Witches on the Loose

Over the past month or so, I’ve been to Ghana, Togo and Benin in Western Africa, to several states in the USA and to Mexico twice. (Yep, been busy!) I’ve seen a lot of sadness, poverty and evil in those places. But the weirdest so far was on Swami’s Beach in So California. Witches. Yep, you read it right. Witches.

I was sitting there with my Italian friend, Katia, chatting about the Bible when I spotted what I thought was a mirage. (After all, it was hot and the sun was shining brightly.) I squinted in hopes of adjusting my vision. But Katia confirmed I was seeing fine. This was no mirage. This was some weirdo dressed in a long black robe, with very long, jet black straight hair, a wand and some charms.

The “person” was marking territory and chanting – moving in a sort of frenzied jive as if animated by an overcharged battery. Seemingly casting spells.

I later saw the witch with a man dressed in white. He looked like another witch. They were further up the beach and had planted posts and strung charms on them. They were swishes the ground as if casting more spells. It seemed the white character was training the black one. Most bizarre! But then again, to be expected at Swami’s beach, right next to the Self Realization Center.

My friend was shocked. “How can there be witches?” she said. . “Why would someone willfully follow evil?” I couldn’t answer that. But I did explain that evil-followers are plenty – including well-known names. For example, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin is a renowned follower of Black Magician Aleister Crowley. Allusions to the Greek god, Pan, refer to Lucifer. Songs such as Most High mock Jesus Christ and honor darkness. (More info here.

My friend was shocked and I wanted to put her mind at rest, remind her that she was a child of the Light. I explained that as a follower of Jesus, she had nothing to fear. The evil one cannot touch us unless we invite him. Greater is He who lives in the hearts of those who’ve invited Him to be their Lord and Savior than he who is in the world. We walk through the valley of the shadow of death here on earth, but we need fear no evil. But neither must we be naïve about its workings.

No, we must not be shocked that there are those who choose to follow darkness. Rather, we must be sure that we do not propagate it unawares, that we are not flirting with darkness by pushing boundaries, by taking liberties God doesn’t want us to take, by keeping a foot in the world, by embracing all that Hollywood produces and letting filth and evil through our eye gates.

How do we do this? Simply follow Jesus every day, one day at a time. We die to self daily, taking up our crosses to follow Him. Simply. Reading His Word. Praying. Seeking Him. Sharing Him. Inquiring of Him and asking Him to shed His light in the dark areas of our souls. We ask Him to help us. We cannot do it of ourselves, for our souls cling to the dust. But we can do it with Him and through Him. So let’s choose life.

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

If you’d like to know how to change children’s lives through prayer, browse the Orphans First website. And join the Orphans First Prayer Chain.

Janey L. DeMeo
August 2009 © Copyright
www.orphansfirst.org / www.JaneyDeMeo.com

Orphans First on YouTube

This is it. The Orphans First DVD. It needs to be updated (any professional volunteers?), but it'll give you a better grasp of the diverse impact Orphans First is making--especially if you haven't yet studied the website. You'll see children we've worked with over the years, glimpses of the different lands where we work and me (still in France at the time).

So, enjoy. And please pray for Orphans First.



Janey L. DeMeo
August 2009 © Copyright
www.orphansfirst.org / www.JaneyDeMeo.com

Led or Driven?

It’s taken longer to get back in the saddle since Africa than I’d expected. One reason is just the ever-increasing number of emails that needed attention upon my return—not to mention other issues. I was also exhausted. Not sure if it was the bout of sickness that tried to kill me in Benin and was secretly lingering and lurking somewhere deep within. Or if I’m just getting old. Probably a bit o’ both. Anyway, I’m slowly getting back in that ol’ saddle, which is why I’m blogging today.

Many issues are on my mind, not the least of which is how stupid some people are. I know. Not very polite of me. Not kind. But it’s true. Some people make the most stupid and selfish decisions and the repercussions are disturbing. So what am I beefing over now? The children of course. The innocent victims of people’s poor choices.

There are really only two ways to make a decision: Either you’re led by God (which usually means you’ve come to Him in prayer, sought His will in His Word, perhaps asked counsel from godly people, waiting on the answer until it seemed in obvious alignment with God’s will . . . ). Or, you’re driven by the flesh. And, trust me, the flesh is a hard task-master.

I am learning that it’s always better to be led by God than driven by the flesh.

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

I like this verse because it makes choosing easy. There are different choices before us. But only one is right. The one that God has chosen for us. That choice leads to life.

I also like this verse because I believe that if God requires that we “choose life,” then He must obviously make that “choose life” option clear to us. Or how could we choose? He makes His will known through the Bible, Scriptures. It’s up to us to find out what His will is. That means putting aside self-interest with His help.

So, why do I get so upset by those who make stupid choices? Because they are anything but life-giving. Take, for example, kids from divorced families whose parents choose whatever makes their own lives easy, regardless of their kids’ needs.

Just today I witnessed such a case. A parent moves the kids around from place to place, always looking for something better. Meanwhile, the kids have a strong dose of bitterness festering in their hearts. Parents make selfish choices as if they didn’t even have kids’ lives to consider at all. That is a choice of death. And it seems the children pay for it.

But there is one good thing I’m still learning about people’s “death choices.” They may make wrong choices but the story’s not over. And when it comes to kids, I feel a strong sense of advocacy coupled with a sense of inadequacy because I can’t do a whole lot to change what others choose for them. Or can I? Well, I can go back to the advocate in me and put it to work. I can pray.

Prayer changes things. Oh, it might not instantly change the situation thrust upon those kids. But as we persist in prayer, things will change in time. The kids’ hearts will become more tender, for one thing, in spite of their guardian’s poor decisions. Or the guardian may surrender to Christ—which would change a whole lotta things for the kids. Or God may close a door, block a way, thus sparing the kids from worse suffering. Whatever it is that God does as a result of prayer, He’ll do what’s best. And we’ll get changed in the process.

Prayer is never in vain. So, instead of griping about the unfairness I see, and the wrong choices others make that affect innocent kids, I’d best get praying.

If you’d like to know how to change children’s lives through prayer, browse the Orphans First website. And join the

Orphans First Prayer Chain

.

Janey L. DeMeo
August 2009 © Copyright
www.orphansfirst.org / www.JaneyDeMeo.com

More News Fresh From Africa

“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

This question is simmering in my mind with new insights into its profundity. I am more and more convinced that Western Christians have lost sight of God’s imprint on their own soul. It’s been squelched by “stuff.’ But more on that another time. For now, back to what’s happening here in Africa.

The above pic is of some children in the slums of Cotonou, Benin (one comes to our Orphans First children’s club; the other is his neighbor).

Seems like years went by since I last wrote my blog. Time in Africa is a different dimension. And so much has happened since we first got here, I could write another book. We’re now back in Ghana. Tonight I’ll teach the women at a church in Tema. But for now, I’ll share a few highlights of our trip thus far.

It took way longer to get to the border for Togo. Five hours actually. We did stop by at a small, Christian school but still . . . the trip was way too long. And then another hour or so through the borders into Togo—an experience I have never enjoyed on any of my trips to Africa.

The children in the school were beautiful, happy and taken care of, and I’m not going to talk about them here. Rather, I want to tell you about a little boy whose solitude tore my heart apart. (I’ll post his pic sometime once it’s downloaded from camera.)

I noticed him watching the school kids, wandering around in rags, scrawny and dirty. I tried to talk to him, but he looked at me blank. (Of course, I don’t speak Aiwai, but still, I figured he’d something.) Concerned, I inquired about him. He’s deaf and dumb. That’s why he’s not in the school. I’d like to do something about that. Please pray we can get this boy in school.

Going through the borders – Ghana, Togo, Benin, then Benin, Togo, Ghana – is like a trip into Hell. So much grime, pushing, bullying, poverty . . . and yet you can’t possibly help everyone. One old lady (looked to be 100 years old) walked with a huge, heavy basket of stuff on her head (that’s how women transport here, and often with babies on their back). Her flip-flops were ridiculously worn and she was skin and bones, draped in rags. The guards pushed her and bullied her as she tried to get through the borders. Louis told them, “Stop that. Let her through.” They did.

I wanted to catch her up to give her my flip-flops. I couldn’t get to her with the crowds pressing in. Oh well. My flip-flops probably wouldn’t have fit her anyway since my feet are small. I’ll find a kid here who needs them before leaving Africa.

African children are precious beyond words. The poverty is extreme and I pray we can step up the support and help many more children here via Orphans First. Some of the slums – I mean broken wood shacks maybe two & a half yards square – house families of seven. We visited several such slums and took photos which I hope to show on the website before long.

In Benin, we had to ride on the back of motorbikes to get to the slums. I knew my younger days as a motorbiker would come in handy some day. God wastes nothing. Anyway, the bikes were sort of fun in a scary way. I mean, they drive like they want to kill you. I knew we could die but then our lives are in God’s hands. But the most scary of all was to ride through filthy water left by the floods. Typhoid water. I can’t tell you how many times I wiped the splashes off thinking I might not live till the end of the week. But I did . . .

Louis preached in several churches in each country we were in. We ministered to hurting pastors and their wives, all very poor. I worked with kids, families, women. Much work to do here.

That’s all I have time for today. More later. Thanks for your prayers.

Janey L. DeMeo
Copyright © July 2009

www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
www.LouisDeMeo.com
www.twitter.com/JaneyDeMeo

Fresh News From Africa (Orphans First)

So here I am in Accra, still feeling unusually tired (not a good sign, but oh well), staying in a $ 34 per night Baptist Guest House, and voilà—I have Internet access. Now how cool is that? (Not the bit about feeling tired, but the cyberspace connect.) The fatigue is probably just from traveling—hey, 4 planes over the weekend is a lot for me nowadays! Anyway, I want to thank all those who are praying for this trip. (Details can be found on the Orphans First Prayer Chain: orphansfirst.org).

As in India and most third-world countries, there’s always a love/hate struggle going on in my heart when I’m in Africa. Love because these Western Africans are lambs. They are meek and hungry for truth. Hate because of the squalor, filth, disease . . . It’s everywhere, of course, and unless you stay in a “normal” hotel (which we don’t), it’s in your face constantly. It always pinches my heart to think that these people live with nothing and we westerners have so much.

Tonight, Louis and I strolled up the street almost gagging on pollution from the cars, and trying to mind where we stepped because the rains have been heavy and just to step in water could give you typhoid. We came to a huddle of children and some adults. We asked if we could give the children some bread, which we did, and then gave a few other handouts to the adults. Nothing much really, but what was more significant is that we shared the Gospel and the response was positive. Seems it usually is in this part of the world.

Our pastor-friend from Benin traveled over two borders to meet us here in Ghana and will participate in a special pastor’s leadership conference tomorrow. While the men meet, I’ll probably spend time with the children in the Christian School in Tema, and I think I’m scheduled to teach the women. In the evening we have church. (Louis will preach). Then Wednesday, we plan to get to cross the border into Togo. Not a pleasant experience crossing borders. Sigh!

We first went to Togo some twenty years ago with folks from our church in France. I think it was there (or was it Ghana) that some mosquito set out to kill me. And kill me he almost did. I caught the worst strain of Malaria that exists, and almost died. (But since I’m here telling that tale, you know I didn’t.) Togo, like Benin and some twenty other countries in Africa, is French-speaking.

In Togo, Louis will preach at a few churches, and I’ll work again with children and women. Then, some time later in the week, we’ll go by foot again through the next border to Benin where Orphans First plans to start another children’s home and center. We’ll also teach, preach, work with children etc. But our main focus will be to look at potential land to start this new home. Prayers appreciated.

Well, that’s it for now. It’s likely I won’t have Internet access for the rest of the trip. Not sure. You know where to find me on Twitter (but I don’t think you can follow unless I accept you—and if I can’t get on the Net, I can’t do Twitter). If you don’t hear from me in a month, start worrying. Until then, just keep praying. And THANK YOU. A huge thanks for your prayers. (For recent prayer requests, go to www.orphansfirst.org and click on Prayer Chain.)

Janey L. DeMeo
Copyright © July 2009

www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
www.LouisDeMeo.com

God's Little Princess Devotional Bible by Sheila Walsh

I review books for Thomas Nelson publishers.

Here’s a book to show every little girl she is a princess in the eyes of Jesus. This delightfully bound gift book—adorned with a sparkly crown and gems—teaches little girls how to reign like royalty.

Walsh uses Scriptures, descriptive scenarios and suggested activities to teach little princesses how to represent and please King Jesus. They learn the importance of obedience, honor, inner beauty, humility, love, prayer, serving and true worship.

Simple illustrations in pastel colors, and pretty borders decorate each page. Children are encouraged to talk with God simply and often. Brief vignettes are creatively laced with Scripture and inspire little princesses to enjoy their role as Jesus’ princess.

Although I highly recommend this book, I am disappointed by its shortsightedness. The author emphasizes the parents’ role, but does not make allowances for the thousands of orphans and foster children in America (and indeed worldwide). I wish she had found a way of including them and making them feel just as important—even without parents. (Pity that was overlooked. The book could otherwise have helped many neglected children feel like princesses.)

Overall, this is an excellent book for little girls aged 4 – 7 years.

Janey DeMeo M.A.
Copyright©July 2009

www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com

Orphans First in West Africa

Well, here we go again. Africa. Orphans First already has a children's program in Benin (French-speaking Africa). Now we're looking to create an actual children's home there -- something similar to Grace Home in India or our orphanages in Romania or Siberia. It will take a miracle, but then it always does.

The above photo shows children in our children’s club in Benin. (Hey, I know the quality of the pic is awful, but that’s what you get from a cheap, African camera.- They all come from impoverished families. Orphans First helps some of them with food and schooling.

So, Africa, here we come -- again. (And please lock up your 'squitos. I already had Malaria once thanks very much!)

I'll keep y'all posted on my plans, blogreaders. Meanwhile, check out some details on the Orphans First website.

Janey L. DeMeo M.A.
Copyright © July 2009

www.orphansfirst.org
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
www.twitter;com/Janey DeMeo
Janey DeMeo at Shoutlife.com