Getting the Feelings Out!

a painting by Izdihar Kassis, the Camp Director

This past week, Max and I were privileged to be part of a "trauma" camp for refugee teens. This overnight camp, patterned after a teenage version of VBS, gave the kids a respite from the boredom of the refugee camps, a chance for fun, and the opportunity to make new friends. Nearly 30 kids were part of the camp, a slight majority being girls. 

The theme for this "trauma" camp was Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd. Each day, we looked at the meaning of various phrases, starting with the concept that God is the good shepherd who takes care of the sheep. 

The talks were interactive and allowed the kids to ask questions, express their doubts, and engage with the presenters. For many of the Muslim kids, this was new. To be allowed to express their anger towards God who allows war was surprising for most. To question whether God is good or all-powerful would be blasphemous in many contexts, including a Christian one like this. The leaders believe this is important for the kids to feel safe enough to be brutally honest about their past experiences, their faith, and their current circumstances. 

working on an art project

Beyond the group teaching/discussion time, the kids were given a chance to do projects where they created art pieces about what they were feeling. Then the kids met in small groups with trained facilitators and psychologists to share their stories and explain their artwork. In the various exercises, they were asked to see themselves as sheep. One day they were asked to depict how they felt as sheep. Another day, they were asked to draw a happy place for the sheep. Yet on another, they were told to depict the dark valley where they found themselves. 

notice the man holding a gun to the sheep

I wish I could post pictures of some of the people with their art but conservative muslims won't let their girls be photographed. Some of the images I saw: 

• Sheep confined to a black tent -  no way out. 
• Sheep within a heart
• Sheep being beheaded 
• Sheep at an oasis 
• Sheep in the middle of a desert 
• Sheep being stalked by a wolf 
• Sheep in the middle of a whole family of sheep

The follow-up stories have been heart-breaking. One child had shrapnel scares on his arm. Another spoke of digging through rubble to find family members after their home was bombed. One told about their father, a former Christian leader, who converted and joined ISIS and then abandoned the Christian mother and her children. One young lad lost both parents in the war and has no idea where the rest of his family is. Another one told about his brother who was lost at sea trying to migrate Greece. There were stories of sexual coercion, physical violence, and abandonment.

supporting one another

Some of the kids, boys as well as girls, openly cried when telling their stories. Others had a blank look on their faces. Some joked and tried to cover their pain. Even so, there was a sacred quality to these groups. They deeply listened to each other, relating their memories to the stories they were hearing. Once they get started, they had so much to tell. It was amazing to watch how supportive they were to one another. 

Every day, the boys in my group asked me if i was happy or sad in their broken English. I always asked them the same question right back. One delightful young boy never told me he was anything but sad. When I asked why, he simply shrugged his shoulders and said, "What is there to be happy about?" 

from a black heart to a loving one!

But through the week, we saw a change in some. A few that were standoffish, joined the fun and made friends. The girls in particular got into the singing. All lit up when we had a talent show one night. At every juncture, the staff affirmed their worth and you could see that all the kids blossomed with this kind of daily love. 

The healing work that began during this trauma camp week will be followed up with months of care by the team. The most severe cases will see counselors and receive meds. The girls will have the opportunity to attend an all day Saturday "camp" once a month for further education and support. All will receive follow up visits where they live in the refugee camps. 

Given the enormity of the crisis, we only saw a small number of refugee youth. 30 teens is but a drop in the ocean. But my hat is off to Izdihar and her staff who do not let the size of the problem overwhelm them. They believe they are called to love and support the kids who God brings to them. The difference they are making is remarkable. 

I wholeheartedly agree.