Just Another Day at Church

I grasp my hands together tighter as I desperately try to keep the flailing woman somewhat still and upright as she forcefully attempts to knock herself, me, and several others down on the dirt floor of the small church in Chabwino (a chinyanja word meaning "it is good"). She's probably around my age, but much smaller. At that moment she seemed to have the strength of 10 people though. Luckily she was more interested in taunting us than escaping. And by "she" I don't actually mean the woman who is named Prisca, I mean the demonic spirits who have taken over her body.

Demon possession and exorcism may seem more like topics for horror movies to many Americans, but having grown up in Africa demons manifesting in church seem as normal to me as flowers blooming in spring. Prisca isn't a member of our small church in Chabwino. A friend had convinced her to come since we had a special guest worship leader, Keswel Malimba, who thanks to Namwianga radio has become popular in the area. We had a powerful service and the pastor invited those with special needs to come forward for prayer. Prisca along with dozens of others came forward. She knew she was possessed and came forward to ask for deliverance. As soon as Keswel started praying for her I guess in a sense literally "all hell broke lose."

Because dealing with demon possession in a Bible believing African church becomes so routine we have it down to a science. Our faithful members spring into action to help. If it's a woman she probably has a baby tied to her back who needs to be removed and cared for first of all. Sound easy enough but when the woman has supernatural strength and is flailing around it takes a few people. We need the men for their strength. You would never believe how strong these people get unless you've experienced it. We need the women because of the modesty issues. Women tie chitenge material at the bottom of the woman's skirt to try to keep it from riding up. They also wrap chitenge material around the woman's waist to keep her stomach from being exposed. Woman push down the woman's knees and thighs to keep her from hurting herself or others and also to keep her from getting away. Men hold the woman by her arms desperately trying to keep her somewhat still.

By the end of it I sat down with Prisca who was visibly shaken by the experience. I asked her in my broken Tonga about her life. She thanked me for casting out the demons and asked if I'd be in prayer for her family. She told me she was going to become our member and be in church every Sunday and that she wanted me to pray that her husband would agree to start coming with her. She thanked me, we shared some chibwantu (a genius drink made from water, maize porridge, and a root called munkoyo), and then she went home.

There were over a hundred people in our tiny little church on Sunday. Our church 6 months ago had 20 people on a good Sunday. It's been so encouraging to be a part of it. I also thank God that although we still deal with plenty of demon possessed people they are nearly always visitors and not our members. I think we are doing something right and the people are learning a life given completely to Jesus is the best way to live.