When our mission team surrendered to go to Chivacoa, Venezuela, we really had no idea what to expect. We were told we would be ministering near a place called "Sorte." In English, it is known as "Witch Mountain." Only after we arrived did we realize the impact a mountain could have on an entire community.

One of the first things we noticed as we drove into Chivaoca was the witchcraft "stores" on every corner. It didn't take long for us to also notice the spiritual oppression that seemed to be "in the air." In fact, a dark cloud could be seen hovering over the mountain at all times. In a way, it looked like smoke, but the nationals said the cloud was always there. It was a good picture of what was hanging over the city. Darkness. Fear. Bondage. They were afraid of this mountain. They were afraid of what went on there. They were afraid for and of the people who dwelled and visited there. It is known as the "mecca" of witchcraft in Venezuela. The nationals told us stories about human sacrifices, animal sacrifices, spells, curses, and other things they had "seen and heard." If we were not totally dependent on the Lord for strength and courage before we got there, we were by the end of that first day in Chivacoa.

There were so many amazing occurrences that week. Many people were being saved every day. Discipleship was taking place all over the city. New church plants were being strengthened and encouraged. The churches and the nationals were banding together to spread the Good News to their city. There was a hunger for the gospel that we were all aware of as we traveled from community to community, house to house, person to person.

For our last day of ministry, our leadership informed us that a team of missionaries and nationals would be going to "the mountain." We had been told that no Christians had ever g one there. Some of our translators told us they wouldn't be going with us. They had heard too much. We understood their fear. The happenings there were real. We knew this was not something to be taken lightly. We were told to only go if we knew God was leading us. Those going began to fast and pray.

The day before we went to the mountain, we were traveling back into the city when our car stopped in the middle of the street and one of our nationals said, "Look! The cloud is gone!" It was an amazing sight! I stuck my camera out the car window and quickly snapped a picture. There was no cloud. The sky was blue and clear. It was like God was lifting the oppression right before our eyes.

The next morning, as we were preparing to go into Chivacoa, many of our team began to share Scriptures that God had given them as they prayed and fasted. What an incredible time it was as God's Word began to establish our steps, calm our fears, and strengthen our hearts.

One of these passages was from Isaiah 55:11-12:
"… so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire;
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace;
The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

On the bus ride to the mountain, we sang and we prayed. We cried and we begged God to set these people free. We didn't know exactly what we would do when we got there. We were told to do ONLY what the Spirit was leading us to do … and nothing else. We were stopped by security at the entrance road to the mountain. Our leader, Keith, had to step out of the bus to explain who we were and what we were doing. The prayers intensified and the praise erupted when Keith got back on the bus and said we could keep going!

When our bus pulled up to the "base" of the mountain, we began to get off quietly. We were told to bring nothing but our Bibles, our Evangecubes, and/or gospel tracts. No backpacks, no cameras, nothing to make it look like we were curious tourists. When my translator, Andre, stepped out of the bus ahead of me, he turned around and whispered, "He's here." I knew it was true. God was there. Just as we felt the enemy's oppression in Chivacoa, we felt God's presence on this mountain! As soon as we were all off the bus, the driver said he'd be back in an hour and he left us there.

We saw people walking around this cleared out area. There were some witchcraft shops and a little market. I honestly didn't notice very much because I kept my eyes closed most of the time. Our team gathered in a circle and began to pray. I held my Bible and my cube over my heart. I never felt afraid. Then someone started singing, in English. As we sang, a "witch" approached our circle and wanted to talk to our leader. Once again, Keith had to deal with it for us. She basically told him that if he and his group didn't leave, she was going to cast a spell on all of us. He kindly told her she couldn't do that because we all belonged to Jesus Christ and we were covered by His blood. She wasn't very happy. We continued to sing and pray. We didn't really know what else to do. People were looking at us. An old man was motioning people back and telling them to stay away from us.

Even though we were standing in the shade, it was pretty hot that day and there was no breeze. Then, a series of amazing things began to happen.

First, a ray of light shone through the trees, right into our circle. Then, all of a sudden, we felt this rush of wind blow through, so much so that it blew our hair from our faces. I asked my daughter, who was standing next to me, if she felt that. She did. It sounds a little "strange" but it was as if we could feel God breathing on us. Then, out of nowhere, a single white dove flew up and perched himself on a tree right above our heads. I could hear some of the team whispering and saying, "Do you see that dove?" He was beautiful. And he never moved. He stayed right there, looking at us.

I know that dove wasn't the Holy Spirit Himself. I do believe, however, God sent that dove to assure us that HE WAS THERE.

Have you ever "felt" someone looking at you? There was a family of five standing a few yards behind us and when I turned from the circle, they were looking right at me. The old man who was telling people earlier to stay away from us, apparently never got to this family. I believe God blinded him from seeing them. I told my translator that I knew I was suppose to go talk to these people. He was already walking that way. God had told him the same thing. Our circle broke up and our team began to spread out among the people who were gathered at the base of the mountain.

I and my translator approached the family of five. There was one man, one woman, and three teenage girls. We said, "God has brought us to this mountain to tell you how you can now for sure that when you die, you will go to heaven." We asked them if we could share this with them. The man stared at us for a minute, then walked away. The four ladies stayed. I got out my cube and Andre and I began to explain the gospel. As we shared with them what Jesus had done, the sacrifice He became for them, the hope that forgiveness brings, and the promise of eternal life, we could see their countenances changing. We inched closer and closer as we talked. At one point, I placed my hand on the woman's arm and tears were in her eyes. One of the young girls began to weep. Right there, at the base of Witch Mountain, they ALL prayed to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior! Several of our team had gathered around us and were praying. Nationals from our church immediately came to them and began to encourage them in their new faith. Some of the female translators began to talk to the teenage girls and just loved on them and praised God for their decision to follow Christ. It was amazing. God is amazing. The gospel message is amazing.

Our nationals wrote down where these ladies lived and told them they would come to visit them soon. They also invited them to come to the closing rally, which was to be held later that night. As we hugged them and prayed for them, the bus arrived to pick us up.

As we were loading the bus, the white dove flew away.

The closing rally that night at the "mother church" in downtown Chivacoa was a time of rejoicing, praising, and reflecting on all God had done that week. As the pastor talked to the crowd (in Spanish), my translator, Andre, turned to me and said, "Did you hear what he said? They're here!" I asked him, who is here? He said, "The ladies from the mountain!" Three of the four ladies who had accepted Christ on the mountain that day had come to church! We ran back to see them. We asked them if we could take their picture as a reminder to pray for them when we came back to America. I have that picture … and I'll never forget them.

God is at work in Venezuela. Not only in Chivacoa, but throughout the entire country. The church in Chivacoa no longer refers to Sorte as "Witch Mountain." It's "God's Mountain" now! But there is still so much to be done. We're going back. The churches need help and encouragement. They pray for it. I'll never forget the very first statement of the pastor from my first mission trip in Barquisimeto. It is forever etched in my memory. He said, "We have prayed and prayed that God would please send us a missionary." God revealed to me then that my obedience is the answer to someone else's prayer.

Web site designed and maintained by Michael J. Reaves, MCP