We walked along a dusty path between fences made of cactus and corrugated metal. A moto honked and zipped past us down the alleyway, then our village contact and translator veered left through a gate.
The gate was adorned with candles burning on the ground. We walked into a courtyard with a burning fire on one side, scattered with painted drums and little statues. The outer walls of the home were covered with symbols and scribbles in chalk and charcoal.
The curtain-door of the front entrance was pulled aside and we entered. To our left, there was a man lying on the ground. A woman lifted his head onto the pillow and helped him get situated. We greeted them both and we were informed that he was blind. Having met a man who was blinded by a demon in Zimbabwe, I began to pray silently for Holy Spirit to fill us and guide us.
The air was hot and heavy, ten people crammed into a tiny cinderblock room with a slight stale breeze from the back door to front. Our village contact and translator explained who we were and thanked them for allowing us into their home.
We made small talk and got to know the couple. We learned how long they had lived here, how many children they had, and that they weren’t actually married because her voodoo ghost/spirit said that they couldn’t. We learned they would have to leave their home soon because they only rented it. We also learned that the man was a born again Christian. He had been a voodoo priest for 11 years before he learned of the gospel and surrendered his life to Jesus. When he did this, his wife took over the role as the voodoo priest 6 years ago.
We learned that his eyesight was indeed the work of a voodoo curse and not a health problem. We continued to talk and exchange questions. One of the Mission of Hope interns, Laura, had already been there some time many months ago. Back then, the woman’s statement was the same: “I don’t want to do voodoo, but it provides money for our kids, for us to survive.”
We took turns reading scripture and sharing our stories about God’s ability and desire to provide for us. As people spoke, I prayed for God to speak to me and tell me what to say and do.
The woman told us, that if she stopped voodoo, she would have no way to provide ,and they would suffer. We shared the gospel with her. We shared with her that our time on earth is just a small vapor compared to the eternity ahead. We told her how much God loves us, and that he desires for us to have eternal life in heaven with Him, and God Gabe it to us as a gift through Jesus.
I shared a verse from Mark 8 that talks about having the whole world but forfeiting your soul. That because she knew the truth of the gospel, she was choosing to forfeit her soul.
Then, I was taken by surprise. She said she had already accepted Jesus a long time ago. Other people began to talk with her, and I prayed and asked the Lord.
“Does this woman have you in her heart?”
“No.” He answered.
I waited a few moments, and asked God, “What should I do?”
I remembered that my squad leader, Madie, had a dream a few days earlier. In the dream, we were casting out demons by name.
I asked God, “What is the name of her demon?”
“DeJeane” He answered.
It sounded like French creole, but I wasn’t totally certain how I should go about this. God helped me to be patient as I continued to pray.
At the next break in the conversation, I asked if I could share something with her.
“You said that you accepted Jesus long ago, but I don’t want you to be confused. You cannot follow Jesus, and also follow these evil spirits of voodoo. In John 3:3 the Bible tells us that unless someone is born again, they cannot see the kingdom of God. This means that you have to die to your old self, and have new life in Christ. Again, I don’t want you to be confused. You cannot be saved simply by saying some words at church. To be saved you must truly be born again by surrendering everything to Jesus and truly making Him the Lord and savior of your life. It takes a true death and resurrection of your soul.”
I paused a second as she let the words sink in. “I just wanted to share that truth with you today so that you know it in your soul. Now, can I ask you a question Madame?”
“Oui”
“What does the word ‘DeJeane’ mean to you?”
“A man cannot have two masters” she replied. Her eyes got big as we stared at each other from across the room. God had named her demon.
I asked if I could pray for them both, and she agreed. Our village contact then gave another inspired word of truth and encouragement from the gospel and were the continuation of voodoo instead of Jesus would lead.
Next, I squatted down to pray, and told her, “Our God is a loving God. He loves you so much, and He wants you to have Him in your heart. He wants you to spend eternity with Him in heaven.”
I laid hands on her and her husband. I prayed for healing and freedom. In the name of Jesus Christ, the curse of voodoo and witchcraft was broken. In the name of Jesus Christ, the demon, DeJeane, was cast out. I prayed that she would renounce the ways of voodoo and surrender to Jesus. That as they are forced to leave their home soon, that God would provide for them. That He would give them a home and an income that would not be used for the darkness of voodoo, but instead, be a place filled with the light of Holy Spirit.
I finished praying, and my teammate, Ian, stepped forward. He asked to pray for the man’s eyes. We prayed three times for healing to come. His sight didn’t change.
At that time, God spoke the same thing to my teammates, Ian, Connor, and me.
Ian started speaking, “This blindness is a curse from voodoo. Madame, you spoke of suffering, but voodoo is making him suffer this blindness. He will not be healed as long as you are practicing voodoo.”
Next, Connor said, “It will only happen when you renounce voodoo and surrender to Jesus, and when you do this, you must pray for his eyes to heal in the name of Jesus.”
I was amazed as they spoke because God had spoken the same words to me in that moment. This whole time, I stayed crouched behind the man and woman. I was just smiling and thanking God for His love and grace. He gives it so freely to us who don’t deserve it.
We thanked the couple, and filtered out the front door. Our translator informed me that DeJeane is, indeed, a name for one of the voodoo spirits/demons. I had anticipated a moment like this for a long time. Jesus has told us that we would cast out demons in His name. Today, by His grace, we did. To God Be the glory.
We stopped at the house next door, and had a great conversation with a couple of young Christians. We shared scripture, encouraged them, sang some Kirk Franklin, it was great. The young woman asked us a question.
“Do you really believe in what you are preaching and saying? Do you really believe it, or do you just do it because you’re on a mission trip?”
We just smiled.
“With all my heart.”
“Yes, I would die for my God.”
“He speaks to us and we see Him every day.”
Our God is very much alive.
