BYM ONLINE DESK Blessing Oct 2019 English Emagazine | Page 6

Persecutor Becomes A Preacher
In remote tribal areas of Odisha, people still
hold on to nature-worship and sorcery. 'Gurumayi' or
the witch doctor is considered to be a feared person.
She is said to have unseen powers and people believe
that she can cast spells and bring down curses. People
in this particular part of the world still believe
'gurumayi' more than the general physician. This is
part of their tradition and culture. She is a guide for
the people and is held in high honour. But this is a
false religious system and is filled with several blind
beliefs. Sometimes, the gurumayi demands a hefty
amount and at other times she may even ask for
animal sacrifices.
On one such occastion, missionaries of
Blessing Youth Mission happened to visit a village
where such practices were prevalent. They preached
the Good News of Jesus Christ and the new life that
He promises to anyone who believes in Him.
Although the people received the Good News with
much interest, the local 'gurumayi' strongly opposed
the missionaries. The missionaries left the place
immediately. When they visited the next time, the
gurumayi gathered a crowd and threatened our
missionaries. She also threatened the people who
came to hear the Good News. She cursed the
missionaries and told the villagers that the cattle of
that village have started to die because of the
missionaries.
On one particular day, the 'gurumayi's neck
became swollen and she suffered a lot. On the same
day her cow died of a lightning strike. On hearing her
plight, one believer shared the Good News of Jesus
Christ with her. The gurumayi was convicted of her
wrong doing and repented of her illtreatement of the
missionaries. She met the missionaries and invited
them to preach in their village and requested them to
pray for her. The missionaries were astonished by
this sudden turn of events. They visited her and
prayed for her. By the grace of God, the gurumayi
was healed.
Her eyes were opened and she started to see the
truth clearly. After her transformation, she started to
preach in her own style to the village people. This
became a great testimony in that area. More people
are now being added to their church. A church
building is coming up in her village.
Praise God that He still transforms Saul to
Paul!
All Glory to Him alone!
www.bymonline.org | October 2019 | Page 6