John the Night Guard

Pastor Doug and his wife hired John before we came based on reference from their night guard. Since the population here is mostly Muslim (and he did not mind working on Sundays) we assumed that he was Muslim but as it turned out he was a Catholic (most "Christians" here are Catholic). He seemed like a pretty nice fellow and with an overall good demeanor. He was very excited at the idea of doing a biblical foundations course with Isaac and seems very eager to know about the bible. Then all of a sudden only a few days into our arrival he knocks on our bedroom window at 4:30am in the morning (we had instructed him that if something was wrong that he could contact us by knocking on the window). We asked what was up and he said he needed to talk. We informed him that we would not leave the house (for security reasons) and we could discuss in the morning. When we woke at 6:30am to excuse him, Fred had already let him go and said that John seemed strange and would return to speak with Isaac. That night John did not come to work nor the next. We were not really sure even why.

Finally four or so days later John shows up at our gate. He said that he had a vision from the Lord (he explained to us but still not really sure what he was saying) and he became fearful and thought maybe he should not be working for us. He apologized and said he knew what he had done was wrong and that his behavior was troubling him. At this point you just have to be lead by the Lord. Many times when there is a problem with thugs the watchman is involved but love hopes and believes in the best. We told John that we forgave him and to go home pray about it and if he was still wanting the job and willing to be faithful to come the following evening -- which he did.

We truly believe that the Lord is arranging for his employment with us to further his growth in the Lord. I feel (as i have told him) that the vision was not from the Lord but from Satan (since it cause an unholy fear and that type of fear is not from the Lord). The enemy of our souls is very present here and the stronghold of witchcraft and demonic spirits on peoples lives is much heavier than it ever was in Kenya.

When i began talking to John, I became even more convinced that Satan was trying to keep John in darkness. John expressed his desire to spend more time reading the bible so i offered him a copy to read while at work. He began asking so many good question. the kind of questions that reveal a heart that is really searching for truth and trying to filter all the information that people have told him about God and the bible.

As we began to talk I was able to tell him some of the thinks the Lord is doing in my life and to testify of the power of the Word to lead him into ALL truth. John then began to share with me about his family and up bring and how even at a very young age he refused to be part of the witchcraft that his family (mother and siblings) was involved in and how his refusal caused division and for him to be somewhat of an outcast. He told me of these dreams that he would have that allowed fear to grip his heart so much that he was fearful of the night. There were times where he would feel "invisible hands" trying to physically harm him even choke him. Many people thought including his family that he was possessed by an evil spirit and thus called a local "medican man" to slaugher a goat and preform some ritual to "cleanse" him. The really crazy part is that his family professes to be Catholic.

Just hearing John's testimony, shows me that the Lord has had a protective covering over this mans life and has a calling and purpose for him. It is no coidence that he has joined us with him. Who knows maybe we are just here for John. It is excieting to hear how John feels that the Lord is doing something to change his heart and life. Pray that the Lord will continue to use us to minister to John and that he would grow into the full victorious life we have in christ. Thanks for your prayers.