Last month I spent the first two weeks in a remote village right outside of Butere, Kenya. When we arrived we were greeted by Pastor John. As we drove down the dirt road approaching the village so many things crossed my mind as I attempted to envision what I would I would be experiencing. We pulled up to the home and were welcomed by Pastor John’s wife (Mama J), and their children. Their home was cozy and very inviting…in spite of no electricity and squatty potties it was perfect!
After a few days of being there I bonded with Mama J and we spend a lot of time together. We had “girl talks”, bible study, beauty days where I would paint her nails and braid her hair, and cooking lessons in the kitchen. She even talked me into slaughtering a chicken for our dinner one night. Those of you who know me know that is a serious stretch for me, and yes for the record I was super diva about it…BUT I did it haha! I also bonded with several of the women in the village, many of them came and got their hair done which gave a great opportunity for fellowship.
As we dove into ministry we quickly discovered that spiritual oppression was not an uncommon theme in Kenya, several people we encountered where under the bondage of witchcraft. One particular situation stands out. The owner of the hotel we stayed at each time we travel to Nairobi (the capital of Kenya) bonded with me over the course of the month. She shared that her mother was under heavy bondage from witchcraft, so she asked myself and her pastor to go with her and pray over her mother and her mothers home.
When we arrived her mother started telling us what had been happening, and the stories were bazaar, legitimate assignments to kill her and her livestock. So we began to worship in the house singing there is power in the blood, then we prayed for her mother, pastor prayed in Swahili, and I prayed in English after praying they asked me what the Holy Spirit said or showed me, and it was the exact same thing Pastor was saying in Swahili…yea Jesus. I then read a verse The Lord laid on my heart for the woman “the Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed psalm 103:6” A few days later I got a praise report that The Lord had fulfilled psalm 103:6!!!
Pastor John and Mama J gave me the African name “Wibo” which means brave, fearless, favored one. Everywhere we went that is how they introduced me, so Wibo it was! The name was very fitting because last month I watched the movie After Earth with Will and Jaden Smith, and I love the angle it presents about fear and how it’s a choice, and particularly how when the enemy is toe to toe with us and we are fearless he is defeated!
The Lord has called us all to be a “Wibo” in the kingdom…fearless, brave, and favored!
…I am Wibo
