It was just another ministry day at Africa on Fire in Chibuto, Mozambique. Our alarms sounded at 5:45 as we rolled out of our tents and we’re ready to go by 6:15. Pastor Felito told us that we would be driving 3 hours to go to church in a village. That’s all we knew… So we crammed into the trucks (4 people per row) and were on our way. We stopped for our usual breakfast of a roll and spread for bread (butter)! As we continued our drive down the pot-holed roads, lined with palm trees, we decided to stop to pick us up some tangerines to snack on until we got there. We stopped on the roadside in a tiny little town and pastor Felito jumped out of the van to grab some. No sooner than he got out of the car did he begin praying healing for a woman he just met. He told us to come out of the car and pray with him. By the time we finished the prayer and looked up, there were at least 20 people crowded around us asking for prayer too. It’s was so overwhelming. We started off huddling around the pastor while he translated what these people needed prayers for. It quickly became way too chaotic, so we all just broke off and people started coming up to us just pointing at different parts of their bodies asking for prayer. It was amazing! We’d finish prayer for a lady’s back and as soon as we turned around there was a man asking for prayers for his eyes. The 5 minute stop for tangerines turned into a 45 minute prayer and healing session on the side of the Mozambique highway. Totally unexpected, but probably one of the coolest experiences on the race thus far.
Sooo… After that awesome roadside stop, we didn’t think the day could get any better. After what seemed like forever in the van, we finally arrived at the church. We were greeted by a group of about 30 Mozambicans singing and dancing for us. They were filled with sooo much joy, even though we were like 3 hours late. After we broke through the crowd, there the church building was, in all of its glory, a small grass-walled structure with dirt floors and a roof made of tin. Inside, there was barely enough room for all of us to fit. But we did! We packed that building full! We sang and danced and smiled so much during that service our cheeks were hurting. After the service, they fed us a delicious meal of rice, beans, chicken, salad, and yuca while we sat with them sharing smiles and giggles.
When all was done at the church, we figured we would be heading home back to Chibuto… Wrong! Instead we went prayer walking with the church congregation. We walked all through the village, stopping everywhere to pray for the sick, the injured, and pretty much anyone who asked for it. It was an emotionally and physically exhausting journey, but it was so awesome to see the impact that Jesus was making in the bush of Mozambique. Towards the end of our walk we entered several homes that had a voodoo presence.
<<< Many people who live in the villages seek out witch doctors and zionist to ask for healing, miracles, financial prosperity, and all sorts of other things. The “doctors” will give them pieces of fabric or trinkets that are said bring these blessings. We were told by a former witch doctor (who was praying with us) that all of their methods are bogus. So, in order to fully renounce the voodoo lifestyle, it is custom to burn the fabric and trinkets. >>>
As the sun had set, the pastor told us we had one final stop to make. We followed the congregation into the pitch dark property, guided by their cell phone lights, to a creepy looking hut. We prayed, burned some voodoo stuff and then as we were about to leave, the pastor said we needed pray for this woman. So, not knowing her language or what we needed to actually pray for, we began. We ALL laid hands and began pouring blessings out. As I was squeezing her shoulder, I started to feel her pulling away. When I looked up, I saw that she wasn’t actually pulling away, but she was collapsing to the ground. As she lay stiff on the ground, we continued to pray. To pray for freedom from whatever spirit was on her. Honestly… It was a first for me. I’ve never really seen anyone fall like that. As we finished and the woman stood up again we said our goodbyes and loaded up. There was a silence that took the van as we were trying to process what actually just happened. Pastor Felito finally broke the silence as he tried to explain what had happened. He said that the woman had been bombarded with dark spirits and voodoo and that now she had been delivered. The Holy Spirit was now in her and the darkness fled. She was now free and able to fully accept the love her Father has for her.
So… What did I learn this month? AUTHORITY! I learned to walk in real authority. I’ve always known that I carry authority when I pray, when I worship, and when I just do life, but I’ve never really believed it. This month, I did! I prayed for people and things like I really meant it. I believed that what I was saying was powerful beyond measure. No matter how awkward I felt in those moments, I pressed through. I laid hands on people at every opportunity I had. I spoke life over people when I didn’t even know what they were saying. I casted out darkness and invited the light in. I learned that there is nothing to fear and no harm in praying for things more than once.
Now, do I understand spirits, darkness, voodoo, and weird satanic things? Absolutely not! I have no clue how that stuff even works. At the beginning of the month, I didn’t really even believe that stuff was real. I actually was really looking forward to seeing it in action to force myself to believe. Well, I saw it (I guess). And honestly I still have no clue how I feel about it. BUT no matter how I feel about, I know that I carry authority over it. My prayers can silence it and my God is so much more powerful than it!
Thank you sooo much for your continued prayers and support. It means the world to me.
If you want to reach out to me, please do! Even just to say hi! Facebook is the way to go and I’ll reply as the the wifi allows.
Love you all!
Cheers, Abigail Sheckells
