Every year as a little girl, Sandialove’s family would take her to the countryside to prepare food offerings for demon spirits.

Born into a voodoo family, she grew up surrounded by rituals and expectations that weighed heavily on her young life. She sang in the voodoo choir. Frequent sickness and epileptic seizures deepened her family’s reliance on voodoo priests, who attempted treatment but never brought real relief.

This summer, everything changed.

After beginning to attend JiHM’s youth group activities in February, and then joining the discipleship class later in the spring, Sandialove placed her faith in Christ on June 6.

“The discipleship class definitely played a big part,” Pastor Derson shared. “What she was learning there led her to eventually accept Jesus as her savior.”

Now, just a few months into her new life, Sandialove is already experiencing the freedom that only Christ can bring.

“Since I found Christ, I have found freedom,” she says. “I no longer have the obligation to go to the countryside to make offerings for demons. I used to constantly have bad nightmares and get sick every month, but today I’ve received healing. I also feel like I’m part of a family that truly cares for me and looks out for me.”

Her growth has been evident. She says she has noticed God softening her heart and teaching her self-control. “I didn’t like to ask for forgiveness, even when I was wrong,” she admits. “I always wanted to respond when someone insulted me. But now I notice that I’ve started to control my emotions.”

Though her parents are not yet believers, they’ve begun to recognize the changes in her. Her mother even comments at times on the difference she sees.

Pastor Derson calls her “one of the most engaged and insightful members of our discipleship class.”

“Having Pastor Derson and Pastor Evald in the village is a blessing,” she said. “They are always there to give me advice and teach me many things I didn’t know about God and the Christian life. They also pray with me when I’m sick, and they correct me when I start to stray from the right path.”

Sandialove still faces challenges, including doubts from others who aren’t convinced of her transformation. But her prayer is that God would continue to change her radically so she can influence others for Christ.

From her childhood in voodoo rituals to her decision for Christ this summer, Sandialove’s journey is a powerful reminder that God’s Word is living and active—and that He is bringing light out of darkness in Village Demier.