Healing Retreat Training (HRT)

The Namibian Evangelical Theological Seminary (NETS) had an HRT
during the 15th – 19th of August. The training equips students to be
able to assist traumatized people on their healing journey.
One of the students shared their experience of the training below:
Telling the story of the past is a way of dealing with self-acceptance and
the beginning of the healing process in one’s life. Self-acceptance and
awareness can be a good way of seeing oneself through reflection and
introspection. It will allow one to be sincere with themselves and narrate
their story as it is. The course has been life-changing to the many of us
students who were in attendance. It was presented at an individual level
and caused one to have an introspective soul searching.
What was most positive to me is the way traumas, triggers, experiences,
and negative emotions one has gone through are brought out and dealt
with through the process of forgiveness, resilience, voicing out the pain,
taking the pain to the cross, believing that the Lord is able to heal our
wounds and mend our broken hearts, and after that living a healthy
emotional life. In addition, one would learn the bringing out of
emotions, voicing the pain, practice self-control, develop resilience and
coping mechanisms. Realize that you are going through the traumas of
life for a purpose so you have to deal with them. It was awesome!! Just
because one is going through the happenings of life does not mean there
is no solution.
The impact of the course gave me courage to share my life story freely
with no shame or reservations and it brought healing to my soul. I feel
privileged to have attended the course and will endeavor to encourage
many to do so, especially those vying to be pastors and spiritual
counsellors so they learn to deal with their past before counselling
others. The course content is very educative, thought-provoking,
encouraging one to do soul searching and seek interventions that will
bring healing to one’s life traumas. The material is great, easy to follow
and apply to one’s life for a transformation. Finally, Jesus said, in
Matthew 11:28-29 I quote, “come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls.”
Written by Annie Chaka Maseka