We have had two ministry days so far here in our remote city we are in. Both times we have gone out into different parts of a village and prayed for blessing and healing over the local people people. It is almost a door to door type ministry, except there is no knocking. People are so eager for us to come pray for them they are waiting at their front doors for us. There is generally a large group of kids following us making a lot of noise. Everyone knows when we are coming.
At first glance this eagerness sounds very exciting, people being so open to receive us and hear what we have to say. The problem is they think we as foreigners are “The Blessed Ones” and want us to come pray for their sick child to bring healing to them. I almost feel like they are treating us like their messiah. They think that our prayers are more powerful than theirs, that God will listen to us better then He will them. We haven’t really known how to react to this and just simply try to pray for them. It makes it difficult not to send a mixed message. We are only there to try and show them Christ’s love. Encourage them to continue following their faith. Show them the power of prayer that we ALL have as Christians.
Today was especially difficult for me. I got pulled off to the side with the pastor to go to a families home who were not believers. They were all drunks and wanted us to pray for them to help them with their drinking problem.
One of the guys seemed very serious about it, and after talking to him for a couple minutes he sounded like he truly wanted to repent and turn to Jesus, to accept salvation. This man wasn’t the only one who wanted to “repent” to the Americans though, and soon all the men started fighting and arguing over who was next. They started pushing each other around and we left before it turned into a fist fight.
I had been feeling an uneasiness this whole time, and I realized as I was leaving there was a strong demonic presence there.
When we left the pastor said that he was pretty sure the men had only been mocking us this whole time and hadn’t meant anything they said.
This was very frustrating because I had gone from feeling like I was about to lead someone to Christ. Then have to leave to avoid being involved in a fist fight. And realize he was probably demon possessed.
I left feeling a very heavy presence. As if I had not been ready for that, and opened my self up for attack from the enemy. It really showed me how important it is to be ready. To put on the armor of God before hand, and pray for protection from things like that.
