In our Trauma Counseling (TC), attendees don't just find the source of their troubles - the ancient serpent (Revelation 12:9) - but they learn the ultimate cure by turning their eyes to Jesus.

"The Lord said to Moses, 'Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.'" - Numbers 21:8, NIV
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him." - Jesus (John 3:14-15, NIV)

One of the ways we've discussed troubles that cause trauma is by referring to it as a snakebite - a metaphor that has resonated with some of our TC students.

Thiep used to struggle with building trust with people. Stressors and past trauma always seemed to get in the way. But he said that from our TC training he learned how to control stress and trauma (the "snakebite"), get rid of the poison, and start living normally again. Likewise for Amoui, the training helped him work past his snakebites of anxieties to find the peace that passes understanding - calm in the midst of life's storms.

If left unchecked by the saving power of God through Jesus, the poison of our enemy the devil works its way into our vitals to destroy us. Samtino, another recent TC student, learned this at a deep level as it almost claimed his life.

Without food to eat with his family and no money to reorient his future through better schooling, Samtino felt useless and hopeless. He decided to give himself one month for life to turn around before he succumbed to stress and ended his life. But God heard the prayer of Samtino's heart and before the end of the month met him in our Trauma Counseling. Now his hope in a brighter future has been restored and he praises God for saving him.

We praise God for how He continues healing the poison of the snakebite and restoring hearts and souls to Him!