By H, an Alliance worker serving in the North and Central Asia Region
One of the new sisters in our congregation, Sally*, has had a great burden—her rebellious teenage son.
About four years ago, this mom went to a fortuneteller to have her son’s name, birthdate, and hometown inscribed on a thin, rectangular piece of bark. She carved the stick from a 100-year-old “sacred” tree.
Sally placed the stick back in the tree, since the fortuneteller claimed this would bring her son health, success, and good luck. This is a common practice among members of Sally’s minority group in the area where my wife and I have served the past three years.
Repairing the Damage
After Sally became a Christian, she wanted to find the tree so she could remove the inscribed piece of bark. She now knew this practice was detestable to God; she also sensed the damaging effects of this act upon her son, who had become defiant and distant.
Upon her request, my wife, daughter, coworker, and I went with her one day this past spring to locate this ancient tree. Unfortunately, Sally remembered only that the tree was located in an old town in a mountainous area.
This Is the One!
After driving for about three hours, we reached the remote town. With the help of locals who gave us directions and after climbing many steep slopes, we found the tree on the edge of a river’s bank.
It was appalling to see the sheer numbers of inscribed sticks stuck in the ancient tree and lying on the ground around it. Failing to find her son’s stick, Sally pulled out a sickle, which she used to cut away the growth to help in her search.
“I believe this is the one!” she finally exclaimed, showing us a piece of bark she had pulled from the trunk. Although some of the words inscribed on it had become blurred with the passage of time, we identified her son’s name and their family’s hometown.
Prayer of Cleansing
Once Sally pulled her son’s stick from the tree, we prayed for its cleansing. We also prayed for the cleansing of all the sticks we had found, believing they were cursed by an evil spirit.
Together we read the Ten Commandments, proclaiming the Holy name of our God—our only God—over them.
We then collected all of the sticks. Holding them tightly, I climbed down the river bank and flung them into the river, shouting, “Hallelujah!” We then clapped our hands with great joy, sensing we had just won a spiritual battle (see Ephesians 6:12).
We found the tree so its curse could become a blessing.
Sally finally has a good relationship with her son, who has become more approachable and is willing to attend the church with the family. We praise God that she also has dedicated him to the Lord.
*Name changed
Pray
Praise God that the curse was broken over this young man! Pray for the blessing to continue surrounding him, that he will turn to Christ, and that God will use him mightily. Please also intercede for boldness, wisdom, and strength for the team as we proclaim the good news in this spiritually dark area.