The Hidden Decay
Many times as we remodel things in the states we stumble on the unknown, the hidden. Sometimes we pull back a peace of paneling or maybe a sheet of drywall and discover termites; eating away at the structure from within. The decay causes weakening that is not obvious to the eye. Interestingly termites are huge here in Zambia. This time of year a light bulb is used to attract them, they will often fall into a small pool of waiting water below. Then trapped, the wings are removed and they are fried to a distinct crunch and consumed.
As we traveled in late from another day of stories our friend Victor began to share a story of his own. Not to long ago there was a particular lady who attended the small church Victor belongs to. This lady also happened to be a generous giver to the church, a rare thing in their culture. Sadly she had experienced the death of several of her young children. The church often met with her to console and affirm her in her times of grief. She happened to be the second wife of a local, rather prominent, businessman. When I say second understand he is still married to the first as well; again not uncommon in their culture. One headman, we meet with, has eleven wives.
Similar to the decay from within caused by termites this woman had her own decay that was not obvious to the eye. Finally overcome with grief and conviction she acknowledged to the church that her children had not died of natural causes but in fact had been “handed over” as human scarifies in the common practice of witchcraft. She even confessed that during their previous trips to console her she was in fact laughing at them on the inside. After her confession she did leave her relationship with the man.
Remember this was a person on the higher end of the social and economic scale in a town; not just someone from the village with little exposure to the developed world.
Witchcraft abounds in this country. It is used to sustain a business, as a means of vengeance, even to kill people who have seemingly betrayed you. Sadly the law even recognizes it and cases like this are rarely if ever prosecuted.
Should you be tempted to think it is not real or somehow explainable as a matter of physics or something similar, don’t. It is real, powerful, and evil. Tragically it is also the way of life.
Let me parallel this story with another short one. Just Saturday we returned to Dambilo to find our friend Petro had been bitten by a deadly Black Mamba on Sunday. Dambilo is a two and a half hour drive from Siavonga, if you have a vehicle. It is about a two or three hour walk to the nearest clinic in Chaanga, if you can walk. Petro, about 35 and a newly professed Christian, lives in the same village as his father. His father is son to Hachibozal. Hachibozal, tradition holds was one of the greatest witch doctors southern Zambia knew. Individuals would travel 1000 or more kilometers to seek his aid. When a witch doctor passes he leaves his spirit, or power, with the one he chooses. Hachibozal chose Petro’s father. Consider Petro’s dilemma. It was not explained to me what all transpired but I was told he took some medicine of some kind. He appears to be healing. Just the week before one of the father’s wives asked me what would happen to a medicine man that chose Christ. By the way, Petro’s father is the headman with eleven wives.
Would you consider praying for those whose lives have come to a crossroads, of a life steeped in tradition of spirits, and a heart change by the One True God?
And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, and how deep His love really is. Eph. 3:17-18
As we traveled in late from another day of stories our friend Victor began to share a story of his own. Not to long ago there was a particular lady who attended the small church Victor belongs to. This lady also happened to be a generous giver to the church, a rare thing in their culture. Sadly she had experienced the death of several of her young children. The church often met with her to console and affirm her in her times of grief. She happened to be the second wife of a local, rather prominent, businessman. When I say second understand he is still married to the first as well; again not uncommon in their culture. One headman, we meet with, has eleven wives.
Similar to the decay from within caused by termites this woman had her own decay that was not obvious to the eye. Finally overcome with grief and conviction she acknowledged to the church that her children had not died of natural causes but in fact had been “handed over” as human scarifies in the common practice of witchcraft. She even confessed that during their previous trips to console her she was in fact laughing at them on the inside. After her confession she did leave her relationship with the man.
Remember this was a person on the higher end of the social and economic scale in a town; not just someone from the village with little exposure to the developed world.
Witchcraft abounds in this country. It is used to sustain a business, as a means of vengeance, even to kill people who have seemingly betrayed you. Sadly the law even recognizes it and cases like this are rarely if ever prosecuted.
Should you be tempted to think it is not real or somehow explainable as a matter of physics or something similar, don’t. It is real, powerful, and evil. Tragically it is also the way of life.
Let me parallel this story with another short one. Just Saturday we returned to Dambilo to find our friend Petro had been bitten by a deadly Black Mamba on Sunday. Dambilo is a two and a half hour drive from Siavonga, if you have a vehicle. It is about a two or three hour walk to the nearest clinic in Chaanga, if you can walk. Petro, about 35 and a newly professed Christian, lives in the same village as his father. His father is son to Hachibozal. Hachibozal, tradition holds was one of the greatest witch doctors southern Zambia knew. Individuals would travel 1000 or more kilometers to seek his aid. When a witch doctor passes he leaves his spirit, or power, with the one he chooses. Hachibozal chose Petro’s father. Consider Petro’s dilemma. It was not explained to me what all transpired but I was told he took some medicine of some kind. He appears to be healing. Just the week before one of the father’s wives asked me what would happen to a medicine man that chose Christ. By the way, Petro’s father is the headman with eleven wives.
Would you consider praying for those whose lives have come to a crossroads, of a life steeped in tradition of spirits, and a heart change by the One True God?
And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, and how deep His love really is. Eph. 3:17-18
posted by Tommy and Cyndi at 6:35 PM
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