In the animistic Pnong tribe with whom we share Christ, villagers often understand sickness as a spiritual attack. Their tradition speaks of spirits that “eat souls.” When someone becomes seriously ill, many believe that a spirit is slowly eating their soul during the night. Terrifying, isn’t it?

When people face an illness like that, they are not just physically sick—they are completely terrified. Having someone in the village who can share the hope and restoration that Jesus brings becomes vital.

In our groups, most people have gone through that kind of fear. Many accepted Christ and were healed through the prayer of faith. Today, their lives are powerful testimonies to their neighbors.

But the case we share now goes even further.

MaSihuanh is an elderly woman. She and her husband spent their entire lives leading spirit ceremonies. Her husband, now deceased, was a witch doctor who specialized in making protective amulets that Pnong people wear from childhood onward to ward off evil spirits. When he passed, she left the practice. But the connection they had with the evil spirits, due to so many rituals, was strong.

Recently, MaSihuanh became very ill and began dreaming of a dark entity that grabbed her by the ankles and dragged her across the house. She woke up in terror, feeling a heavy oppression of darkness.

Desperate, she called other witch doctors to come and identify the spirit and cast it out.

On separate occasions, three different witch doctors came. All ran away.

They told her the spirit was too strong, that there was nothing they could do. This only increased her fear and hopelessness.

During this time, people she knew in her village were beginning to accept Jesus. Some of our friends from Srae Thom visited her occasionally and told her about Christ’s power over evil spirits. Desperate, she asked our church members to visit her.

A week later, our brothers and sisters from Srae Thom did so. They found her sleeping outside the house, in the open downstairs area where people keep the fire and cook. She refused to sleep inside the home because of her fear.

Some of these believers—Christians for barely a year—told her: “Let us go upstairs. Let us see what terrifies you so much. God will cast it out immediately.”

But she refused. Unless a lokkru (pastor or teacher) came, she would not allow anyone inside.

Her stance is understandable in an animistic culture. Rules, procedures and spiritual authorities are very important. She was merely acting in accordance with everything she had been taught her whole life.

Our local believers were eager to go in. From past experiences, they already knew they did not need the lokkru to witness God’s power. Their confidence is truly admirable.

MaSihuanh, however, allowed them to pray for healing and deliverance. After those prayers and several spiritual conversations, she decided to follow Jesus with her whole heart.

The following week, after prayer and spiritual preparation, we visited her. As always, I planned to observe and only step in if there was something they were not yet ready to handle.

When we arrived, the believers asked me publicly, “Lokkru, where would you like us to meet?”

(What they were really saying was, “Lokkru, please tell her we are meeting upstairs.”)

Understanding the message behind the question, I said, “I think we could meet upstairs, right?”

Excited—but not irreverent or presumptuous—we ascended the stairs.

Inside, in a corner, the first thing we saw was a large photo of her late husband, along with a Buddha statue, incense and candles. And that was only what was visible. Even so, we sat there, and in a spirit of prayer, began to worship God.

“Wait,” one of them said. “Before anything else, we want the family to say publicly why we are here.” He was following the biblical counsel found in Romans 10:9: to confess with your mouth and believe in your heart.

The five adults of the family declared their faith in Christ before us and the invisible powers.

Many of us were alert, expecting the possibility of some demonic manifestation. We stayed spiritually watchful.

But little by little, the atmosphere began to feel lighter. Soon, we were enjoying a beautiful time of worship. We studied the rebellion of Satan in heaven—who he used to be, why he rebelled and how he was defeated by the archangel Michael.

Their eyes widened in amazement.

Those forest spirits and evil spirits they had feared all their lives were actually angels who chose to separate themselves from God’s love.

“Wow! Now we clearly know who those spirits are. And we know Christ is more powerful because He defeated them! If we follow Christ, we will be safe from their attacks.”

Those were some of the great insights we discovered together in Scripture.

As Paul writes: “The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12).

We prayed for MaSihuanh: “We assure you today that if this sickness is coming from Satan, you will be healed.”

She replied, “Even if I am not healed, I will believe that Jesus is God, and I will follow Him.”

We continue praying for MaSihuanh’s recovery, if God wills.

The family is now preparing for a house dedication, planning to throw away all the items used for demon rituals and inviting God and His angels to dwell in their home.

Glory to God for His unlimited power and constant love toward us. We are privileged to witness the work He does in hearts to transform lives. God keeps moving forward here, gaining ground without hindrance. And here we will remain—witnesses of His victories in every context and culture.

Because of the size of the family (around 10 people), we are confident that this home will soon become a house church, allowing the gospel to continue spreading through Pnong villages in the mountains of Mondulkiri.

Your prayers and unconditional support are essential for us. Thank you for being part of this ministry.

• Twitter