We went to their house for dinner so they could help two short-term workers be better prepared to learn and serve in their country of origin. We were expecting cultural revelations, but we came away with a story of God’s greatness.
Maneesha is
a beautiful Mauritian woman, with a devoted husband and gorgeous baby
girl. But her life has not always been easy. Growing up, her father
was a witch doctor, a man whose life was destined to be changed. One day,
Maneesha’s brother grew sick with a strange illness which lasted a long time.
Each time the boy reached for his school bag, he would fall down as though
dead. This didn’t happen once in a while, but for 4-5 years. During
that time, Maneesha herself became ill with half her face in perpetual
pain. Illness haunted the boy, then Maneesha, then her aunt, and finally Maneesha’s
father.
Desperate,
they visited doctor after doctor – good ones, renowned for their skill.
Then the visits to the witch doctors started. “It was scary,” Maneesha
said, her eyes burning brightly. “We would watch as animals were
sacrificed, their blood spilt. But nothing changed. We remained
sick.”
Then her
father met a man of God, who came to their home to pray. Maneesha’s
father would not give in easily and their conversation turned to debate.
But then something happened. “Okay,” her father said. “I give
in. I will follow Jesus.”
From that
day forward the family was healed, and together, they turned to Jesus.
This is
Maneesha’s story, but by God’s grace, it could also be the story of many others
trapped in darkness and despair, bound to lifeless, impotent, immobile idols which
do nothing to bring hope and salvation and joy. They need Jesus, the
life-giver, healer, protector, saviour.
Will you be
a part of bringing change to the Maneesha’s of the world?
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