How to put what I experienced into words, I am honestly not quite sure. I don’t even know how to comprehend what just happened physically or emotionally. Spiritually I know exactly what happened.
I am just going to go through my day for you all.
Wake up, get ready for church, eat breakfast.
Alyssa and I went to Milton’s church, the man we are living with. We drove to church with Milton and his friend named Kelly, nicknamed Black Beauty (my nickname is now White Beauty since I am a white Kelly). I am not quite sure what denomination the church is, but we had to cover our heads/hair with scarves and our knees could not be visible. Black Beauty luckily had extra scarves to help us style correctly. When walking in the church, Alyssa and I spoke with the Pastor; we introduced ourselves and explained why two white American girls were in Botswana. He welcomed us very warmly and were told to make ourselves at home. Greeted with the words “” which means peace be with you.
At this church, the men enter through the front door and sit on the left side, while the women enter through a side door and sit on the right side. Walking in, all eyes were on Alyssa and I — it’s basically impossible to be subtle when you’re a white person in a foreign country. We sat in the back with Black Beauty, quickly pulled to the front row so that we could witness the culture up front. Very very kind. But we were actually pulled to the front row for other reasons I’ve now realized, reasons of the Lord.
We got to worship in Setswana, not knowing what I was singing – only knowing I was glorifying Jesus. Alyssa and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to experience worship in this new culture. We would sit, hear a few words we didn’t understand, then stand again and sing. Because we couldn’t understand we just referred to spending that time in our Bibles.
About halfway through the 2 hour service a woman named Kebabope Malobola sitting behind us started to TENSLY TENSLY jerk her body uncontrollably. Something evil was clearly in control of her. I witnessed something right behind me that was NOT of Jesus. The woman grabbed on the those around her including me trying to gain control. All the worship around me went silent. All I could hear was this woman’s intense breathing, every breath like a cry of pain and anguish. My heart grew tense, I felt something evil. Alyssa and I’s reaction was to pray, I have never prayed so deeply in my life, so intentionally, so fearfully. I had a literal puddle of tears on my feet and then on the bench. I do not know how to put in to words what was going on with Kebabope other than fear and pain. She was not in control. The congregation continued to worship and pray. The women around Kebabope fanned her, held her hands and prayed. Alyssa and I joined. Praying for the armor of God to cover us and for the joy, love and freedom of Jesus to replace these evil spirits.
About 15 minutes later another woman named Boitumeto Kebusitse came forward to be prayed over, actually she was carried forward. She was limp, also not in control of her body, but instead of uncontrollably moving like Kebabope, Boitumeto wasn’t moving. This poor sweet woman is also clearly possessed by something not of Jesus. Clearly not comfortable, and in fear. Never have I EVER witnessed an evil spirit at work like this, all I felt was my heart being tightened, all I could do was pray, but my words have no strength or meaning if I don’t myself strongly believe that Jesus can heal. I am nothing without Him, my words had to come from the Lord. So Alyssa and I started praying scriptures aloud while church continued.
The episodes began to stop as church ended, one of the woman that helped Alyssa and I understand the service escorted us out and then filled us in on what was happening. Kebabope and Boitumeto are indeed possessed by something evil, the church has a group of women that pray over and care for them. We asked if we could pray over and speak to them. When they came out of the church we asked a few questions about the episodes. Apparently it depends on the mood of the church of how strong each episode is. I believe that it is the evil trembling in them based on how strong the Spirit of Jesus is in that space. These women are brave; evil has attacked them each and every Sunday for more than the past TWO YEARS. And YET, they continue to come back to church. Alyssa and I held their hands and prayed a prayer of healing and for the evil to leave in the name of Jesus.
We will continue to pray. I will continue to process what just happened.
We do not have to be afraid.
“You will have trouble in this world but take heart as I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
We are clothed with the armor of God, we have been equipped cast evil spirits out of these women.
Jesus cast evil spirits out of many many people. We can too through Him.
Spiritually I know exactly what happened. Physically I have no clue what I feel… weak, strong, tired, alive – no clue. Emotionally I don’t know what to feel… fearful, brave, sad, remain joyful – genuinely no clue. I feel fearful because I have never seen evil be so powerful, yet joyful because I am the daughter of a God SO much more powerful than evil. I have never experienced something like this. I have never been able to fight so boldly against the enemy. I would not have been able to do so if my Father wasn’t so great, so powerful, so loving, so forgiving.
Jesus makes the darkness tremble.
please join Alyssa, our team and I in praying for these women. The power of prayer is the most powerful thing we have access to. The more praying the better.
I love you all.
joyfully,
Kell
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