Something fishy is going on in Bere. I have decided to label it demon possession. Whether it is truly demon possession or not this situation still needs your prayers. More girls have been leaving school, and even coming to the hospital, due to demon possession. Honestly, at first I thought that many people were putting on a show for attention or to get out of tests. People love putting on shows here.
For example, there was a woman in labor who refused to push. It was her first child. She had been fully dilated for hours and the baby made no progress. Everyone kept saying the baby wasn't coming because there wasn't enough room for its head to fit. But Danae knew what was truly going on. The woman wasn't pushing although she could push. We had to basically drag the woman to the OR and use forceps. It took 9 people to get the baby out. 7 or the 9 people were holding the woman down. Instead of pushing the baby out during contractions she would push the nurses and I away. In the end Danae and Dr. Bland pulled the baby out themselves because the woman didn't want to listen or help the process go faster. She had a fourth degree localized rip because she refused to push the baby out!! Basically her vagina and anus because one big hole!! I have never come across a more difficult patient in the duration of my trip!!
Anyways, back on track, there are no mental health institutes (or even psychologists) here or anywhere in Tchad. So we don't really know if it is show, truly demon possession, or a bad mental disorder. However, I honestly think that Esther has a demon.
We know, or at least think, Esther's is legit because she has snapped out of her episodes in time to take her exams. She has been able to take all her test this week. Also, her father is threatening to disown her because she is refusing to go to the traditional healer. I don't think she would give up her family and a livelihood just for a little attention. She has also had episodes of extreme strength... It could still be a mental disorder, but I don't think it is.
I thought the first few other girls were seeing the attention Esther was getting and wanted some attention too. Or they saw it as a reason to get out of tests. But more and more girls were rushed to the hospital because of demon possessions. Even girls from nearby public schools were coming to the hospital due to what we think were episodes due to demonic possession. In total, we had 16 girls sent to the hospital for demon possession and many more were sent home. The Adventist school even canceled school because there were so many people getting sick.
This is really affecting everyone around us. Girls are afraid to touch each other because they don't want to get possessed. They think that even with a simple handshake you can get possessed. The men think that they can touch the girls and won't get possessed, which is good. However, I think they believe only girls can get possess. I don't know what their reasoning is behind this thought. Also, this situation gives men even more reason to push women even lower and lower in society. Some say it is because the girls don't pray, or were weak?? Ugh...I was honestly too frustrated to fully listen and understand the reasoning behind all of the things said.
All I know is this is bigger than people trying to get out of tests or seeking attention. I feel that the devil is at play in this situation although it doesn't sound like the typical demon possessions I have heard stories about in the past. A few had extra strength, and none of their voices changed. A few had to be held down, but many were walk or carried into the hospital. However, all of them were prayed for.
I think the devil knows his time is getting shorter and shorter. Therefore, he is working even harder to win more souls. Demonic possession isn't as frequent (or easily overlooked) in America. However, it is a very real and very big problem in Tchad. Because of this, I truly don't know what to do or say other then to pray for the girls. I hope you will continue to keep Bere and all of Tchad in your prayers as well.
I've read how social media increases eating disorders (mental illness) and when suicides are publicized there are more copy cats who follow (that why you rarely see news stories about suicide). I'm going to be praying that someone that is a mental health professional will come to Tchad. Making people be aware that you can't catch a mental health disease by touching someone is also important.
ReplyDeleteSatan is definitely trying to deter the work. Because the area doesn't have a mental health professional it is easy to prey on these disorders and make them seem demon possession . Only education on the matter will prove to the people that Satan has less control than they think. That there loved ones are not possessed, just sick, and that there can be healing through therapy, drugs and Jesus.