Sister Christine lives in the small West African country of Togo. Togo is the seat of voodooism, the cruelest of all human bondage, marked by superstitious beliefs in the spirits. Witchdoctors claim to communicate with the spirits of the deceased to guide and warn the family members. Often, they prescribe animal sacrifices to appease the spirits in hopes of attaining healing for the living. Everyone’s lives revolve around appeasing their departed loved ones, and it is a brutal environment for anyone—including those who want to become Seventh-day Adventist Christians.

Despite these conditions, Christine decided to turn away from the ancient practice of sorcery for healing and to look instead to the God of Heaven who alone has the power to rebuke disease. She had suffered from epilepsy for several years, and had received no healing from all the sacrifices made. Everything changed when Elder Joel, an MPI-supported Bible worker, met Christine at her door. Christine eagerly listened as Joel presented Christ as her only hope of eternal life and happiness. Then he asked if there was anything she would like him to pray for. Christine unburdened her heart about her physical illness. Brother Joel prayed in faith that God would heal this young woman. Then he offered to come back to do Bible studies with her, which Christine gladly accepted.