DESALA

In the early 1900s while in Ethiopia, the church leaders of the Wolayta tribe told me the story of Desala.  Desala was a businessman and also a witch doctor. He began to realize that his religion, especially that of being a witch doctor was false, based on lies. So he tried Islam.  When Desala saw the violence and evil in Islam, he concluded that this also must be false. It simply did not fit with what he knew to be truth and righteousness.

Some missionaries told Desala to try Christianity and gave him an Amharic Bible.   Although a Wolayta he could read Amharic. The Amharic is the biggest tribe in Ethiopia and they had a Bible.  Desala agreed rather half-heartedly. By this time he decided that all religions were equally good or bad.  Although not too interested at first, he soon saw that he had come onto something real.  Within a few months Desala was an ardent Christian.

About that time there was a meeting of witch doctors at the village of Gotcha Godu, the head witch.  Desala, belonging to the fraternity was also there.  While there Desala was talking to some of his acquaintances and sharing the gospel. Gotcha Godu heard him and ordered him to stop but Desala replied that the witch’s teachings and beliefs were built on lies and Desala had the truth.  He refused to stop.

Now, members of the S.I.M mission had given Desala his Bible.  Gotcha Godu knew this.  He pointed his finger at Desala and said, “Within six months, before the next meeting, a member of S.I.M will die.”  Desala replied, “That’s an easy guess, there are many of us.  Name one.  Name me.”  Gotcha was on the spot and knew he had no choice but to point at Desala and predict that, before the next six month’s meeting Desala would die.

Desala was somewhat frightened over what he had done.  He knew the witch doctors did have real powers: Satanic ones. He asked the missionaries if he had done the right thing.  They assured him that he had; that God would protect him from the power of Satan.  They also told him never to go out at night or even to be alone.  They were sure that Gotcha Godu would do his best to make his prophecy come true.

Six months later Desala was at the next witch convention.  Gotcha tried to ignore him, but Desala stood and reminded him of his prophecy telling him that he was a fake and liar.  Within a minute most had fled the village afraid that lightning would strike.  Nothing happened.  A look of confusion came across Gotcha’s face and he turned and ran into his hut.  He not only lost his power with the people but lost his satanic powers as well.

Desala, unlike the other witch doctors did not choose power, wealth and honor.  When he tried Islam he did not choose what Islam offers; every satisfaction to man’s natural desires.  He chose that which was right.  He had one question: what is true?  And found it in Christ and broke the power of witchcraft in his area.

“Them that honor Me, I will honor” 1 Samuel 2:30