Excerpts
(p.193)Carlos: He always greeted us fondly and would offer us stools on which to sit. He would listen attentively to our stories about Jesus. When we would invite him to accept Jesus, he would shake his head and say that he did not need Jesus. Directing our attention to the many fetishes tied to his body, he would say that the witchdoctor was all he needed. We visited him occasionally for more than two years.
One Sunday morning at Kibanga, when I had nearly finished my sermon, I saw the old man standing at the entrance at the back of the church. He slipped in and sat on the dirt floor just inside the door.
I was the only one who had seen him as the others had their backs to him and were paying attention to me as I preached. I extended my sermon just for him.
After a time we began singing the invitation hymn at which time Danieli stood before me and facing the congregation to be ready to accept those who would come. On seeing his uncle at the back of the church, he showed visible excitement.
We sang and a number of people came forward but Danielis uncle did not move. We continued singing until no others came and still Danielis uncle did not come.
I had decided that we would sing only one more verse. About half way through that verse I could see Daniels uncle. He was tearing the fetishes from his body; first from his ankles and then from his legs above the knees. Then he pulled away those from around his waist, wrists and above his elbow and finally from around his neck each time dropping them on the dirt floor in front of him. We continued singing.
When all the fetishes were off the old mans body he picked them up from the floor and held them in both his hands. He got to his feet with difficulty, as he was quite old. When he was on his feet he came very slowly to the front of the church and handed his fetishes to Danieli saying, You take these. I do not need them anymore. I am accepting the missionarys Jesus. Then he asked for permission to speak.
We nodded that he may speak.
Many times have Danieli and this missionary come to my hut. I was always glad to see them but when they asked me to accept Jesus, I always told them that I did not need Jesus and that I only needed the witchdoctor. When they would leave, I would always remember what they said in my heart. Today when I heard the singing at the foot of the hill, I knew what I must do. I will not go to the witchdoctor any more. I want Jesus as my Savior.
His coming caused much excitement among the people.
After the service, Danieli sent boys into the hills to collect dry wood. When they returned some of the men kindled a fire in front of the church. We all watched and prayed as Danielis uncle dropped his fetishes, one by one, into the fire.
(p.156) Myrtice: Your burns are very bad and you will need to stay nearby so I can give you care and medicine every day. I knew that she would have to get her antibiotics by injection and that I would need to clean and remove dead skin particles from the wounds, putting on fresh dressings regularly.
After getting her some relief I began to gently remove the dead skin. It was a painful process, so I tried to engage her in conversation to keep her mind off the process. On seeing the hirizi (fetishes) around her neck I perceived that she was a pagan. I asked her, Do you know Jesus?
She answered by shaking her head "no." She answered, I do not know anyone by the name of Jesus!
I could hardly believe it for this was the first person who actually told me they had never even heard of the name of Jesus Christ.
May I tell you about this wonderful person?
She nodded her yes answer because she was still in much pain.
I immediately began sharing with her about the One who loved her and all the people of the world. I shared how he gave His life as a sacrifice for her sins. She listened intently and began to ask questions. Time passed quickly. I bandaged her arms, gave her medicines and sent her to find a place to stay. You must come back every day for a while, I reminded her as she left.
I enjoyed thinking of new things to tell Mulagi about the wonderful stories and life of Jesus during our cleaning and treatment sessions. She always seemed interested but did not converse much. I knew her distress with the pain perhaps distracted her. After regularly meeting with her for about five weeks one day she came for her treatment sessions. I took off the bandages and could see the arms were healing very nicely.
Mulagi, I believe you can go home now because you do not need any more treatment here. You know how to care for the few bad places remaining, treating them as we have been doing, I advised her. As I began telling her how very pleased I was to see her healing, she stretched out her arms in front of her.
As she intensely examined them she said I am glad I burned my arms!
Her statement utterly shocked me. What did you say? I questioned, doubting that I had understood her correctly.
Yes, I am so glad that I burned my arms. If I hadnt burned my arms I would not have heard about Jesus.
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