Youth ministry using battlefield to bring tribes together

A YOUTH ministry in Mendi, Southern Highlands, is using a battlefield for its activities to try and bring warring tribes together.
The urban youth ministry of the Upper Mendi Catholic parish in the Mendi diocese will be hosting a spiritual and social gathering for Kelta ward at Nepilbipmenda field to bring tribes together. Youth leader Peipul Wilep said the field had been used as a battle field for different warring tribes.
“We will be hosting a retreat there,” she said.
“The latter part of the programme will involve sports, mainly rugby league.
“We want all our tribesmen in other provinces to attend.
“We need their help in whatever way they can.”
She said the field was a battle ground and the blood of many had been shed there.
“The spiritual activities and games will bring everyone together, unlike in the past where warriors met there in fighting,” Wilep said.
The ministry has 300 members from Pimda village and was established in 2012 to help address youth issues and tribal fights.
Wilep said the ministry would also be celebrating its 10th anniversary and its efforts to bringing peace into the area over the years would be acknowledged.
The ministry’s programme is based on Bible verse 1 Corinthians 15:50: “I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”