The Witchdoctor
Outline: True story: witchdoctor in Brazil. Tells of dream and subsequent demonic experience connected with wild pigs and decision to be witchdoctor; his power as such; then hearing about Jesus and turning to Him; the fear of the people for him and themselves - expectation of reprisal from the spirits. His experience as wild pigs (associated with the spirits) came; his lack of fear, and his protection from them as he flouted all supersition, and eventual conversion of most of the village. Short application.
Script Number: 255
Language: English
Theme: Belief System (Witchcraft, paganism, Syncretism); Living as a Christian (Faith, trust, believe in Jesus); Problems (Evil Spirits, demons)
Audience: Animist
Style: Monolog
Genre: Personal Stories
Purpose: Evangelism
Bible Quotation: Paraphrase
Status: Approved
Scripts are basic guidelines for translation and recording into other languages. They should be adapted as necessary to make them understandable and relevant for each different culture and language. Some terms and concepts used may need more explanation or even be replaced or omitted completely.
Script Text
In the Wai Wai tribe of South America there is a man named Elka. He was a powerful witchdoctor. He healed many people. I will tell you his story.
When he was a young man he had a dream. He dreamed he was hunting wild pigs. He found a herd of them. He raised his bow to shoot, but was unable to release the arrow. As the pigs ran away, the biggest pig stopped and looked at Elka. It spoke to him. "Don't shoot us. Knock down fruit for us to eat. Become a witchdoctor. After that don't eat our meat. If you eat us you will die." That is what the pig said to him. That was his dream.
The next day he did go hunting. He found wild pigs. He shot an arrow but it missed by a long ways. Again he missed. The biggest pig stood in front of him. It looked at Elka. It was very close. Twang! Elka's arrow sped right at the pig. Suddenly the arrow jumped in midair, going over the pig. How could such a thing happen? Elka did not understand. He was afraid.
Returning to the village, he told the witchdoctor about his dream and what had happened. The witchdoctor replied, "You are to become a witchdoctor. The spirit of the wild pig will be your special helper."
So he became a witchdoctor. He learned all the songs. He had influence with all the spirits. He healed well. He became famous far and wide.
Not long after, men came to tell the Wai Wai about Jesus, the Son of God. Elka heard how Jesus healed many people. Jesus healed bad cases. Jesus used no stones, no songs, no smoke, nothing. He just commanded, and immediately the sick were healed. "Jesus is strong. Jesus is good," Elka thought.
Elka was told to forsake the spirits. "Jesus is against the spirits. Don't be afraid of the spirits. Follow Jesus," the men told Elka. They told him that Jesus, the Son of God, helps all who believe in Him, and that He is truly the One to worship. But Elka's wife told him, "Remember that every witchdoctor who has forsaken the spirits has died a violent death ( the spirits ate his spirit - or the spirits killed him). " "Yes," acknowledged Elka, "that is true." But deep inside he knew it would be better to serve Jesus and not the spirits. Elka thought, "What should I do? Will I die? "
THE WITCHDOCTOR - part 2 - #255
One day Elka went walking alone in the woods. He was thinking about what he was learning about Jesus and God- the One Who made us. He thought, "Jesus is the Son of God. God made these trees, birds, and animals. He made the sun even. God is the great chief of all. God is good. The spirits are evil, I am afraid of them. But I am not afraid of God." Then he stopped, and looking up into the sky he spoke to God. He said, "This is Elka. I am deciding to follow Jesus. You help me to forsake the spirits and get rid of my charms. This is all."
Soon all the people of the village heard about Elka's decision. They told him, "Don't do it old friend. You will die. Who will cure us of our sicknesses?"
But he did it. Everyone watched as he handed over his bag of fetishes to the teachers-about-Jesus. Then he told everyone, "Don't come to me when your family is sick. Don't ask me to blow on them. I am no longer a witchdoctor. I am following Jesus." That is how he told them.
The people were waiting each day to see Elka die. But Elka was not afraid. He was no longer sad either. "You follow Jesus, too," he told the people. "Jesus will take away your badness."
One day wild pigs came toward the village. "Aiii ," the people cried. "Now Elka will die. The pigs are coming for him." But Elka did not hide. He grabbed his gun and ran out to meet the pigs. He saw that same big pig. Blam! The old pig fell dead. Blam! Another fell dead. He carried them home to his wife. She cooked some of the meat and Elka ate lots of it. The people were saying, "Now he will die." But he did not die. He is still alive. That happened many years ago. The spirits did not kill Elka, because Jesus protected him.
Today, nearly all the village is believing on Jesus. No longer do they kill each other, nor get drunk, nor talk bad, nor steal. Jesus takes away their badness. They are listening to Jesus' word. And they are very happy.
There is one true God and His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only One Who can help us. All people should believe in Jesus. Men and women and children. Jesus wants to be your Saviour too. When He died on the cross, He did it for you. He took the punishment for your sins. Now, if you believe, He will give you new life. He will forgive you and put happiness in your heart. He will help you and protect you. Talk to Him. He will hear you.