Haunted Bridges

“A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.” John 10:10, HCSB.

The following story may seem like an urban legend, but it is not. It has been verified by reliable sources and represents a window into the superstitious, dark side of life in one predominately Buddhist nation in Southeast Asia.

Many people here believe that a spirit must guard their houses, business, or public places. Usually, this involves constructing a spirit house, or its equivalent, and giving daily offerings of food and drink to appease the spirits. Bridges, however, are different. At the completion of a bridge-building project, a human sacrifice is required, and someone is sent to find one. If one is not found, they themselves are offered. The victim is beheaded with the belief that their spirit will always remain at the bridge, guarding and protecting all who pass over. Currently, the government has hundreds of bridges under construction.

As the story goes, a stranger entered a village and struck up a warm conversation with a young family. The wife was about to give birth, and her husband asked the outsider to stay with her while he ran to the doctor to get help. When he returned, both the mother and child were gone. Frantically searching, he found them underneath a recently completed bridge. Both had been decapitated. Locals believe mother and child haunt the bridge and watch over it. Neither mother nor child received a funeral because Buddhists believe that they were being punished by karma for some heinous crime they had committed in a previous life.

These people are willing to go to any length to protect themselves from evil spirits. Most have never heard of the One that gave His life so that they could be free from the shackles of the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus crushed the power of death and offers undying life to all who will trust in Him. Christ, not karma, rules over this world and holds all creation together, but these people have never heard this truth. And they will never hear unless we come and tell them.

Pray that:

Many will join us as we share the Good News and that many will believe and receive the glory of God.

The things done in darkness will be exposed in the light, and many will turn to the One who can save them forever.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.