Matthew 10:7-8 "Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received."
Jesus sent his apostles out with these instructions. But these words were not just for 2000 years ago. They are for us today as well. The story I'm going to tell is an example of this verse coming alive. It is with joy and humility that I share how God is using me in Haiti.
You may remember hearing about my neighbor, Dieudone, who was a witch doctor that accepted the Lord last November. A team came and planted a cross at his house last week. Yesterday was the day to remove the ropes securing the cross. As I walked to his house, I passed by the voodoo temple that his brother still uses for ceremonies. There was lots of activity going on inside. I politely greeted the people as I walked to the cross behind the temple.
Then I felt the nudge. The kind that you can't ignore. I was to go and share Jesus with this group. I started praying God's armor of protection over myself, and declaring that greater is He in me, than he that is in the world. Encouraging and preparing my heart and mind for what God was asking me to do. And praying for the Holy Spirit to give me Creole words to say as I didn't have a translator to help me.
I asked Dieudone if I could interrupt their meeting and he was quite excited about sharing the gospel with them.
I approached the entrance with more boldness than I felt and asked permission to speak with them. The Boco, witch doctor, invited me in. I noticed a large bowl in front of him and he began adding additional powders into the bowl that made it bubble and churn. He explained that his son was sick and he was making medicine for him. Well, there was my opening. I asked if I could pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, for healing for his son. Without hesitation, he agreed. As I reached down to place my hand on the boys head, I noticed a cord with decaying, smelly bones wrapped around his neck. I thought, no wonder he is sick. And I prayed. The Lord touched him and he said he felt better.
Immediately, one of the men there asked if I could pray for him. He had pain all over his body but especially in his shoulder. I did and the Lord healed him too. As he twisted and moved his shoulder to find the now dissolved pain, his face broke into a smile. I then shared of the love and goodness of Jesus. I shared testimonies of how God has healed others and set them free and asked him if he wanted to be set free. He did indeed and he prayed to receive Jesus as his Savior. We rejoiced and praised God together. The presence of the Lord fell upon us.
Then I turned around, pointed my finger at the Boco and said you are next! Hearing a cheer arise, I looked up to see a crowd of people gathered. Not exactly what I wanted. I asked permission to sit on the ground next to him and for a long time told about Jesus, answered his questions and loved on him. As the sky was getting dark, we agreed to disagree. He would allow me to pray for him, but did not want to accept Jesus as the true Lord of his life. I prayed that God would give him dreams and reveal the truth to him as he slept.
As I was standing to leave, another man asked for prayer. Of course, what do you need prayer for? He replied 'I want to accept Jesus into my heart!' That was one prayer that I was overjoyed to pray with him. He also felt the presence of the Holy Spirit.
So here we were, sitting in a voodoo temple, with a concoction brewing, with decorations used to please Satan hanging from the ceiling and touching our heads, declaring God's love. Yes God's love. That is one thing that we could agree upon. The Boco knows that God loves everyone, including him.
Please continue to stand with me in prayer for this man who Jesus loves, to accept the forgiveness offered to us on the cross. And pray that the men below, Dammes and Cheriza will walk straight with the Lord.
