In Western cultures, most people try to explain supernatural events with science. This is not so in other cultures, particularly in Africa. Beliefs that Westerners might dismiss as irrational are logical in African cultures, and most people have witnessed genuine interaction between the spirit and material worlds.
People who work in allegiance with evil spirits to protect or hurt others are known as witches, wizards or sorcerers. Objects or animals can become links and mediums of contact between evil spirits and humans (Gen. 3:1). In allegiance and fear, many Africans worship these spiritual mediums for protection, prosperity and health. Unfortunately, these worshipers become victims of their own idols and suffer misfortune, disease or death if they break any rule. But those whom the spirits favor can benefit from their evil alliances to achieve great things and hurt their adversaries or anyone else they want to afflict.
As African missionaries working in Benin, the birthplace of Voodoo, we encounter tangible demonic power on a regular basis. In this article, I will tell you about three of these cases, the most recent of which happened three days ago.
There was a man in our neighborhood known as Mr. Il fait Peur (Mr. “He is Feared”). He was a renowned sorcerer, and nobody dared offend him. His victims were many and well known. He worked with some very dangerous spirits to cause misfortune, disease or death. Vendors paid him to enchant the jewelry and hair extensions they sold so that women who bought them would become bewitched and buy more. He also enchanted hair clippers, hair and skin creams, perfumes, pieces of clothing and many other items so the purchasers would come under the influence of demons and be spiritually tied to the vendors.
We were introduced to two ladies who were victims of Mr. Il fait Peur’s sorcery. One lady was invited to our mid-week prayer session by a friend who has been meeting with us for a year. The other lady came to one of our afternoon prayer sessions while she was visiting a brother who works at a nearby gas station. Both ladies were wearing jewelry and hair extensions that were linked with evil spirits.
As we began praying for each of these ladies, they both manifested the same behavior—pulling at their hair extensions, tearing off their jewelry, screaming and rolling on the floor. Our church ladies had to jump in with scissors to help them remove the hair extensions before they pulled out their real hair. It was a fearful spectacle.
This kind of event is frequent here in Benin in churches of all denominations. Evil forces are very active. But, as the Lord promised to those who believe in him, any sincere and committed prayer exposes them quickly (Mark 16:17).
But the most amazing part of this story has to do with Mr. Il fait Peur himself. Even as he worked his evil magic, his heart was being drawn by the Spirit of the Almighty God. Today, Mr. Il fait Peur worships his Lord and Savior with us, often standing side by side with Marinne, a lady who lives in his compound who used to be very afraid of him. Mr. Il fait Peur asked us to come and pray in his house and cleanse it from every evil presence. During the prayer session, he gave us the two fetishes from the entrance to his house that protected him from attack and cursed anyone who came into his house intending to hurt him.
Today, Mr. Il fait Peur is a new person. Praise God that your earnest prayers are being answered! Souls are being saved, and the enemy is losing ground. Thanks for being a part of our mission project. May God bless you.
