Driving through the “voodoo fields” on the way to the remote village of Chaffrey, Pastor Duckson kept repeating, “There’s a voodoo house, there’s a Voodoo tree, there’s another…” When I asked him what they did there, he said the voodoo priests would chant and call on demons to possess them and make sacrifices…

Voodoo has been in control of this land for over a century. Satan’s power is very strong and extreme darkness covers the area. It seemed hopeless. Last January, I got to pray with a small group of new believers in the area. I strongly encouraged them to keep meeting and to not give up. Just like a fire starts with a spark; the light of Jesus will someday overtake the darkness around them. Last week I returned and couldn’t wait to see how they were doing. The events from last Friday will be forever etched in my mind… here is Bernard’s story:

The sound of gospel music and preaching filled the air early Friday afternoon and stirred Bernard’s heart with rage. He and 9 other Voodoo priests had ruled this village in Haiti for years. Until recently there wasn’t any opposition. This was Voodoo territory and he was done with the new Christians! He made the decision to burn down the little structure where the Christians had started meeting every Friday.

For over a year Pastor Duckson and his leaders (Timothy’s from the town of Biley) had been earnestly praying that God would break Satan’s grip on Chaffrey. Every Friday they walked an hour to share God’s story with the people from the town and over forty have now given their lives to Christ!

When Bernard went to threaten the Christians with burning down their meeting place, he didn’t realize that God was about to flip the tables on him. Instead of being scared, Pastor Duckson and the Christians loved Bernard! They shared with him about the Good news of Jesus. He had never heard of heaven or hell. After asking them more about heaven, He told them he was destined for hell. “I’ve done a lot, I mean a lot of bad things and I have killed lots of people. Surely God couldn’t forgive me.”

But that evening Bernard was set free! He gave his life to Christ and became a new creation. Immediately, he invited Pastor Duckson and the “Timothy’s” to his house to burn all the artifacts he used in Voodoo rituals and sacrifices. Bernard went from planning to burn down a church building to burning his connection with Voodoo instead!

I had the privilege of meeting Bernard and praying with him last Friday – it moved me to tears. Seeing the power of God in such a tangible way was amazing! I believe this is a pivotal time for Chaffrey. As Bernard goes, so goes the village.

Please PRAY for Bernard (or as my kid’s call him – Saint Bernard). He is under physical and spiritual attack. Six of the Voodoo priests in the area want to kill him! Three are waiting to see if what happens to Bernard. Waiting to see if God protects him, waiting to see if God’ power is truly able to set him free. There is a spiritual battle waging and I believe that Bernard will set the tone for a massive move of God in the area! But the enemy knows this as well. The evil spirits that Bernard had been possessed by for decades are not leaving him alone. Pray that Bernard will continue to walk in freedom, stand strong and resist the enemy through the power of Jesus! Pray that the darkness will be overcome in the town of Chaffrey and the light of Jesus will shine bright. May the people there be set free from spiritual darkness.