The Trail of Tears Along the Trans Road
“We were all in shock when suddenly we were speaking our Moni language, embracing, and crying as they poured out their story.”
Displaced and On the Run
For the last four plus years, many of our villagers have been surviving hand to mouth, living on the run, and fleeing for their lives to a couple of coastal towns. In these towns, they have little food to eat and no place to stay, but at least their families are safe from the chaos.
The Trans Road Encounter
Recently, I was on the “TRANS ROAD,” a government project that is building a road from the northern coastal town of Nabire to the southern coastal town of Timika. Eventually it will continue through the interior and end in the highlands town of Wamena.
About fifteen miles from Timika, just as I came out of the mountains into the sweltering lowlands, I came across settlements of Moni people. I have known them in the past from their mountain villages. Now they were here, living like refugees. They had built makeshift shelters from jungle lumber and were surviving by hunting wild pigs and kangaroos to feed their families.
We were all in shock when suddenly we were speaking our Moni language, embracing, and crying as they poured out their story. It truly felt like a Trail of Tears.
John discovers a Moni settlement along the Trans Road.
A Broader Trail of Tears
What is happening along the Trans Road is just one part of a much larger tragedy. Hundreds of desperate villagers are fleeing their remote homes to escape the abuse and destruction caused by the rebels.
A lifetime spent helping build airstrips and schools and visiting these villages has mostly come to a halt. The rebels speak the language of fear and intimidation. They show no respect for elders, pastors, teachers, missionaries, or government workers. This has made it nearly impossible to keep schools open, clinics functioning, or churches gathering.
Meeting Refugees Where They Are
Our challenge now is to find and support these families along the Trail of Tears as they arrive in Timika and Nabire. These are unfamiliar and difficult environments for them. Often, just helping care for their children and providing education allows the parents to gather food, plant gardens, and build shelter from what they can find in the jungle.
Education Along the Trail
Ten miles outside of Timika, the Rock Church has generously established a school right along the Trail of Tears. They have welcomed some of our Moni refugee children. We are partnering with them to help more of our young people attend and to find ways to meet the basic food needs of these families.
In addition to that school, we are starting a new school at one of our Moni churches. This one will serve refugee families who are no longer in the jungle but have made it into the town of Timika.
Listening First, Helping Next
As we connect with these families and educate their children, we will be in a better position to understand their real needs and begin finding ways to respond.
Thank you for your prayers and support. We look forward to sharing updates from the Timika area in the near future.
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