Free from a witch doctor’s bondage

The tent seemed to exhale as we opened
its door and it expelled a torrent of heat. I could not begin to imagine
staying inside these tarpaulin walls all day as rivulets of sweat
instantly formed against my skin, yet this is Evansbord’s life every
day.

Evansbord was taken to a witch doctor at two months old. Laying before me was the result of this choice. He was
laying on the tent floor, knees to his chest, feet crossed flat against
himself – fifteen years in this same position. Aside from moving his
arms, his head and a few grunts, Evansbord was immobile and mute.

Little
did he know how his life was about to change: Little did we know how
our lives were about to change.

Evansbord’s home was destroyed in
the earthquake, yet he survived. He was discovered twenty-four hours
later surrounded by rubble but virtually unharmed.

This week as
we visited him and his family in the tent community there were burdened
hearts to see God move in his life. So the team prayed.

Daily
team members visited and spent time interceding for Evansbord. One
participant, a physical therapist, examined him and said that physically
there was no reason he was in such a condition.

Diagnosis: It
had to be spiritual.

So Thursday the team gathered and prayed…
and prayed… and prayed. After hours of seeking God on behalf of this
child and his family, the team retrieved a tarp, used water from their
water bottles, and created a baptismal on the spot.

Result:
Evansbord was smiling, laughing, uttering his first words.

Friday
morning Evansbord was crawling. Friday afternoon he was playing and
throwing a ball.

He is a transformed boy, joyous and responsive.
The entire community has witnessed this and has been astounded.

Evansbord’s life is changed.

His family is changed.

His community is changed.

The team members are changed.

Below is a clip, taken by one of the participants, of Evansbord
being baptized.