What was to be the Official Opening of the Hela Provincial Camp on Monday 6th September 2021, became the opening and beginning of the peace process that took place between two tribal leaders that over many years had been involved in tribal fights in the area.
The Piwa-Tebi LLG area had been declared a tribal fighting zone and had been a no-go zone for many years. Previously was home to local communities and a local church - all had been removed since the tribal fighting took place in the area back in 2015.
When a venue was to be decided upon to stage the Hela Provincial Camp for the Western Highlands Mission, Piwa-Tebi ended up being the chosen site location. The tribe leader who had left the province and area since the tribal fights, had moved to Port Moresby heard of the church Provincial Camp taking place at his area, and decided to travel back to be part of the event, not knowing that his presence there together with the opposing tribe leader, who is also counsillor of the area, was also present and ended up in an embrace to show the first steps of reconciliation.
During the 1 week camp, gifts of 7 cows came as part of appreciation of the peace process that was taking place and appreciation for the Seventh-day Adventist Church deciding to host the camp at the area.
Councillor Steven, urged the church to continue to pray for the area, for his people and for him to one day join the church. He offered his land to the church for the establishment of church facilities and called for the local church that was removed to be re-established.
Towards the end of the provincial camp, the Hela provincial church members cleared the land in preparation for the re-building of the church.
Please continue to pray for Piwa-Tebi LLG and the people of Hela Province.
