Skip to main content

Angels and Demons - waking to an African War Cry in the village



The New testament of the Bible retells several stories of Jesus casting out demons, and also of visitations by angels. The demonic is something that Christians in North America oft stay away from, and I have never written about my own experiences with seeing the power of God triumph over evil, although many have heard me tell at least one story of an encounter with the enemy, and seeing the power of God displayed with the Sword of the Spirit, which IS the Word of God…

Now that we have recently returned from Uganda, and we were retelling one story, I have decided to post some of the story here. This is not a theological debate, nor even the complete story (with all of its details), but is my own personal experience with a recent spiritual battle, and some of the truths of God’s Word which I was impressed to read during this battle.

It was late one evening, in our village home in Uganda. The children and I had gone to bed early compared to the rest of the family, who normally have supper after 9pm. Our extended family usually has a time of prayer and praise after supper, but the children and I were usually sleeping already, having been satisfied by millet porridge, and unable to stay awake.

We were already sleeping, safely tucked in under a large mosquito net, in our mud hut, with grass-thatched roof. I was completely unaware of the spiritual battle which had been going on for close to 2 hours already, on the other side of the compound (yard), in what we refer to as our “dining hut” (a small hut with a diameter of about 6 feet).

“Mulamo, Mulamo!”, I woke to the call of Samuel’s youngest sister Persis, calling me “sister-in-law”. I slowly crawled out of the net, and reached up to pull the iron sheet-door open. As I opened the door, the fog of sleep lifted, and I was surprised to hear the very loud sound of clapping, and singing –it sounded like drums and what one might imagine to be an “African war cry”. I don’t know how I couldn’t have heard it before.

“I need a Bible",  Persis expounded.

“English or Ateso?”, I asked.

“Umm…both!” she said.

As soon as the Bibles were in hand, she turned to march back to battle, calling back over her shoulder that, “the enemy is a liar!”

I closed the door, and sat back under the net. The sound of battle was so loud, that it sounded as if at least a hundred warriors were standing right outside of our hut. I thought to join them, but also wondered about my children sleeping there, and not wanting to leave them on the bed with such noise outside (although I hadn’t been aware of it in my deep sleep either).

I felt an urge to read a scripture, and picked up my phone (which was thankfully charged, as we have no electricity in the village for charging phones). I prayed that God would direct me, and opened up the Bible App (International Children’s Bible). The first scripture (Psalm 27) on the screen, seemed to jump out at me, and read:

The Lord is my light and the one who saves me.
    So why should I fear anyone?
The Lord protects my life.
    So why should I be afraid?
Evil people may try to destroy my body.
    My enemies and those who hate me attack me.
But they are overwhelmed and defeated.
If an army surrounds me,
    I will not be afraid.
If war breaks out,
    I will trust the Lord.
I ask only one thing from the Lord.
    This is what I want:
Let me live in the Lord’s house
    all my life.
Let me see the Lord’s beauty.
    Let me look around in his Temple.
During danger he will keep me safe in his shelter.
    He will hide me in his Holy Tent.
    Or he will keep me safe on a high mountain.
My head is higher
    than my enemies around me.
I will offer joyful sacrifices in his Holy Tent.
    I will sing and praise the Lord.
Lord, hear me when I call.
    Be kind and answer me.
My heart said of you, “Go, worship him.”
    So I come to worship you, Lord.
Do not turn away from me.
    Do not turn your servant away in anger.
    You have helped me.
Do not push me away or leave me alone,
    God, my Savior.
10 If my father and mother leave me,
    the Lord will take me in.
11 Lord, teach me your ways.
    Guide me to do what is right
    because I have enemies.
12 Do not let my enemies defeat me.
    They tell lies about me.
    They say they will hurt me.
13 I truly believe
    I will live to see the Lord’s goodness.
14 Wait for the Lord’s help.
    Be strong and brave
    and wait for the Lord’s help.

I felt compelled to walk over to the dining hut and read that scripture.

As I neared the hut, I could see that some close relatives were standing around the inside perimeter of the hut, and a young man (also a relative), was in the middle of them, acting strangely. He seemed to be almost thrown around by those standing around him–although no one touched him.

The “war cry” was of praise. The enemy could not stand the sound of worship to God, and wanted to escape.

Samuel read Psalm 91 as the song subsided.

The young man fell down, limp. It looked as if the enemy had left – a tactic that we had seen before. We would not be deceived. Samuel addressed the enemy and called him a liar. And the enemy answered back.

Now, the young man sat up, and his face was contorted and wrinkled. His appearance was disfigured, and the voice that spoke was harsh, and old –not that of the gentle young man who sat there.

Samuel asked if anyone had a scripture to read, and I stepped forward, out of the star-lit night and toward the torch-lit hut. As I read in English, Samuel read along in Ateso, and the enemy became enraged. Samuel demanded it to keep silent. Then it could only speak when asked a question.

A short discourse ensued, in which the enemy tried to claim a right to the young man, and also begged not to be sent out alone, but to take the young man’s spirit with him, and to be given a place to live in our property.

I stood outside of the hut, and also took my baby niece from my sister-in-law who stood inside. As I paced outside, I prayed. Most of what was being spoken was in Ateso, so I couldn’t understand the actual words, but I joined in by praying, and worshiping. At one point, I turned to address the enemy, and though I was a good 10 feet away, and outside of the noise of the hut, he turned and looked directly in my eyes as I spoke.

I felt urged to read Isaiah 52- Samuel translated.

Whenever God’s Word was read, the enemy raged –but Samuel demanded that he be silent –so he looked as if he was yelling, but there was no sound.

I went back and forth between standing outside of the hut, and checking on my children –who did wake up.

I wasn’t actually there when the enemy left, but after some arguing and begging, and pleading not to say, “that man’s name”, whenever “Jesus” was mentioned, the enemy had to obey –and was sent to the place prepared for him, to await judgement.

Everyone then sat down, opened God’s Word and began to read, pray, worship, and also to “test” the spirit of the young man, to see that the enemy had indeed left. We also read some verses from Revelations chapter 21...The young man had not been aware of anything that had happened... A short time of biblical counsel, and a prayer to end the evening, and then we all went to bed and slept in peace.

Back home in Canada this week, my mom was asking about the evening, and she asked who was all there. As I told her who all stood around the hut, I turned to Samuel to ask the name of the young man who stood beside him. He was standing in front of the torch, and I couldn’t see his face clearly. Samuel responded that there was no man beside him. He stood between his two sisters, and the only other men there (who I had also seen), were Papa and a pastor who was working on the house with us.


We called home to ask, no one else saw the man… I don’t know if I have ever seen an angel before, but there was definitely an angel standing, doing battle with us that day, and I don’t know why God allowed me to see him, but I am glad that He did.

Reader’s Favourites

Father's Heart Coffee

Father’s Heart Coffee gives 100% profits to The Father’s Heart Village in El Salvador. With every sip, you empower us to sustainably care for the holistic needs of orphaned children.   Lets us know if YOU want to try our coffee! It is: -Shade grown -High Altitude (Apeneca) -Pacamara -Honey Process -Organic -Dark, Medium or Blonde Roast AND, for every pound of coffee sold, we can purchase 30 blocks for building a future of hope! We can ship coffee to you anywhere in North America! Order via our Canadian Website - donate page (more order options coming soon too!): www.fhfcanada.ca And, don't forget to order your copy of our book! Proceeds help our family to care for fatherless children in El Salvador & Uganda! Amazon Author Page

Citizens of Heaven: reflections on how the lack of speaking and understanding a language make me a foreigner.

I have experienced life as a foreigner in varying degrees over the majority of my life, probably beginning on my first short term missions trip (to Uganda) 22 years ago (yes, 22 years…yikes!). I don’t recall feeling so much a foreigner on that trip, but I was changed, and became a distinct “foreigner” upon my return to Canada. I think it was then that I began to learn how to die to myself and began to desire to live out James 1:27 (in it’s entirety – I yearned to live out true religion by taking care of orphans and widows AND by remaining unpolluted by the secular world) *note: I am far from perfect, and simultaneously began a fight against sin, as once convicted of something, once one knows the good that they should do and they do not do it, they then sin… the struggle against the flesh is real, but with every victory, as sin is put to death and as I choose to live life in the Spirit, I am learning more and more how to live a life separate from the world.     ...

Hope for those in the "depths of despair"

I should be packing for a missions trip right now, but instead I am sitting down with a storied glass of wine and opera music. I am not accustomed to listening to opera, although I think I have enjoyed it most of my life. It can soothe the emotional side of the soul, but can also dangerously feed into certain emotions - I think (dependent on lyrics maybe too). But alas, I am inclined to listen to a few songs right now, before switching to my usual playlist -  as I reflect on recent news of those in my circle of friends who are mourning loss and questioning life, as someone they know has chosen to take their own life.  The decision to take one’s own life has affected my family very personally, as have other choices which inevitably lead to the ending of life. It makes me reflect on my own life, on the subject of depression, and of my own personal experience with depression. I have so many thoughts on this subject and have read numerous books on the topic, my favo...

“Palm Sunday”. Thinking about Worship, “social distancing” & examining ourselves and our Gospel message

Psalm 139:23, 24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?  Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem by a crowd full of people singing and rejoicing over miracles. When Nicodemus came to Jesus and said that they (the Jewish leaders) knew that He must be from God because of the signs/miracles, Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)  The Jewish people had been waiting for the Messiah, and the entire Old Testament is full of messianic prophesies - on the road to Emmeaus, after His resurrection, Jesus went through the entire scripture to teach that it was all about Himself. The mes...

Intentionality

As I finish up this school year with my littles, (and prepare to continue their lessons throughout the Summer, so that we are ready to begin the school year well), I am reflecting on this past school year, and the many travels and lessons that we have had together.  We began the school year in El Salvador, finished our first term in Canada, completed our second term in Uganda, began our third term in Canada, and are finishing up back in El Salvador. We have learnt and grown in each subject and grade, and as a family, and individually. I especially enjoy the lessons learnt through experience, as we travel, and as we live in different cultures and contexts – but, as much as I love teachable moments, and life lessons, and I love teaching God’s Word and the practical lessons of growing in character, I am otherwise, not a very good teacher, and very easily fall behind –especially in recording our learning (which is required for being Distributed Learner’s through my home province)....

More of life in the village - began writing in the village, and will slowly finish this week

As I sit here to write, I am surrounded by small children –some nephews, a little orphaned girl, and a great-nephew, plus some of my own children coming and going. I came to the church building to write, because the internet reception is better, the heat is not as intense, and I thought I would be alone – if I could speak the language I might ask them to leave for a little while, but I think that choosing love, and bearing the noise of all the “emotokars” (cars made of pieces of wood –that don’t resemble cars, but with an imagination and some good sound effects, they become perfect cars!)…in the time that it took to write that, they realized that I wasn’t looking at pictures or doing anything interesting, so they took their cars outside –but left a baby behind to play on the dirt floor. Actually, the floor is not dirt, it is made of cow dung. Here is Benjamin’s description of the [making of the] cow-dung floor: “I watched one of my cousins make a cow-poop-floor. First, they coll...

Reflections on Rwanda from 2004

A City on A Hill Written by Charity Pilkey, January 2004, after visiting Rwanda ( the land of a thousand hills ) Teardrops falling on a thousand hills Somehow invisible Footprints marching on a thousand hills Somehow silent Bloodstains rolling on a thousand hills Somehow transparent Echoes crying on a thousand hills Somehow muffled Tears that fell, now fall from mourners Survivors march to make new prints Blood now dried, remains a vivid reminder New cries resound on a thousand hills So, if you are remaining Keep walking and learning Keep striving and yearning For His light to shine brilliantly From this land of a thousand hills.

Which Thief Will We Be Like? And How Will We Celebrate This Pivotal Christian Weekend?

I have been reading through the Gospels and seeing how Jesus proclaimed Himself to be God and proved it through His miracles and teaching. How He rebuked the man-centred religious system, and pointed to Himself throughout the scriptures (during His ministry and again after the resurrection) - He quoted the Old Testament, and spoke clearly of His coming death and resurrection, yet, even the 12 disciples didn’t understand until after the resurrection, what He had meant. BUT, one of the men who hung for their crimes, on a cross at Jesus’ side DID understand! He knew that Jesus was innocent and was not dying for His own sins, he knew and recognized his own guilt and sin deserving of death, AND he even recognized that Jesus was not going to remain dead, but would come into His Kingdom. He knew that the Kingdom was not of this world, and was not about setting up a throne to demolish the rule of Rome. Jesus came as fully God and fully man, to fulfil the numerous prophesies that fill the ...

Is it dangerous to be a missionary in El Salvador? Our experience and a little history lesson

I noticed that this blog had been looked at a lot lately, and hadn’t realized that when I last changed my blog layout, it had affected the style and flow of this post. I think I have fixed it now...though this could be edited a lot more!  This is not exhaustive on the topics of travel, safety, gang violence, or missions in El Salvador, but is part of our story, and some of the history of the country that we serve in. El Salvador was voted as one of the top ten countries to visit, by Lonely Planet in 2010 and 2016. Is El Salvador safe for tourists? My short answer is, " Yes . It is (relatively) safe". It is generally safer than being a tourist in Mexico, and people travel there all the time . Tourists are (generally) not a target. As is the case even in LA, or even downtown Vancouver, there are certain places where you should not go, especially at night, but there are lots of places where you can explore, hike, walk, shop, eat, surf, zip-line, etc. and...

What do so-called “False Teachers” teach, and how can we know it is false?

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 I feel compelled by a biblical mandate, to say something about a huge burden that I have had for several year now, and that has been growing - to warn people about false teaching! Anytime a doctrine or teaching or movement is presented as biblical truth to the church in general, every individual Christian, and leaders in particular, are to rightly judged such teachings ...