Finding Lost Souls Newsletter

NEWSLETTER May/June 2006 - VOLUME 21
INDEPENDENT CHURCH IN INDIA PO BOX 238 FREDERICKSBURG, PA 17026
website: www.indchurch.org email:info@indchurch.org

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Accaya the Leper

After this, we looked at Accaya the leper's damaged hut. It was not by any means even a hut, but what I would say looked like a goat shed. It was attached to another hut like a small porch area. It was very low, and only wide enough to put one cot. I could scarcely imagine how two people could sleep in something so small. It was a fright to even think anyone called this their home. I bent way down to go inside the hut. After one glance around in the darkness, I was ready and willing to step back outside, and fast! I shuddered to think of the creeping critters which might be in the dark cracks or dangling down from the low ceiling.

Accaya's hut was badly damaged. It leaked whenever it rained, turning the floor into mud, so he and his wife would have to sleep outside in the street. We saw that this couple was in desperate need, and through the kind heart of a hut sponsor, we would be able to build them a new hut. The following Sunday after this first visit to this village, six people from Seelapadi came to our church. Accaya and the others were glad we had come to their village, but they were also worried. They told us with sincere concern that many people in their village make a living doing witchcraft and if they find any stranger that came to their village, they will use witchcraft against the person.

Accaya the leper.

They said they would put curses on the victims and then rob them. In Biblical times, witchcraft was an abomination to God and it was expressly forbidden by Scripture. But in India, witchcraft has been for centuries, and even today still is, a very common practice. Almost all the village folk believe in it and it is practiced daily by many who will use it to try to harm others for revenge, or in hope of bringing some relief to their own problems. Pastor Britto told Accaya and those who had come to church with him that they do not have to worry because the power of Jesus is much stronger than any witchcraft. He told them that no one can do anything that will harm us because Jesus' protection is over us.

Independent Church in India built Accaya and his poor mute wife with leprosy a hut.

Accaya and his wife and others are ready to make a decision to receive Jesus Christ as their
Lord and Savior.

Both Accaya and his wife have since accepted the Lord, but before their conversion we learned that they had a very dark past. Accaya had formerly been engaged in the forbidden practice of divination (witchcraft) for almost 15 years. In the surrounding villages, people who were of the same caste as Accaya would come to receive divination from him to seek relief from their sicknesses or revenge on their enemies. Now, since his conversion, Accaya (now named Abraham) has given up all the dark arts and is worshipping Jesus alone.

Accaya shares,"Before you came to me, I didn't have anything. Sometimes we would eat a good meal only once or twice a week (a good meal to them consists of rice with vegetable gravy). We were sleeping on the street. Since you built this hut it is so nice for us. We don't have anyone here to care about us. You are like our children. If my wife or I die you have to come and take me to the cemetery. I will trust Jesus only. You that built a hut for us are the blessed people and you have to live a long life. You have blessed us so much!" The Lord is using Accaya as he has also led the ICII Gospel team to new villages in his area where he used to be known for his divination. Many in these villages are also embracing the Gospel message.

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