A letter from Martha Sommers in Malawi
December 11, 2009
Dear Friends and Family,
Yesterday, more than 50 children and their parents went to the local police station so that the children could testify about their out-of-body experiences at night while their physical bodies remain at their homes asleep. These children, from toddlers to adolescents, told of being taken supernaturally through the walls of their homes by two women, one whose face they can identify, to graveyards and fields where they have joint experiences that include some of the children changing shapes, such as into snakes and balls. One of the police staff reportedly burst into tears when she asked about her child, and the group response was that he turns into a snake.
Frustrated that the police took no action (as there was no concrete evidence) the group gathered at the church, where they had gathered and prayed for the children the previous evening. Some testified that one of the toddlers would have died if one of the children in this supernatural state had not turned his head at a specific time. Even though during my years working here as a doctor no children in this community have died in sudden unexplained ways, most parents believe witchcraft is capable of making it happen. The accused testified they were innocent. Everyone was present at the church—the accused and the families of the children. They prayed together long into the night.
Praying in the church so long that night saved the lives of the accused and her family, for they were out of the house when a group of masked young men doused the house with paraffin and set the house on fire, blocking both doors. The police and neighbor who tried to help were injured by flying bricks. The accused were beaten and chased off. Besides the burning of the house, some of their goods were stolen.
Witchcraft and accusations of witchcraft are common. People talk about families being associated with witchcraft for generations, and they talk about the high level of witchcraft within the churches. Communities often resort to mob justice to drive off those they believe are witches. Then, after maybe a year or so, the cycle continues, with others being accused, having their houses burned, and being driven off as witches. Although I can sense the despair and sadness, I really do not understand this aspect of local Malawian life. My different cultural background and scientific approach to life makes me focus on whether there is a “reasonable” explanation. Yet, I do see the need for prayers of healing and reconciliation, and request your prayers for those affected.
Today I sit among packed boxes as I await a lorry to transfer my stuff. I am moving Embangweni to Ekwendeni. The lorry is delayed because there is a countrywide fuel shortage. According to the papers, the shortage is due to a lack of foreign currency. Most non-urgent travel is at a standstill. Illegal fuel is being sold out of buckets some places along the road, although even that availability seems to have fallen off locally. Please pray for a resolution of the fuel crisis.
My move back to Ekwendeni, Embangweni’s sister hospital, comes after spending the last six years and a total of nine years at Embangweni. I have mainly loved my time here, and I think the change will be good. Ekwendeni is only a little more than a two- hour drive from Embangweni, so I will still be able to visit and will be coming down periodically to perform upper endoscopy on patients who could benefit from the procedure and cannot travel to Ekwendeni.
Wednesday, the hospital had a joint farewell party for three people: me; Catherine Mzembe, our head of nursing for the past eight years; and Mr. F. Kayange, who retired as a clinician after working in the Synod Hospitals for the last 29 years. He’ll open up a small private clinic in the area. There were many laughs and tears through the singing, skits, dances, eating, gifts, and speeches. Please pray for the hospital during this time of transition.
I just received an e-mail that documentary filmmaker Salome Chasnoff has posted a video trailer at http://www.vimeo.com/6601365 that celebrates the work being done at Embangweni. She will be returning this next year with her assistants to get further footage.
As we prepare for Christmas, may we prepare our hearts and communities to accept the angels’ call for “Peace on Earth”?
Love,
Martha
