Confusion and Darkness

Things are different here. There seems to be a cloud of spiritual confusion and oppression over this place. People here are very superstitious and blame bad things that happen on curses, witchdoctors, demons and other outside forces. Now, we know that the spiritual battle is real and there is evil out there, but often it seems like people are confused and desperate for an answer, yet sometimes they seek explanations in the wrong place. A week ago Sunday, there was a group of people passing by our house. They were carrying a girl who was making noise. They would walk a few feet and stop to put her down. We didn't know what was going on so George went out to investigate. It turns out that her family was carrying her to church because they thought she was demon possessed. They wanted her to be prayed for. When someone is sick, many people believe that person is demon possessed. Don't get me wrong, the first place we should go is on our knees in prayer, but God has also allowed us to have medical resources to assist us. Unfortunately, many illnesses here when left untreated lead to people acting out and losing their mental abilities. George tried to tell this girl's family that she may be sick and needs to see a doctor. Perhaps it was cerebral malaria. He couldn't tell by looking at her, but since our time here, we have seen people blame so many things on demon possession and witchcraft, that we see the need for education and shedding of light. We know Satan is powerful and he seems to work in different areas of the world in different ways. Here is seems like people are in bondage to fear and superstitions. They focus so much attention on dark things, they forget the God is the God of light. He is way more powerful than the enemy. We want them to turn their eyes on Him and focus on His power instead of evil. Perhaps then they would be free of the superstitions that are hurting them.

We don't know what happened to the girl that passed our house. Of course, we hope for miraculous healing, but if not, we pray her family set aside superstitions, and sought treatment for her. It has not been easy adjusting to this. We experienced similar views of superstitions and putting faith in witch doctors while in Sudan. It's sad, but we remind ourselves and those we talk to here that “ he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. “ 1 John 4:4.