Orai Lehman's Story

Returning to their own country after training,
they developed numerous leaders and sent them
to disciple their people and plant new churches.

The Hope and Holiness Trust
is Training & Empowering Leaders

It’s hard to believe it happens today, but there he was: a man chained to a tree with shackles on his legs made from split logs. It was the only way they could hold him down. They had tried to confine him in a building, but he would force his way out, cut and bleeding. They had tried to treat him at mental hospitals, but his vicious attacks were relentless, and the hospitals in Mozambique couldn’t keep him. He wasn’t insane; it was worse. This frothing, starving man was possessed by demons.

Rewind ten years. The country of Mozambique was suffering. With little food or work, a pall permeated the land. Missionaries worked faithfully but saw little reward for their efforts, and were unsure if they would leave any legacy in this dark place. God was at work. Two young Mozambican men desperate for work found their way to South Africa and heard the gospel for the first time. Exhilarated by the hope they discovered in Jesus, they returned to their country to share the good news.

Raoul was one of their first converts. He began following Jesus and telling others about the Lord. People who had never before heard the name of Jesus responded with great joy, and churches began springing up. Raoul learned everything he could about Christ from the missionaries but wanted more so he could better disciple the new believers. Mozambique had no Bible college, so Raoul decided to attend one in Swaziland. His wife was expecting a baby, but that didn’t stop them from obeying God’s call. After three days on a crowded bus en route to Swaziland, Maria gave birth. They continued on their journey the next morning.

The hand of God was on Raoul and his wife when they returned to their own country after their training. Many received the gospel, and the need for a Bible college in Mozambique was desperate. Orai Lehman, an American missionary, was commissioned to start Xai-Xai Bible College. Raoul directed numerous leaders to the college, and then sent them back out to disciple the people.

One man saved was Jamal, a Muslim mechanic. He was thrilled to know the Lord. After attending the Bible college for three years, he returned to his town to minister there—raising up more than 20 churches in a few years. Over time, Jamal became concerned about his brother who lived 120 miles away. Jamal had distanced himself from Abilio for good reason, but now Jamal could not stop thinking of his brother, who was without hope and without love—shackled and chained to a tree.

Jamal made the journey to the coastal city where his brother lived and got permission to release the man for treatment. But back in his own town, Jamal didn’t know what to do. Abilio was still violent and also in terrible pain. His flesh was torn apart where the shackles held him, and his legs were numb. Jamal turned to Raoul, knowing only the power of God could save his brother.

“Please pray for him,” he begged. Raoul agreed. He called the church, and together they fasted and prayed for an entire day. Something happened. Abilio felt tingling in his legs and saw the flesh healing before his eyes. At that moment he knew the prayers would be answered: the demons would leave him! Sure enough, as the church prayed, numerous demons fled from Abilio, shrieking and screaming as they went.

Jamal cared for Abilio, teaching him the Word and nurturing his faith. Soon, Abilio returned to his town, electrifying the community. After seeing the JESUS Film, hundreds of people gave their lives to Christ, saying, “God saved our modern-day demoniac just as he did in the film!” Today Abilio is a mature Christian, a pastor to the pastors of the many churches that sprang up. The story doesn’t end there. Like a wild game of leapfrog, the gospel is spreading from person to person. Churches are springing up faster than leaders can be raised.

Those faithful few who labored in the dark years of Mozambique left a legacy that has multiplied beyond their imagination, and today the name of Jesus is not just known in that country, but glorified.