Reaching the Unreached
Not many years ago the unreached were referred to as pagans or "the heathen". I remember as a child hearing tales of these heathen lands where witch doctors chanted curses and blessings with a spear in their hands and bones pierced through their noses, having ghoulishly painted faces and crowned with the feathers of exotic birds. I imagined frantic, half-naked mobs seemingly under the power of unseen forces, fearfully if not hopelessly trying to appease the gods and obtain momentary relief from disease, famine and misfortune by bringing animal sacrifices or money to these "holy men". Old-time missionaries would tell of how as they preached the gospel, power encounters between the local controlling spirits and Almighty God would erupt.
As an adult and experienced missionary I redefined my understanding of the heathen and unreached over the years. I came to believe that the unreached were not like the tribal peoples I had imagined, but appeared much more like me - civilized, educated, politically-conscious - but only having a different language, culture and religion. I assumed, incorrectly, that the greatest battle in reaching them lay in finding the right approach and having a culturally-sensitive message, as important as those things may be. But, . . .
. . . this morning I got a wake-up call.
I was riding my moto by the O'Russey Market which is at the heart of the area we are targeting to plant churches and quickly learned that today was a holiday. There was pandemonium as people flocked after a parade going down one of the crowded streets. At a turtle's pace coasted hand-pulled carts decorated with red and gold-colored flags and posters of various shapes and sizes, saffron parasols, burning incense sticks, and in the center of each was a throne. Each throne hosted a Chinese man or woman wearing ostentatious garb made of red satin and a patchwork of a variety of colors, including an equally colorful headdress. Drums and cymbals were beaten purposefully and rhythmically - its deafening drone rivaling a modern-day rock concert.
I decided to park and take a closer look at what was going on. I asked a shop owner what was happening and she said that this was a "bon" which is a Khmer word meaning "festival". "What bon is this?", I inquired. She replied, "The parade of Neak Ta." I knew Neak Ta was a Satanic, territorial spirit to whom many people in Cambodia paid homage and were in bondage. Wanting to learn more, I took a closer look . . .
Seated on the throne of the first cart in the processional was a heavy Chinese man in obvious distress. The surface of the chair on which the man sat was made of sword blades set on edge, with the sharp edges pointed towards the man! There were six or seven sword blades spaced equally apart making up the surfaces of the seat, the foot rest and the back rest of the chair. The man brandished a sword in his hand and ordered helpers stationed at his right and left at will. In contrast to the fine red satin costume clothing him, the man's tongue was exposed and appeared swollen and blood-red. Looking closer I noticed two foot-long skewers pierced through the man's cheeks from one side of his mouth, through the tongue and on through to the other side!
Suddenly, the man poised himself, drew his sword and slid his tongue up and down its edge until blood poured out! He grimaced as the nauseating deed was done. Then one of the helpers gave the "holy man" a yellow sheet of paper with Chinese script. He touched the paper to his bloody tongue, ensuring blessing to the bearer of the note. Frantically, people pushed in waving money to purchase the blood-blessed sheet of paper. One sheet after another was bloodied, with a steady stream of people swarming around the cart to buy one.
Without regard for the devoted, the man suddenly jumped up and violently waved his sword. People fell back trembling with fear as they watched him convulse uncontrollably. I sensed an oppressive spirit in that man like I have never felt before. Obviously demon-possessed, I wondered if he was host to the spirit, Neak Ta himself. I looked into the fearful eyes of on-lookers who must have come to the same conclusion as I had. People, young and old, were terrified of the possessed "holy man" but were intent on pressing in until they had obtained one of the sacred sheets.
I was overcome by the hopelessness of it all! For more than an hour I stood and gazed in horror at Satan's voracious appetite for destroying human souls. This, our enemy, seeks to kill, steal and destroy and has nearly every man, woman and child in this O'Russey Market area firmly in his grip and all they know to do is pay homage to him. In ignorance these, God's created ones, have for centuries enslaved themselves to a spiritual tyrant - Neak Ta.
I prayed. I pleaded. I begged . . . God, bring these people your hope that does not disappoint! Turn on the light in this black abyss! Ransom these your children from the hands of their kidnappers! Deliver these people from the claws of the dragon! May they find the way, the truth and the life in our Savior Jesus!
New research has shown that there are as many as five distinct Chinese-Cambodian people groups in Cambodia, numbering as many as 1,000,000. These people groups make up a majority of the population in the O'Russey Market area. How can we reach these people? The best laid plans and the most well-thought-through strategies and approaches - even ones that are most sensitive to culture - are sorely inadequate. We are in a spiritual battle requiring spiritual weaponry. Our battle is not of this world, it is not in the physical realm, it is not with people. There is a strong man to bind and he must be bound!
Will you join us in praying for the strong man's demise? Will you intercede for the Chinese-Cambodian people to be delivered?
Your partners,
Dale and Cathleen
