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| Dressed as a witch doctor (a skit) |
“We were at the event, the music was playing when she started convulsing right in front of me.”
Our teammate had been told that every woman in her landlady’s family has a spirit or spirits, but she hadn’t witnessed anything before. Her friend had been embarrassed about it and said that she didn’t like it. An island sister said she avoids that family because of all the things in which they are involved.
“His family is forcing him to go to a witch doctor to get medicine.”
He is an island brother but he isn’t open with his family. He told our teammate that a girl in his family is suddenly being tormented by demons. Now he has to make a choice between going against his family and trusting God or going to a witch doctor like his family wants. We are sad to say he succumbed to the pressures of family and fears of rejection and went to see the witch doctor.
“She’s been cursed by some neighbors because she is friends with foreigners.”
Our friend has been sick and depressed for months. She only started getting sick when our teammates moved into the neighborhood. They have had lots of great talks with her but she suffers and has very little hope. Her family believes a curse was put on her. We have talked, we have found some medicine for her to take, now we are fasting and praying.
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| Tom near where we found a food offering |
There are other stories too...our landlady was seen by a friend covering her face as she entered a witch doctor’s home. We commonly find food offerings given to demons and left in special places by the ocean/caves/waterfalls. We hear stories of people in crazed trances speaking a language they don’t know, people suddenly going into fits when the drums are beating, generations of families calling on spirits to enter them...
You don’t notice this sort of darkness on a daily basis. At least not at first. But it is always there, hidden under the surface of things. Many times they won’t admit to it because officially it is seen as wrong. They openly tell us that the official “island religion” forbids it ….”but we all do it anyway,” they confess. And as we enter deeper into the culture and into community, we see it more and more.
“You’re right, it is a war….but for me, things will happen but I’m not bothered. I don’t have to fear.”
An island sister told us about all the dark things she has witnessed and the fight going on in islanders. They don’t know which way to follow and how to get help for their many problems. They do what they think will work, whether or not it is right. But our sister is not like that. We look at her and give thanks. She is not afraid. She is happy. She is free. We long for more to be freed from this fear and darkness.
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| Grace reading to Tom & Peter |
PRAYERS ANSWERED
We started a new round of English classes this past week and they are going well. The kids went back to school after their “spring” break without any trouble. Megan’s back hasn’t been as bad the past couple weeks. Our team has had chances to share and pray with islanders this past week.
PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray for our team as we try to respond in the right ways to the kind of situations mentioned above. Pray for us as we make contact with neurosurgeons about Megan’s back and as we make decisions about timing and logistics. Pray for us as we deal with theft-- several teammates have now caught people stealing in their homes (often people they know well).
