Vodoo Priest Turns to Jesus

A little over a year ago Austin took a team of college students to Haiti for Spring break. They went into the mountains and partnered with JeanJean and Kristie's small ministry called United Christians International. They share the gospel with many kids, vodoo priests and provide seminary training for Haitian pastors who walk up to 11 hours to get there every week.

We hear from Kristie and JeanJean regularly and wanted to share with you what they see God doing in Haiti. Get ready to be amazed. 

Excert from Kristie and JeanJean's latest letters:
"When we started the Sunday afternoon service called ‘Come as You Are,’ we had invited all the voodoo priests in our area to come.  We wanted to provide a safe, informal time for people to listen to the Bible and hear about Christianity.  It was our intention, not to force or to shame people into hearing the gospel, but rather to provide a choice.  So many people that practice vodou continue in this religion due to not feeling that they have another option... Andre Chansma was the vodou priest who said, “We, as vodou priests, cannot do anything to true Christians; they are protected.  Satan only has power over pretend Christians.”  Later he had also told JeanJean, “Jesus is not for me; I don’t need Him.”  We had taken teams of American and Haitian Christians to pray with him, but while he was interested, he never wanted to make a commitment. 

Yesterday, Andre sent someone to ask us to come to his house.  He has had medical problems for awhile and he had been in a car accident while we were in the US... He was ready to accept Jesus as His own Savior.  He was broken up because of the horrid sins in his past as a witchdoctor. But, we know that God takes all of our sins and can make us pure again.  Today, after our prayer and fasting service, 20 people went to Andre’s house to celebrate this man’s re-birth.  He got up from his bed for the first time in weeks and walked into the public road.  He insisted on burning his fetishes and vodou paraphernalia in front of everyone.  He even asked JeanJean to have it announced on the radio that Andre is no longer for hire as a witchdoctor; he is a Christian.  It is joy to say that he is our brother in the Lord." 

Two months later JeanJean reports:
"Andre Chansman continues to rejoice in his new-found faith.  He is a witness to all around him.  He still has many people that come to him wanting him to perform vodou for them but he uses those opportunities to share about Jesus.  Andre tells these people who still put their faith in Satan's power that the devil and his evil spirits have only limited power.  If they want to experience true power, they need to accept Christ as their Savior.  Christ will protect and give peace and joy.  He recently was able to talk to 3 other witchdoctors from his hometown of Maisade (a town quite a distance away)  and lead them to faith!!  Those 3 men will be under the discipleship of another pastor/friend of JeanJean that lives in their area.  Andre's light is so evident to others that they can't help but notice how different he is--may we all have that light!  Andre is basically bedridden.  We don't know the full extent of his illness but I worry he may have prostate cancer.  He has been struggling with this for almost a year.  Please pray for his health and for God's guidance." 

 

Incredible huh! God is so amazing. He is a radcial woo-er of hearts.

I'm linked up with... A Holy Experience, We Are That Family, Women Living Well