Our Weekly Devotionals

Letter 9 - April 3, 1902

Near Sironko River, Bugisu (Masaba land)

To Rev. Canon Alston, CMS London

My dear Canon,

I write this letter seated on a rock beside the river near Sironko, where just hours ago, I witnessed something I scarcely have words for.

We baptized seven young men today as well as their diviner priest! These boys had once all been attendants to this local medium called “Umusamize” or sometimes “Omulombozi” in their language. He was responsible for carrying charms, preparing sacrifices, and summoning spirits. They came to us quietly at first, drawn by whispers that a greater name had come to the hills.

One of them, a boy named Nagimesi, spoke first. His voice trembled as he said,

“This Jesus… He is not afraid of our spirits. I want to follow Him.”

The others nodded. One even brought his old charm bag, still smeared with goat’s blood, and laid it at my feet.

We read from Acts 19 -

“And many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them… So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.” - Acts 19:19 - 20

Then we led them down into the water.

Canon, I will not forget the sound of the current, the light breaking through the branches of a towering mutuba tree - one of the wild figs that line the banks here. The boys rose from the river with faces lit not just by sunlight, but by something deeper - freedom.

When they returned to the village, they were not mocked. One mother wept and said, “My son was once lost in the spirits. Now, he sings.”

I later heard from a teacher in Bumayoka that similar things are beginning there too - songs in the classrooms, prayers among the mothers. And in Mutufu, I am told the children are now asking for Scripture to be read before school.

We are seeing fire, Canon - not of fear, but of the Spirit.

Pray that it spreads.

Your brother in the field,
Rev. William A. Crabtree