Caring for the Harvest

It was after midnight when Pastor James heard the visitors outside his door. When he opened it, light from within spilled into the night and on the troubled young man who stood there. Beside the man were his mother and two believers who'd encouraged her to request prayer for her son.

Manik's story was indeed a dark one. He already had a reputation throughout town for his violence. There were 18 murder cases pending against him in the local courts. Even the police hesitated to confront this young man, as he had been known to single-handedly overturn their jeeps. He was out of control, and no one wanted to go near him.

But now members of this tribal community had decided to take matters into their own hands. Their lives were already entwined in religious rituals that involved sacrifices, chants and prayers to appease the wrath of the gods. Dreading the reprisal of their deities, they worshiped out of fear. Now they would use witchcraft to focus the spirits' rage toward Manik—perhaps that would stop him.

As a result, the young man's life had become a hellish existence. Manik was physically ill. He suffered from hallucinations. "I was tormented by demons," he recalls. "I would feel like my throat was choking and I could not sleep. I felt as though worms were crawling over my body. Whatever was given to me for eating would taste like sand. I would scream at night."

Manik's mother took him to numerous witch doctors and anyone she could find who might help her son. But all attempts to find relief for him failed; in the end, she was right back where she started. Then one day two believers visited her, told her about Jesus' power to deliver, and brought her and Manik to Pastor James.

James welcomed Manik and his mother in, and thus began a three-day spiritual battle. James, his wife, Sara, and the believers stayed with the young man. They dug in their heels and prayed, interceding on Manik's behalf and taking authority over the forces of darkness. Ultimately, the young man was totally restored by the power of God.

Manik describes what it was like to experience freedom from his spiritual bondage on that third day: "By early morning at 4:00 I was able to sleep, and while I was closing my eyes, I realized I was being released from those demonic powers within me. When I got up in the morning, I was totally normal. I was completely delivered from any kind of power that had control over me."

Manik now knew without a doubt that the living God had authority over all other gods. He confessed his sins and surrendered his life to the lordship of Jesus Christ. The change that took place in Manik's life couldn't have been more radical. "I believe my death was certain if I had not met the pastor that night," he says. "The torment was so great that I was no longer able to take it."

Then, too, Manik remembers his life as a criminal. "I was despised because of my past life. I had done all the bad things on earth a man can do. But when the Lord saved me, He changed my life totally. Now I am not doing what I used to do, and I am doing what people said I would not be doing. It is a new beginning, a rebirth."

Townspeople were amazed by the incredible transformation among them. Even the police testified to the changes in Manik's life. Every single court case against him was dropped, and he reports joyfully that "since Jesus has forgiven me, all the people have forgiven me of my past sins as well." As a result of his testimony in the community, three families, also bound by witchcraft, were liberated through the power of Christ and gave their lives to Jesus.

It has been 10 years since that night. Manik is now married and is actively involved in the work of the local church. His encounter with Pastor James undoubtedly marked a turning point in the history of his life. That late-night introduction was a significant moment for the native missionary as well, for that was the time when James' church began to experience real growth.