Though following Jesus comes at a high cost, Bienvenu finds great rewards as well.

“Bienvenu, following Jesus could cost you everything,” the pastor warned me kindly on the day of my baptism.

“I understand,” I answered confidently. “No price is too high for Christ.”

I soon discovered how true the pastor’s words were. My life turned upside down. Neighbors scoffed, family members threatened, and the sharpest wound came at home—my husband was not supportive either. The reason for this hatred from those closest to me was the fact that I had turned my back on the traditional ways of witchcraft. Everyone around me believed in these ways with all their hearts. Jesus’ words echoed in my mind: “You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends…” (Luke 21:16).

The only way that I was able to stand firm in my own faith was to ask for prayer by the faithful brothers and sisters in my church. They were so good to not only pray, but to support me through many different trials.

Not long after my baptism, mysterious pains began to plague me. Tests at the local hospital showed nothing. “Everything is negative,” the doctors would shrug. “We don’t know what’s going on.”

This continued for several months. I was in agony, with no reason for the pain. The church members began to fast and pray that the Lord would save me from these attacks.

One Friday night, the pain grew unbearable. My husband paced the floor, unable to do anything. “Tomorrow we will visit the witch doctor. He will tell us what’s wrong.”

I refused. “I cannot. I believe in Jesus.”

My husband slammed his fist on the table. “Will you wait until death to act? Where is your God now? Why does He let you suffer like this?”

That night I prayed and asked the Lord to save me.

Sabbath morning dawned. My husband rose early. “I’m going to talk with the witch doctor,” he
said, mounting his motorbike.
I pleaded with him to not go, but he wouldn’t listen and sped off. After he left, I prayed that God would somehow prevent him from seeing the witch doctor.

Around 9am, I still felt weak, so I took a nap. I dreamed of shadowy figures circling me, knives flashing.

“Jesus, help!” I cried.

In my dream a brilliant hand lifted me upward—higher, into clear blue sky—far above the blades. I awoke suddenly . . . and realized that I was completely free of pain! 

I felt so good that I decided to go and work outside. Moments later, the gate creaked. My husband walked into the yard, staring at me with an astonished expression. “You’re working? How?” 

“The Lord has healed me,” I said, grinning. “Were you able to see the witch doctor?” 

My husband shook his head. “I never got to the witch doctor. My motorbike tire went flat on the way, and I had to stop at the mechanic’s. By the time I got to the witch doctor’s house, he was gone for the day.”

In my heart, I silently praised the Lord for answering my prayer. Thank You, Father. You answered my prayer twice—healing me and keeping my husband from visiting the witch doctor.

We returned to the hospital for new tests. The doctor scanned the results, puzzled. “Madam, did you take medicine elsewhere?” 

“Only prayer,” I replied. “God healed me.”

This time, my husband didn’t scoff. When we returned home, he told our children, “Your mother’s God is powerful.”

Since then my husband has lingered at the church doorway on Sabbaths, arms folded but listening. The pastor now meets him weekly for Bible study. I continue to pray that he will give his life to Jesus very soon.

My experience of divine intervention and healing serves as a testament to the power of prayer and the miraculous work of God. I want to encourage any who face similar storms to trust God’s faithfulness. May my testimony remind you that unseen forces bow to whispered prayer, and the hardest hearts can open when God works miracles.  

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Location
Togo

Author
Told by Bienvenu Keleng to Agamah Balakibawi, district pastor in the Kara region of northern Togo. 

How You Can Help
Pray for Keleng as she moves forward in her newfound faith in Jesus and witnesses to her husband about the truth. 

Give. To help the evangelistic work in Togo, send your gift marked “Togo Evangelism” to: 

Mission Projects International 
PO Box 237
Kirksville, MO 63501

To give securely online, visit: www.missionspro.org/donate