(Pictured: Dennis Aggrey (R) and Willie Johnson (L) show the minister's quarters under construction at the Konia Christian Revival Fellowship Church in Lofa County, Liberia)
During the day Dennis and his team worked on church construction and in the evening they would drive to a neighboring town, set up a generator with lights (the only light in the village, which really drew a crowd) and preached from the back of the truck. The six towns were reached for follow-up in the first six nights. For several months Dennis had been praying for a miracle to demonstrate God’s power over the witchdoctors (“Zoors”).
On the 5th night a man named Sayzaya asked to speak with Dennis privately after hearing him preach from his truck. He watched the Jesus film in his native tongue (Lorma) when Dennis’ team first traveled in January. He had believed all that he had seen and heard, but said he would not be seen in church or publicly identify with Christians. When Dennis asked why, he stated that he was a prominent person in the town and the culture would not be accepting of it.
In the interior of Liberia, each tribe has a man who is referred to as a “mask devil” or “bush devil” that has absolute power over all authorities in the society. They speak languages that can only be interpreted by a specially “gifted” person. Sayzaya was the devil’s interpreter in this district. He is also the mediator between the zoors and elders of the town and known to be an alcoholic.
Dennis sat and talked with Sayzaya telling him that if he would give his life to Christ it would not be easy, but he and his team would be there to help him and shared with him the Scripture that says “Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world”. Sayzaya said Dennis didn’t understand, but faithfully came every afternoon for Dennis’ team to pray for him behind closed doors.
On Sunday Dennis was sitting in the front of the church and didn’t notice that Sayzaya had snuck in to sit at the back. At the close of the service the worship leader asked if anyone had a testimony to share. To Dennis’ surprise it was Sayzaya’s voice he heard from the back through hot tears. Everyone in the congregation was shocked that he would even come to church; some had been laughing and thought he was drunk. Sayzaya said he had decided to follow Jesus even though it might cost him his life. After the service Dennis’ team again prayed for him, this time in public.
The next day an elderly man from the town came to the church where Dennis was working and asked what he had done to Sayzaya. The man had asked Sayzaya to come drinking with him and he refused. When the man asked why, Sayzaya said he should ask Dennis, so he came to find out what happened; an opening to share Christ with him. The elderly man didn’t make a commitment to Jesus that day, but said if Sayzaya was serious about this he too would join the church.
Later a government official from Monrovia came to campaign for the upcoming election and had to meet with the elders and people of the town. He offered the elders expensive liquor. Part of Sayzaya’s role as mediator was to pour the liquor, taste it and then offer it to the elders. That day, Sayzaya poured the liquor, refused to drink it and gave it directly to the elders. When they asked why he wasn’t drinking he stated in this public meeting that he wouldn’t drink anymore because he was now a Christian. Everything came to a standstill.
From that day many people began to attend the 6:30 a.m devotion along with Sayzaya. That‘s the miracle Dennis prayed for that drew people to Christ. Prayers must continue as Sayzaya will undoubtedly face persecution and possible trial. A pillar of the traditional culture has been removed; that will not be easily forgiven.
No comments:
Post a Comment