All three of these are a real thing in Zambia. All three we experienced during our time here, but there is one truth that overcomes them all: Jesus has the power to break every chain.
Disease
Clinics and hospitals are overcrowded with people in need of medical care- adults with HIV, babies with malaria, children and infants with overgrown heads and abnormal body extensions to name a few. Our team was given the opportunity to visit with these people, offer encouragement, prayers and Scripture to speak hope into the lives and bodies taken over by disease and dysfunction. It is hard because I do not want to declare healing in someone’s life. I am not God and do not know their future, but I always pray for physical healing within God’s will and for peace and comfort that surpasses understanding. It blows my mind that we are able to come in without ID or filling out any paperwork and minister to the patients freely. This would never happen in our American hospitals.
Detainment
We walk in through what I refer to as the Wizard of Oz door (you know the big green one with a small door and peep hole). We go through multiple locked doorways before we enter the common area for all the prisoners. All around you are cells you know hold the people standing in front of you who have committed crimes with varying degrees of punishment. They are gathered and start with some worship. This shocked me, but the crowd response did not. Very few people showed genuine worship. Afterward, my teammate Andy gave an amazing on the spot quick sermon in front of 500 prisoners. The Holy Spirit must have been speaking through him because in response so many raised their hands to give their life to Jesus. If only you could have been there; it was very moving. This was the first time this church had taken teams to the prison. We hope and pray this is the start of some new relationships and future opportunities between the prison and the church.
Demons
The most interesting experience we had happened in church one afternoon.
There was a girl, about 20 years old who was standing in the church. I did not know her, the church body did not know her, and honestly, I do not think anybody noticed her; until something happened. The pastor asked us to pair off with someone for prayer. As I was finishing praying with my partner, I noticed something was going on, something loud. I can only imagine the demon manifested when someone went up to her asking if they could pray together.
Her body contorts in different ways. She grabs for throats. It takes 5-6 grown adults to hold her down. “Who are you?” the pastor asks. “What is your purpose here?” She spits and does not answer. Pastor Brian knows what he is dealing with. There is an evil spirit inside of this girl. “Come out of her in the name of Jesus. I say come out! You do not belong here.” The spirit responds, “No! I do belong here. She is gone forever.”
After some time my teammate Andy leans over and says to me he thinks they should use the oil sitting on a table. I encourage him to say something. He puts the oil on his hand and goes to touch her head. She jumps back as if someone is about to stab her with a knife. The spirit knows there is something anointing about oil. It finally touches her, and she shrieks and screams saying to Andy, “I’m going to torment you.” She does weird things with her tongue that almost seem serpent like. So many people are trying to call out the spirit, but nothing happens. We sing corporately praises to God, and she covers her ears saying, “Stop it; stop!” She heads for the exit door, but they close it before she can leave. All of this goes on for about 2 hours.
We did not see her deliverance, but once everyone left the church after service, the pastor stayed with a couple church members. After some time he walks out of the church and says she is free.
I had never seen demon possession before that day. I knew it existed; I knew it was very real. I knew I could see it on the race, and yes, I have questions- questions that I would have never thought to ask before. One thing I am absolutely certain of is that there is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain, and He continues to do just that all around the world. He is setting captives free and giving new life.
“He has sent me to bind the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1b
