For centuries, a remote African tribe called the Batwa Pygmies in Uganda worshipped the devil and performed witchcraft. But thanks to Christian missionaries who introduced them to Jesus Christ, they have given up their past, sinful ways and embraced salvation.
"We smoked; we drank; we performed witchcraft," said Jovanis Nyirakayanje, a Batwa Pygmy. "We were devil worshippers [and] we used to live like animals in the jungle."
Their conversion to Christianity began in 1992 when the government in the Ugandan capital of Kampala decided to turn their habitat into a national park and World Heritage site for endangered mountain gorillas, according to Charisma News.
"The result was that the Batwa were evicted from the forest," said Dr. Scott Kellermann, an American physician who is studying the Batwa people.
These "keepers of the forest," who have made the caves and trees their home, suddenly became refugees. When Christian couple Tugume and Barbara Gerald heard of their plight, they decided to step in.
"People could not even give them work to do because they thought maybe these pygmies are like animals," Gerald explained.
The Geralds moved from Kampala to the small village of Kisoro and began spreading the Gospel to the Pygmies. "I began by preaching the message of hope to the hopeless," Gerald said. As a result, hundreds of Batwa Pygmies became touched by the love of God.
Nyirakayanje, for one, was one of the first to pledge his life to Christ. "It was the first time anyone had ever told us about Jesus," Nyirakayanje told CBN News. "We were servants of the devil, but then we heard Christ died for our sins, and that changed our lives!"
Nyirakayanje was so moved by God's love that he even joined Gerald's ministry team. "Just as Christ did for me, I believe His message of salvation is going to change the lives of my tribe," he said.
Aside from spiritual salvation, the Geralds are also helping heal Batwa Pygmies who have been diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. One Pygmy girl, who was on the verge of death, was even given a new lease in life after being prayed over.
"They brought the child here. She was almost dead, and they started praying for her," recalled Barbara. "They prayed, prayed — actually, they prayed for five hours! I was there; I couldn't believe it! I was there! The child got healed. I said glory be to God!"
With over 1,000 Batwa Pygmies who have been enriched by the Gospel, the Geralds founded a church in the region as well as a school. Pygmies, who used to be animal hunters, are now learning to farm. Still, poverty is overwhelming.
"If you can imagine poverty, which exists everywhere in the world, yet these are the poorest of the poor," said Tino Qahoush, a documentary producer and Regent University graduate.
With the help of churches in Sweden, Qahoush was able to provide them with school supplies, shoes and clothes for the children. They are also building small homes for the Batwa.
"What I like about this ministry is that it is run by the Batwa Pygmies; they have formed a board; they are caring for their own people," Qahoush said. "And we just want to empower them and give them some resources to stand on their feet."
