Remember happiness is a way of travel not a destination...

Here in Africa “traditional healers” (often referred to as witch doctors) keep in touch with ancestors and find out why bad things are happening - and who is doing it.  Misfortune is not a matter of chance but is associated with angry ancestor spirits or witches.  If someone dies, or is sick, if lightning strikes, if there is a famine or a flood, if a child is born with a disability (or even when twins are born) it is believed to be caused by angry ancestors and witchcraft.

Ancestors who normally protect a family can withdraw if they are upset by someone in the family. It is believed that everyone will eventually be harmed by a witch.  Witches are almost always a neighbor, and jealousy is typically at the root.  In Africa where there is often no explanation for sudden death (cancer or heart disease) and little germ knowledge to account for sudden illness, witchcraft is an acceptable explanation. 

After an issue arrises the traditional healer usually consults with a herbalist to make the “potion.”  This can include rare lizard fat, crocodile liver, snake skin, beetles and even body parts such as hair, nail clippings, etc. 

Any jealousy, success, harsh words or bad behavior may arouse suspicion.  Even if a relative fails to attend a funeral, it may be seen as suspicious and cause reason to believe the absent guest is guilty of having caused the death.  Witchcraft is often suspected for unexplained phenomenon. Family quarrels are one of the surest ways to evoke rage from the ancestors. Thus keeping peace in the home is a huge preoccupation among all family members.  Unfortunately, the mentally ill are often accused of being a witches.

Why am I am telling you this?  Because unfortunately we had the experience of dealing  with a newly baptized family experiencing these trials.  The mother was clearly schizophrenic and needs medication, which we will get her this week.  The whole family has been ravaged by this woman’s mental illness for the past 7 years.  She wakes them up early in the morning screaming that their father is cheating on her and they are sinful children.  They had hoped that “baptism” would be the “cure” - they are a wonderful family, and we are hoping and praying that we can help.  Unfortunately she is caught up in the belief that someone is “angering their ancestors.”   While culture and tradition can be a powerful positive asset, breaking past negative traditions can be tricky for sure.

Again today we dealt with it again from a wonderful returned missionary that teaches at the MTC.  His mother drank gasoline and poured it in the room and lit herself on fire.  She had colon cancer and was receiving chemotherapy for it but her relatives were angry that she was receiving "western medicine" instead of tribal treatments.  She became so tormented because her grandmother told her she had turned away from her calling as a “traditional healer” and her ancestors were angry with her. She feared them hurting her 25 year old son or 15 year old daughter - so she took her own life.  What a tragedy.  This wonderful young man wept in Taylor’s arms for more than 15 minutes - feeling so alone, scared, and weighed down with these added pressures - financial and emotionally.  While sobbing in Taylor’s arms he kept asking God to help him “endure to the end” and for the strength to care for his sister. What a remarkable young man.  We are going to see him tomorrow - I sincerely hope we can help him some way.


I don't think it was just a coincidence that we were given a book, "African Magic" by a wonderful couple on our arrival here.  We both had just finished reading it.  This helped us be more prepared and understand what we would face this week.  It truly was a "tender mercy" from our Heavenly Father.

Africa is a huge continent with a diversity of culture and languages.  Africa is not simple--often people want to simplify it, generalize it and stereotype it.  Once you have been here you begin to realize that. We are just beginning to learn - I hope Heavenly Father will bless us with the ability to understand and feel the depth of their pain and see - and show them a brighter hope for tomorrow.