, and generally hateful stuff. A lot of that goes on, it is true. A year ago Michael and I left Ethiopia to return to the U.S. for our Interpretation Assignment, a time to tell the story of what God is doing where we work. As we prepared, it felt like the story was going to be an empty, ridiculous story full of violence and hatred between political leaders and the people supporting them and even between church leaders and their supporters.
In South Sudan, the world’s newest country, thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced as some of the country’s leaders argued about who was going to be in charge and what it means to be in charge.
The Gambella Region of Ethiopia, where we live and I work, is one of the places where displaced South Sudanese are finding refuge, as it is just across the border from South Sudan. The influx of desperate people stressed the local population and fueled ancient ethnic/tribal rivalries. Anywaa and Nuer killed and threatened to kill each other; two refugee children were hit and killed by a car of an aid organization carrying and driven by Highland Ethiopians, sparking violence and killing between Nuer and Highlanders.
Eventually, though, change happens. Our brothers and sisters in the Horn of Africa are praying people. One morning in a village in Ethiopia I was wakened before the sun was up to the buzzing sound of women all around me praying quietly, inviting God to stir slumbering souls during the spiritual conference we were leading. Zewdi, who keeps the Addis Ababa guesthouse tidy, fasts every Thursday; at lunchtime you will find her in an empty room on her knees. Every church meeting, whether it is with two people or two thousand, starts and ends with a conversation with God. Our colleagues in Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan have been earnestly praying that God would resolve the differences and dissolve the hate.
You may have heard the story of Rev. Peter Gai Lual, the Moderator (that is, head) of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, a multi-cultural denomination. At the beginning of the violent civil war more than two years ago, while the town of Malakal was changing hands between the mostly Dinka government forces and the mostly Nuer rebel forces, Rev. Peter, a Nuer man himself, donned his clerical robe, stole, collar, and cross and stood at the gate of the walled compound, where nearly 5,000 people found refuge, and declared, “Inside these walls there are no enemies.”
He welcomed Nuer, Dinka, Shiluk, Anywaa, and Murle people to stay or to visit, insisting all guns be left outside to be guarded by the church leaders who stood with him. It didn’t matter if they were government or rebel supporters, they were welcome inside the grounds of the church compound to comfort and encourage each other.
Later, with rumors swirling that he had become a traitor to his own people, he sat with his accusers and for 10 hours in 100-degree heat, refusing anything to eat or drink, proclaimed that he was the elected Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, which includes Dinka, Shiluk, Anywaa, Murle, and Nuer, and that he would always welcome each member, no matter what their ethnicity, to live and work peacefully side by side. This was one of the first steps in working toward what seems to be elusive peace in the new country.
In Gambella, our partner denomination, The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), organized a meeting of its members and all who would come to proclaim peace between Anywaa and Nuer and between Nuer and Highlander.
As the church members of the Anywaa community were anticipating the arrival of national leaders, they called for a meeting of peace and reconciliation between their own leaders and those with whom they had grievances. Okello Oluch, the president of the East Gambella Bethel Synod (Anywaa mostly), reported that after a morning program of fasting and praying and hearing a message on forgiveness and peace, people humbly bowed down and confessed their sin.
In the afternoon they were joined by the West Gambella Bethel Synod (mostly Nuer). To confirm the spirit of reconciliation a foot-washing ceremony was performed. The denomination president, Rev. Wakseyoum, washed the feet of the two synod presidents (from synods representing mostly Anywaa and mostly Nuer people); they, in turn, washed his feet. Eight representatives from each group were selected to represent men, women, young people and children—the whole church. This diverse group proceeded to wash each other’s feet. (see photo)
The joy was uncontainable as the people danced and sang their way to the center of town to proclaim to all that they had forgiven and been forgiven!
Question: How do you see Christians taking the lead in reconciliation here in America, as they did in South Sudan and Ethiopia? What should we do? Where should we begin? Please share your thoughts in a comment.
Rich, thank you for posting this. When I first read this letter from Rachel ( was deeply moved. The time my wife and I spent working alongside Rachel and Michael Weller was filled with the suspense and marvel as the people of the Eastern and Western Gambella Synods negotiated the landscape of conflict between the Nuer and Anywaa. Okello Oluch and Rev. Wakseyoum have worked together in a courageous effort to be peacemakers within this diverse culture. They are an example of how we can work through the tribalism that divides our American culture. Jesus’ high priestly prayer in the Gospel according to John is answered in part by the reconciliation and peace witnessed and reported by Rachel. Humble confession of sin and servant ministry as feet are washed is an example of how we can bridge the divide in America. The example of Pope Francis washing the feet of Muslim refugees is another true example of the Love of God in Christ that breaks down the dividing walls between us.
Rich, reconciliation is a powerful witness to the love of Christ that constrains us. Would you be willing to engage in a respectful and graceful personal process of reconciliation between you and my wife regarding the conflict we experienced in Ethiopia? Here’s hoping.
Stuart