Witch Doctor Saved and Healed
They tried to force her to deny Christ but she refused to, despite the multiple beatings that took place outside, in plain sight.
In northern Vietnam, there was a female witch doctor in her sixties, who sacrificed animals regularly so the evil spirits would answer her repeated prayers. There was only ever silence, but that didn’t stop her continual efforts to get the spirits’ attention. Then one day, the witch doctor became very sick and soon after, her husband fell victim to the same illness. Nothing the doctors did could make them well. Then someone told her about Jesus and His amazing healing power. She put her faith in Him and immediately became well. Her failing eyesight healed and her health was suddenly much better. Word of the miracle and her salvation spread quickly through her family and community. Those who heard her powerful testimony believed as well, and they sought out Jesus for themselves. Her radical transformation and life changing testimony did not sit well with local authorities. They tried to force her to deny Christ but she refused to, despite the multiple beatings that took place outside, in plain sight. When she wouldn’t back down, the authorities took her children and demanded they too turn their back on Jesus, but those kids stood faithful to the Lord like their mother, even when the youngest child was beaten on and off for three days. The persecution in this area remains ongoing, but the Lord is ever faithful. The one-time witch doctor, turned child of God, now lives in an area that has more than 150,000 people who serve the Lord with one hundred percent committed hearts. The persecution these Christians face only strengthens their resolve to show others the love of Christ.
In Hebrews 12:1 – 2, we read: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us and let us run with endurance, the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who, for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The decision to follow Christ is the first step. Enduring the race to the glorious finish line is no small feat. Fixing our eyes on the Lord and understanding that he suffered first for our sins is the only way to run with abandon.
