Recently one of the Wa students at the school died at age 16 which was used by God to remind us that people here really need to know the one true God. This student had been at the school for six years and finished the fourth grade last summer. During these years he had come to know God and the salvation of our Lord.

The local officials and his own parents did not allow him to receive baptism nor to join the worship services. This youth drew a cross on his family barn and wrote “O Lord, you are my God” under the cross.

He told the school early this year that, because his sister-in-law had a baby, he felt that he should quit school and join the family work force voluntarily. Unfortunately, after quitting school, he found out that he had a tumor in his right cheek. His parents followed their cultural tradition and sought guidance from a local witch doctor who reads chicken bones to inquire about the fate of this young boy.  Because the reading indicated that he would die, the family, believing that if he dies outside of his home he will bring further calamities to the family, refused to let him go to the hospital some 60 km away to receive treatment. As a result the tumor grew bigger and bigger so he could not eat, drink nor hear.

By the time the school heard about it several weeks later from another student, they found him extremely thin and closed to death. When they visited him, he opened his eyes and held their hands firmly. Then he passed away a few days later.

• Pray the students and their parents will learn from this the evil of superstition and also learn to treat illness before it is too late.