I last wrote that it is a bad day to be a witch doctor. My meaning was that the kingdom of light is dispelling the kingdoms of darkness- especially in East Africa where the Gospel is marching forward like a conquering army.
In the Serengeti corridor of western Tanzania we have seen the advance of the Gospel among the Sukuma, Kuria and other neighboring tribes. Where once the witch doctors ruled with threats and fear, now the love of Christ is prevailing.
One story will bless you. About seven years ago when we began our work in the area, we came up against the “Red Eye Witch.” For years witch doctors had convinced the Sukuma people that if a woman’s eyes became “red”, then that proved she was demon possessed and should be stoned or even beaten to death, her house burned, and all her land, cattle and other possessions taken from her. Those possessions now belong to the witch doctor as fee for delivering the village of the red eyed witch. This was and is a clever scheme by these evil sorcerers to get rich. The obvious truth (to us at least) is that as young women marry, amass cattle etc. they are also cooking long hours over an un-vented charcoal or wood fire. The continued exposure to smoke has turned their eyes red. All that is necessary to take her life is for the local witch doctor to declare her a red eye witch and she is dead, done, finished!
This happened to one of our newly converted Sukuma women in a village where BWM built a church. She was baptized, along with members of her family. The Witch doctor, fearing the loss of his power and prestige decided to declare her a witch and take her property.
Without warning one night the witch doctor gathered some villagers and attacked her house and family. Being forewarned by friends, mama and family had escaped, but her house was burned down. The witch doctor was feeling powerful now, until BWM stepped in, sent money to rebuild her house-bigger and better than before. The church members built it and a great celebration was held. Love wins over hate, good wins over evil. In shame the witch doctor is disgraced and his power diminished. There have been no more red eye witch killings in that area as news of Christ’s great power spread among the nearby villages. The Gospel has advanced so greatly there that today, BWM has planted nine churches and many are being saved. I’m telling you-it is a bad time to be a witch! God is on the move. How’s he moving in your life? Strong and powerful I pray! Be blessed!
For further reading on the red eye witch killings see www.standardmedia.co.ke
