Playing Both Sides of the Fence

The village guide then asks if we would like to visit the temple. Again, we are extremely curious but also extremely reluctant. What strange-world demonic activity will we encounter? We offer a quick silent prayer for protection and off we go in the name of “people group research” in order to contextualize the gospel for these people.

We arrive at a secluded building nestled discretely under the protection of gigantic mango trees. The ground was void of even a single blade of grass. Women are outside sweeping the bare dirt with brooms made of jungle grass. Chickens and pigs are scurrying about in the yard. Our guide purposely positions himself between us and one of the hogs. Being a farm boy from south Mississippi, I immediately perceive that this hog is acting very oddly. When I ask the man why he is shielding us from pig, he says, “Hurry on along because this pig attacks people and bites viciously.” It is easy to sense that this animal is like one of the demon possessed pigs of Mark chapter 5.

This pig just “hangs out” in the yard of this temple that is dedicated to their demonic gods. After going inside, I understand the basis of the possessed pig’s actions.

The inside of this building is dark. So it takes my eyes a while to adjust to the lack of light. I instantly perceive the spiritual oppression that manifests itself as if it is a physical weight upon my shoulders. There are trinkets, candles and idols of all types. These all occupy a larger outer room where common gatherings are held. Deeper in the building is the inner sanctum, holy of holies, or as it is, the unholy of unholies. This is a chamber were few people pass. It is reserved for those who commune deeply with the demon spirits

At once, I have reached my limit. I have to leave the premises at the threat of feeling physically ill. The women who are sweeping the outer grounds are obviously disturbed at our presence. They summon the guide and speak privately with him. He then informs us that the “church ladies” are angry with him for taking outsiders into the temple. Now it would be necessary to have a special cleansing ceremony in order to purify the temple from our defiling presence.

In the midst of this situation, it suddenly dawns on me that my Christian heritage and upbringing in the Bible belt of the United States of America have no correspondence with this world. I realize that little of church as I knew it back home would translate into this culture. The nearly twelve years of theological education that terminated with an earned doctorate did little to prepare me for what I am facing. My years serving as a pastor with the methodologies normally employed in ministry are virtually useless. The rug has been pulled out from under me. How in the world can we communicate the gospel that we possess, in the form that we possess it, to the people of this culture? This dilemma could only be resolved through the ensuing pilgrimage of a missionary whose steps are ordered and illumined by the Lord.