Asia-Pacific Communications received the following prayer request Wednesday from Kudjip Nazarene Hospital Administrator Scott Dooley and Melanesia South Pacific Field Strategy Coordinator Harmon Schmelzenbach about a tribal conflict near Kudjip Nazarene Mission Station:

Please be praying for the effects of a tribal fight taking place in the area north of the Nazarene hospital in Jiwaka Province.  

A local leader’s son was killed at Banz yesterday, which is a town about 15 minutes away from the mission station. We are told the man started some disturbance at the market there. He was attacked by a group of people and died as a result of his injuries.  

Today, many young men from the Kuma tribe (one of the tribes neighboring the mission station) blocked a bridge into the area. Many of our hospital staff that live in the Banz area could not come to work today because of this. We are now hearing that many of the Kuma men went up to the Banz market and surrounded the area. They have burned down buildings and houses in that area. Many of our staff and Nazarene church members are trapped there with this fighting — feeling that their own properties and lives are threatened.  

There is a lot of potential for the fight to grow and spread, affecting many others as both sides feel wronged.  

The Nazarene hospital itself currently remains unaffected directly, but this will affect some of our staff and surrounding community.

This is truly a spiritual battle! Many of our project workers are from the Kuma tribe. Many recently gave their lives to Christ this past weekend at a spiritual retreat that the hospital held for them. We even told those at the retreat that often, immediately after coming to Christ, there will be some big temptation. It has certainly turned out that way.

The Nazarene hospital has this week had some community tension over land issues and now today is a time that many in our community are having to decide to stay home and be a comfort to a grieving family or go join a tribal fight that will only build destruction and death. 

Please pray for our community leaders, these young men, police/authorities, etc., that they will do the right thing. Pray for the protection of innocent lives and property.

On September 22, the region received the following update:

Last week it was reported that some members of the tribe that live around the Kudjip area, recruited assistance of another tribe and then raided the area of Banz town. This was in retribution for the death of one of their own tribesmen.

Unofficial reports are that two people lost their lives in these events along with 122 homes burned, countless pigs killed, and significant property damage inflicted on gardens and trees.

A strong and prompt police action has seemed to help in re-establishing peace. Nearly 50 men from the Kudjip area were arrested by the police and are still being held in jail. The police have also tried to keep any weapons away from the road junctions and markets and are dissuading people from congregating there. NHM staff who were previously unable to work because of the fighting have now returned to work.

Two Nazarene Health Ministry leaders were asked to come in and help begin peace talks between the two groups. Both sides currently have agreed to work out a peaceful solution. Local churches are already trying to reach out to the community around Banz that saw so much devastation.

We are praying for Christians in both communities, that they would help people who are suffering and be a light of hope and peace, leading  people to Christ through these unfortunate events.

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region