A music training facilitated by the National Youth Office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea has brought together youths of the ELC Ukata District.
This music training was conducted by two music volunteers and trainers, Charlie Goiba and Samuel Elivong, at Gatop Station in Wasu from May 16th to May 20th.
Music facilitator Charlie Goiba said more than 120 youths from circuits, parishes, and congregations in ELC Ukata participated in the weeklong training on reading music theory in the church hymn books Amamas Wantaim na Lotu Long God and Book of Worship.
Mr. Goiba said the training was conducted following a request from ELC Ukata Youth Coordinator Bini Lekem.
“We went and conducted the training, which was successful, with inspiring feedback from participants,” Mr. Goiba said.
He added that male youths went through music theory, while the female youths were trained by Gatop Girls School teacher Edna Waka on how to play different tambourine patterns.
“Music is a very powerful weapon that has a strong influence over a person’s emotions, and we are happy that this music training brought together youths from warring villages of Sio,” Mr. Goiba said.
“The training helped the youths to see their purpose and calling in God’s mission through music. Throughout the whole week, the mindset and approach of hatred, anger, attack, and insults was changed.”
Mr. Goiba also said the youths participated very well, socialized, discussed, and shared stories together.
He mentioned they didn’t know some of the youths attending the training were actually enemies, and thanked God for making everything possible and bringing the peace that was needed.
A Breakthrough After Years of Conflict
Stoll Circuit Pastor Terence Keke said they had been experiencing continuous fighting among villages in the circuit over the past years.
Ps. Keke shared that the music training brought together youths from these ethnic villages and fostered peace, open communication, love, sharing, and a feeling of togetherness.
He noted that the ongoing fighting had led to a decline in youth participation in church activities, fellowships, and organized programs.
“I thank God for seeing our need in His service and making this training possible, which made a big impact in the lives of our youths,” Ps. Keke said.
“They don’t see themselves as enemies anymore but as soldiers of Christ. They admitted that they will return to their respective congregations and parishes as changed persons with a mission in God’s ministry.”
Ps. Keke said that despite numerous attempts by authorities to bring peace and reconciliation, the conflict persisted, with villagers attacking each other when they met.
“I prayed to God, and He sent the youths who were heavily involved in fighting and destroying property—including taking lives—to the training,” he said.
He emphasized that the training brought together youths from the communities of Lambatina and Lailo with others from Ukata, and that this was a strong sign of hope for peace, reconciliation, and normalcy.
Youths Ready to Make Peace
Stoll Circuit Youth Coordinator Zebedy Daniel shared similar sentiments. He mentioned that his awareness efforts to bring in youths for the training were successful, especially among conflicting villages.
Mr. Daniel expressed gratitude to the National Youth Office, music trainers Mr. Goiba and Mr. Elivong, and the National Church for organizing the training.
“This training may seem small, but it had a big impact on the lives of our youths by helping them see the goodness of God through music in the church,” he said.
He concluded by saying that the youths pledged to return to their respective villages, surrender their weapons, and make peace with one another.
