Ma Phyu had only been a believer a short time, and was preparing to be baptized. Before the baptism date, she went to visit a friend. Arriving at her friend’s house, Ma Phyu saw that there was a big ceremony taking place—a traditional ritual for invoking the spirits.
This was not shocking; such ceremonies are common in this country in Southeast Asia. Ma Phyu’s friend’s daughter was very sick, and so they had called in a medium to help.
Ma Phyu watched as the medium began calling on the spirits and asking them to possess the sick girl. Falling into a trance, the girl fell to the floor. The medium then brought out two small statues, integral to the ritual. Without being manipulated by human hands, the two statues began to wrestle with each other.
Seeing these supernatural events brought old fears into Ma Phyu’s heart. She stepped outside and began to pray. “Jesus, you said that we cannot serve two masters,” Ma Phyu prayed, “but these spirits are very powerful! If you are the only Living God, powerful and almighty, please show me a sign.”
After praying, she went back into the house to see what God would do. Her friend looked up and told Ma Phyu, “You should also ask the medium for protection! Your children are not safe!”
Again, doubts rose up in Ma Phyu—was her decision to follow only Jesus putting her family at risk for spiritual attack and sickness? Reluctantly, Ma Phyu agreed to allow the medium to invoke the spirits on her behalf. To everyone’s surprise, the medium was powerless, and Ma Phyu remained completely unaffected.
Suddenly, a wild wind tore through the bamboo house, and the two small statues used by the medium were knocked over. Then, as all the ceremonial candles in the room blew out, the people present cried out in terror.
“God has answered my prayer!” Ma Phyu exclaimed to everyone in the room. “I know now that Jesus is the one true God, more powerful than any spirit or evil force!”
After this experience, Ma Phyu never went back to the medium again. She has devoted herself to following Jesus, and studying the Scripture.
