Pastors Johnson Odoyo and Amos Komanya recently completed another fruitful two-week ministry among the Hadzabe bush people. Among the many testimonies from this visit was a powerful account of healing, deliverance and forgiveness.
When the missionaries arrived, they found several adult men lying on the ground, severely ill and suffering from similar symptoms. As it was their custom, Johnson and Amos laid hands on the sick and began to pray. As they prayed, they sensed that these were not ordinary illnesses but manifestations of a curse. In the name of the Lord Jesus, they broke the curses. Almost immediately the men stood up, healed, and gave glory to God.
This led to an important conversation and investigation: where had these curses come from? The answer revealed a deeper spiritual issue. The Hadzabe people, though now turning toward the Lord, come from a long history of animistic practices. Certain traditions remain difficult to abandon. One such practice involves blessing those who meet communal expectations while cursing those who do not – curses believed to bring real harm, including sickness.
A church structure had recently been built in the bush, accessible to multiple Hadzabe settlements. All of those living in each settlement were invited to attend Sunday worship, but some young men chose to go hunting instead. This decision was viewed as unacceptable, and curses were spoken over those who missed the gathering.
Johnson and Amos treated the situation as a teaching opportunity. After the afflicted men were healed, they patiently instructed the believers that God’s way is to bless those who disappoint us, not curse them. As a result, forgiveness was both sought and freely given.
Once again, what the enemy intended for harm was turned into good, bringing glory to God.
