“But after prayers …”
I frequently hear this phrase coming from Pastor Johnson Odoyo in our conversations.
In mid-October, the Tanzania AC Conference held a weekend youth convention, inviting all their participating churches to attend. Attendance was down this year due to a prolonged drought that has elevated prices while at the same time decreasing personal income. With only 27 registered attendees, they decided to cancel some activities and instead focus on evangelism. They sent everyone out in teams on Saturday afternoon to be door-to-door evangelists, taking the good news to every open ear.
Johnson’s team arrived at a door that was willingly opened to them. Upon entering the house they explained their purpose in coming, shared the message of salvation and new life in Jesus Christ to all who believe. Then they invited their hosts to surrender their lives to the Lord and further asked if they had any special requests for prayer. Hesitantly, they mentioned another member of their family who was not present – Evelyn.
Evelyn had been married with one child, but five years ago all of that changed when she was stricken with malaria. This sickness caused rare side effects such as hearing loss, decline in speech skills and loss of a sense of reasoning. Her husband could not handle the mental illness and separated from her, taking their son with him. She was returned to her parents who took her to doctors without success. They turned to traditional medicine, trying various witchdoctors as well. Spells were cast, ointments were applied and strange concoctions were consumed but her condition remained the same.
No one could do anything for Evelyn. Embarrassed by her unkempt appearance and senseless stammering, they hid her away in the back room of their tiny house to keep visitors from seeing her … until this moment.
Pastor Johnson Odoyo asked for Evelyn to come out. When he began to pray for her, she fell unconscious to the floor where she remained for some time. Demons that had claimed her now came out of her as Johnson steadfastly remained in prayer. Evelyn finally regained consciousness and began looking around her with obvious confusion. They helped her back to her room after which there were more prayers. Then, unexpectedly, Evelyn returned to the front of the house on her own. She was crying tears of great joy, for she could hear again. She thanked God with her own voice, putting thoughts together in coherent sentences.
Evelyn was healed.
News of this miracle spread quickly around the neighborhood, and many first-timers came to the church the following day. The Holy Spirit moved among the congregation, and many responded, coming forward for prayer. Some were set free from the powers of darkness. Others were married couples who confessed sins of betrayal and promiscuity. They held hands, asked forgiveness and further renewed their vows of faithfulness to one another.
As God continues to glorify himself, we are reminded of Acts 2:43, “And awe came upon every soul.”
