Help! We're in Culture Shock!
Last week I was called by our fellow missionary, Dan Been, to help mediate in a scandal that sent shock waves through the church here in Nampula. It happened that one of the most respected native leaders, while having been married for 14 years, had hidden affairs that occurred during 2003-2004 with three sisters of another family. Two of the sisters as well as their dad have been ill for some time. One of them went to a witch-doctor with her mother-in-law and was told that she was sick because she had slept with the man her sisters had also slept with. When all this became known to the family, several church leaders became involved, and under pressure to solve the family crisis agreed to call in a traditional “healer” (witch-doctor) who would mix up something for them all to drink. They believe a special kind of sickness would result from one man having slept with three sisters of the same family (versus women from separate families). This is superstition. This is not purely an herbalist, but one who requests the ancestors for their blessing of protection during their journey and for a cure of the sick person. At the door of the sick family’s house, this “healer” had brewed a concoction of special leaves, part of a chicken’s foot, and other things. They all drank it but did not improve. It was at this point that our fellow missionary was finally notified.
A meeting was called of the pastors of the city. The leader committing adultery agreed to the discipline of not being able to teach for a period of time. But, all the leaders still maintained that the “healer” was only using an herbal remedy from their traditional medicine.
Witch-craft and Cowardice Exposed. The next night I was able to sit down with two leaders and step them through some scriptural principles to discern where and how healing takes place for the spirit, soul, and body. I even mentioned the superstition of the 1700’s that most likely killed George Washington, that of bleeding the patient to let the sickness out. After reading Revelation 21:8 – “but the cowards…”, they began to question if in fact they hadn’t given in to superstition and brought in one who in fact requests demonic powers for the cure versus them seeking God in first place (Is 8:19). They also came to see they had acted out of cowardice when no one spoke to question the witch-doctor idea to begin with.
Discipline. At a later meeting, the leaders decided to be disciplined by stepping out of leadership for one month. This is very important as almost all so called Christians in this culture will run to a “healer” as a last resort, bringing themselves under demonic powers and usually not getting well. Later we met with some city pastors who also recognized and turned from the previous claim that the witch-doctor was simply an herbalist. Other meetings set up by Dan Been were held to bring spiritual healing and to reconcile the relationships broken by adultery.
Public Repentance. In the end, the adulterer and the ones who called the “healer” all participated in a public repentance in the Sunday meeting according to Paul’s instruction in 1 Timothy 5:20 – “Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.” Dan Been and I were asked to preach at the Sunday meeting and to aid the Mozambicans in steering this. This is one of the first times a public repentance and discipline like this has ever occurred here. Please pray with us that God will continue to purify His Bride here and that strong churches be planted.
The president of Good News for Africa (our mission agency) recently wrote us saying: “I still hear the words of a veteran missionary who advised me after hearing of all my plans for the next few years. He said, ‘On your first term don’t worry about getting a lot done, just get yourself situated to a point where you can work well on your second term.’ Wise words! I didn’t exactly heed them and as a result produced a lot of expectations and stress on myself because I was unrealistic. Get to know the lay of the land – physically and spiritually and develop some good friendships…”
Some missionaries have commented that this is one of the most difficult place to live in and to minister to spiritually. We thank God He has allowed us to enter this place. It is now even more evident how important it will be for us to start learning the Makua language. In February through July of 2009 we plan on relocating temporarily where Melissa and I will study full-time in a course designed to teach us Makua culture and language.
Thanks for your prayers and partnership in the work here among the Makua,
Hugs from the Madduxes.
