Overcoming Darkness in Uganda, and an Entire School Give their Lives to Jesus!

I experienced this amazing event while on a mission trip to Uganda Africa back in 2017. I know its been a while, but rather than have this lost in the past, I thought it would be helpful recount it and share it with you.

I saw God work in miraculous ways that I had never seen before. Young girls who were possessed by evil spirits were delivered in the name of Jesus, restored, and then fill with God’s Spirit. The headmaster of a large primary school, most of the teachers, and nearly an entire school of children heard the good news of Jesus Christ, and how He lived, died, and took their punishment upon Him to save them to life – here now, and in the life to come. I learned that God our Father is all powerful, and His ways are amazing!

Back in August 2017, while our missions team was on the way to another village, we noticed some school boys dragging a young girl by the arms and legs, as though they were in a fight.  She was struggling, so we slowed down and asked the boys to stop harassing her – we then proceeded on.

Little did we know that the Village Team in the van that was following us assessed the situation differently.  We later found out that they stopped, because they sensed that this girl had been possessed with an evil spirit!  Arthur’s wife, Esther was certain that what was going on was unusual. She wanted to know what was truly happening. The team decided to get out of their car. They soon realized they needed to begin   praying with their team for this girl, they called out in the name of Jesus for this evil spirit to set her free and release her from its demonic oppression.  After the evil spirit left her, the boys took her back to the school and left her with the headmaster.

Later that evening, while speaking about what had happened earlier that day, the gentleman from Nigeria, Nuhu Douda, advised us that he felt that there were other demonic activities that were going on and maybe others were experiencing evil spirits in that school, and that we should go back and assess the situation, to see if there was anything else that we could do.  Again, we all agreed. That night I fell asleep, wondering what God was up to,

The next morning a few of us departed for the school that we had suspected had “demonic activity”, going on. Soon after we arrived, we discovered that [approximately 30-40 minutes] there was indeed some serious demonic activity going on there. Upon realizing our suspicions were true, we needed to go to the headmaster and inquire further. As soon as we met up with the headmaster, we began experiencing all kinds of commotion, especially when Arthur began witnessing to the headmaster.

Arthur shared with him the importance of his conversion and being filled with God’s Spirit to combat this sort of evil. He told him, “Listen – there is demonic activity in this school, and you know it. And you are the headmaster. They will come for you next, so you must be ready, and have the full armor of God”. Listening intently and nodding, he agreed to accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.

In parallel with this discussion, I could hear yelling outside the headmaster’s office.  Boys were dragging two girls into the barred room next door. I stepped outside for a moment to see what was happening, and two of our team were in this “jail cell” next to the headmaster’s office, commanding the evil spirits to come out of these girls in Jesus name! I stepped in and prayed with them, joining with them in casting these evil spirits out and freeing the girls.  This took several minutes or longer for each girl, but eventually the girl would stop shaking and convulsing, and give out a deep sigh of relief. It was then that we knew each was freed.

At that point we would take each girl outside and pray with them to believe in Jesus and receive Him into their heart.  And each one did!  I believe there were about 8 girls in all that were being tormented, and all 8 were freed in Jesus name and by the power of His Spirit. I learned through this that spiritual warfare is real, and that In the name of Jesus Christ, when called on by one of His children, there is “no other name under heaven by which we must be saved”. The name of Jesus is the most powerful name, period!

After this, the headmaster began calling all the teachers together in a room and we told them how important it was that they believe in the one true God, believe on the Lord Jesus and receive Him into their hearts. Eight accepted Christ and received him as Lord. We gave them some Bibles, and told them to read, study and know God’s word.

It gets even better still! The headmaster then began calling the whole school of children together, to all go out on the lawn in front of the school.  Several hundred children were there, and Arthur and our team turned and began to address them. We explained the good news about how Jesus came to pay the price for their sins, protect them from the evil spirits, give them a full life here, and in heaven to come. Over 200 of the approximately 300 grade school children stepped forward and prayed that they would receive Jesus as their savior.

We then prayed for the whole school, and we left them in the care of a local pastor for ongoing follow up and ministering. When we arrived a few hours earlier, there was confusion and hopelessness. When we left there was a peace about the whole school. Our God is an awesome God. There is certainly great power in the name of Jesus!

I gave away my bible to a teacher at the school.  He looked at it astonished, and exclaimed “How much do these bibles cost?” (they don’t have many bibles in the villages).  We told him $12 or so.  He was flipping the pages, and I have no doubt he will be reading it cover to cover. Praise the Lord!

After leaving, feeling very blessed that we accomplished the Lords work at the all school meeting, we thanked the headmaster, teachers and children. We departed and proceeded for the next village.

What did I learn from this episode, one of several amazing events on my missions trip to Africa?

• That things are not always what they seem. When we first passed by this school, we thought a girls was been bothered by two boys. But actually they were trying to bring her to the headmaster for help with her torment.
• That God set this whole event up in advance, for us to walk in it and be a conduit for His power. He knew the headmaster was desperate for help, and He moved our leaders to stop by the school to share with him.  That led to teachers hearing the Word, and many accepting Christ.  And then the whole school was called together, and hundreds raised their hands to accept Jesus as their Savior.
• That there is no other name under Heaven as powerful as the name of Jesus! The evil spirits tremble when they hear that Name, being called upon by one of His children in whom His Spirit dwells.
• That God frees those that are oppressed, and in distress, when they call upon Jesus and trust their life with Him.  He loves every one of His creatures, and wants them all to turn, repent, and believe and trust Him for their life and deliverance.

Be blessed, and look for those opportunities God has for you to walk in them. As you step out to be the eyes, hands and feet of Jesus, God will use you to bless others, and you in turn will be blessed!