Nihila handed her husband a pair of scissors, and he hesitantly began cutting off the rolls of her hair that signified her devotion to the goddess Kali. Nihila, a renowned witch doctor in her village, had made a decision to follow Jesus.
Nihila had slowly gained power over the past 15 years from her worship of the goddess of death and destruction, Kali. Her witchcraft could heal people and deliver them from demon possession. She became well known throughout her village.
But when her son, Balji, met Gospel for Asia missionary Chelliah, he was interested in his message. Balji invited Pastor Chelliah to hold prayer meetings in his family’s home.
Nihila did not attend the meetings, but she couldn’t help but hear about the people who were being healed and delivered at this cottage meeting—by Pastor Chelliah’s God. However, anti-Christian groups forced the meetings to end for a time. But by then, Balji had a strong faith in Jesus.
When the persecution grew life-threatening, the Lord provided four Bible college students to join Pastor Chelliah for six months. With their help, the prayer meeting began again. This time, Nihila came. But the goddess Kali’s strong hold on her kept her from staying. She began asking the goddess to allow her to attend the meeting—or else to end the meeting again.
It seemed as though the latter took place when Balji suddenly moved away. But soon afterward, Nihila’s husband became paralyzed. This time, instead of turning to Kali, they asked Balji to come, and he called Pastor Chelliah. They prayed and the Lord healed her husband. Following the miracle, Nihila had a dream about Jesus.
Early the next morning, she decided to cut off her rolled hair, declaring an end to her devotion to Kali. At the same time, she decided to follow Jesus—no matter the consequences. Her whole family joined her in her decision. Pray that they will grow in the Lord and influence many to follow Him.
Kali
Traditionally portrayed as black and wearing only a necklace of skulls and a skirt made of severed human arms, Kali is the goddess of death and destruction. In Hindu tradition, she is the wife of Shiva, the destroyer god. She is believed to abide in cremation grounds.