Written by Africa/Europe Area Director Bryce Whiting

TANZANIA – Perhaps you had read of a witch and her snake falling under the power of God. If not, you can read that story HERE. The witch’s name is Lydia, and she came with a large snake under her robe that she purposed to use as a weapon against these evangelists from God. She also came with power given her by other witches of her coven. As she walked forward she met a power unlike any other she had ever confronted. She fell to the ground unconscious. The brothers quickly came forward and prayed over her. The snake tried to flee and was killed. The readers were asked to pray for this young lady, and I have since called several times to check on her progress. She has indeed been delivered from horrible demons and has testified that if God loves her this much to forgive her of the things she has done, then THIS would be the God she would serve.

Lydia has been attending Bible studies and prayer times. She loves being with the people of God, finding a peace within each of them she is only beginning to understand.

My last conversation with Pastor Johnson Odoyo went like this:

(Me) – “Tell me about Lydia. Is she still following the Lord?”

(Johnson) – “Yes! She loves studying the Bible and she loves prayer. She is with us now.”

I was on the phone with Johnson at 11:00 PM in Tanzania time. Surely, he could not mean that she was actually in his house?

(Me) – “I am not sure what you mean, Johnson. Is she in your house now?”

(Johnson) – “Yes! She goes to her hut during the day but it is not safe for her to be there at night. At night she comes to be with us.”

(Me) – Johnson, tell me if I am getting this right. Her former friends were other witches. Have her friends now become her enemies who also threaten her at night?”

(Johnson) – “Yes! At night they gather outside her house and threaten her. They curse her with their power, so she comes to stay with us. None of the spells or curses have had any effect on her or on us.”

(Me) – “The church is acting like the Lord Jesus who said, ‘I am the door.’ and ‘I lay down my life for the sheep’. (Mt. 10: 9,15). The shepherd would construct a fold out of rocks and leave an opening as a door. The good shepherd would then lay his own life down at that opening. Any enemy with evil intent to reach the sheep would be forced to go through the shepherd first. The church in Tanzania is doing that very thing for Lydia.”

(Johnson) – “That is good teaching.”

Prayer – “Lord, protect Lydia. Grow her up and teach her to protect others in your strength.”

Amen