Eldet Tine

One day during a church Elders’ meeting, one of the pastor’s wives interrupted with an urgent message that one of her neighbors, a very prominent witch doctor/Voodoo Priest was seeking our help. We dropped everything and followed her directions to where we could find him. What I encountered next changed me forever. A weak, emaciated man, that weeks before had been one of Satan’s most effective tools in Haiti sat helpless before us. His story sounds made up, but it is true. Jean-Marie told me how he never wanted for money, he was provided everything he could ever need by providing deeds and favors for the demon that used him. He would stay up all night, communing with the demon who strengthened and directed him. People would come from all over, even contacting him from the states, to provide favors, healing, and curses; lines of people offering in the thousands of dollars, one man even shipped him a truck as a gift for his services. He had indescribable power bestowed on him from the demon. One night the demon described a banquet he required of Jean-Marie to assemble; the demon demanded a sampling of every food, bread, fruit, and vegetable that could be found. As always, Jean-Marie obeyed and assembled the banquet and prepared for the ceremony. However, the demon required one last thing….a human sacrifice. Jean-Marie refused and so the demon removed his favor and power and Jean Marie immediately began to be afflicted by the worse kind of pain and suffering.

He went to all of his witch doctor friends who could not heal him and even went to conventional doctors who also could not help him. The pain and suffering became so bad, he tried to end his life by jumping off of a bridge, but some men stepped in and pulled him down. He then found a hidden corner of a fence next to the road to sit and hide. That’s when he saw his neighbor…a pastor’s wife, he knew she had the answer to his suffering and called her over.

Jean Marie insisted his whole family be present to hear from our elder team about Jesus, and all of them gave their lives to the only One who Saves! The moment he accepted Jesus, everything in his life changed. He knew what he had to do and did it immediately. The church came together to help him burn his idols, statues, and evil devices. He chopped down his Voodoo flag and pole. He and his wife got married before God. The change in Jean-Marie convinced his brother, also a witch doctor/voodoo priest to trust in Jesus as well! They have encountered every kind of persecution since putting their faith in Jesus, but they have been unwavering. Jean-Marie says the freedom and peace he has in Christ is worth whatever he must endure.