Pastor John Hamenyimana, whose name means place where they know God, grew up in a very pagan area of Rwanda in a family of evil-spirit worshipers and sorcerers. John is now a first year student in the Pastoral Training Program (PTP) facilitated by Scheers, Brubakers and Bennetts. In the beginning class they share their testimonies. The following is part of his:

My father and his brothers had medicines of sorcery that were passed on to them from their father.  They used this medicine to heal.

One day my father's older brother, who was the keeper of the medicine, took seriously ill.  When he thought he was near death he called for me.  

He said to me, "My son, they have told me that you have given yourself to God. I have the family medicine. I have looked at all our family's children for the one to whom I can pass this medicine on to. I have found none who I feel can use it following its prescribed ways. It should have been you, as the oldest of the children. But now you have given yourself to God. If I do not pass it on to anyone it will destroy you all. Tell me, does God exist? Have you seen him?"

I said, "Yes, I know him, I have seen him."

He said, "If He really exists, can you take this medicine from us and save us all from this terrible thing?"

I was extremely happy to hear this! Because I knew the power of the Lord was within me. I said that I would do it.

So he sent for the family. My father had died by then, but my other uncle, his younger brother, came. Friends were sent for; all the people that had received of that medicine in the past came. Then my elder uncle told them that he wanted to save the family from the woe of this medicine.  

My younger uncle was afraid and pleaded with his brother not to do this. But my older uncle insisted that this is what he wanted to do. So he brought out all the medicines of sorcery, including two large horns of power.

We lit a fire and I began to pray, "In the name of Jesus, God, if you have the power to remove from our people this woe, burn these things up in your name!"

I began to shake and my arms were filled with the Spirit.

The pagans that were there began to say, "This young man will be dead by tomorrow for what he is doing!  And look, he is being possessed by the spirits!"

They didn't understand the Spirit that was enabling me. After I prayed I cast the medicines into the fire.  The fire blazed up and burned them all.  

I took a shovel and put the fire out with some mud and took the lot and threw it down the outhouse (pit toilet). Then I went and prayed for my sick uncle.  Before that night was over he died.  

We buried him the next day. But the sorcery that had plagued our family was gone! This has become a great testimony in that whole area. After that, my uncle's children and wives and grandchildren repented, turning to the Lord.  For this, I praise the Lord!

…

Now I am studying at the pastor's school of NCM (New Creation Ministry in Rwanda sponsored by WorldVenture).  I praise the Lord greatly for this.  

God had given me a promise since 1996 in my dreams that I would someday study.  I saw myself sitting at a desk studying, writing and reading books.

I could not figure out how I would ever be able to study with my level of schooling (only three years of high school) and our lack of money. I just prayed and the Lord assured me that some day I would study and even receive a diploma.

So now I know that God answers those who pray to Him. He is real, the true God. He doesn't deceive his people. Everyone who depends on him He listens to. Those who seek peace and life and a good life, let them repent and pursue God praying to him, seeking Him with all their heart, and He will do it.

In finishing I ask the head of our school (Gary Scheer) to pray for me that I might finish well. Thank you all.

Pastor John Hamenyimana.

Read the original post at http://www.worldventure.com/News-And-Prayer/Stories-Around-the-World/Stories/Medicines of Sorcery Destroyed.html