“You have to do the ceremonies”—a phrase Mama Jacques would come to regret saying to her son Jaque almost a year ago.

The father of one of the evangelists had died, and all the other evangelists came to support the family. The evangelists were talking to the villagers and witnessing to them when they found out that Jacque was being attacked by evil spirits and needed prayer. After praying for him and rebuking the spirits, Jacque was freed, and the other evangelists in the village started to study with him, teaching him about God and salvation and how he did not need to be afraid of evil spirits. After five months of Bible studies, Jacque was baptized.

A couple of months later, Mama Jacques, who didn’t know anything about God and believed that her son needed to perform the ceremonies to be saved, insisted—no, basically forced—that he do them. He didn’t want to obey, but after her continual insistence, he performed the sacrifices. A few months later, evil spirits attacked Jacque, and he died.

Mama Jacques was sad and didn’t know what to do. The spirits would make noise, bothering her, and she was not able to sleep. Sometime later, while at a small store to make a purchase, she heard André, the evangelist, speaking about God. His words drew her in, and she went back each night to listen to him preach. As she listened, she was finally convinced that Jesus was the truth and the better way.

When André asked if anyone wanted to give their lives to God, Mama Jacques chose Jesus as her Savior and gave her life over to Him. She found the peace that she had been looking for, and she slept well for the first night in a very long time. She had also been sick; no doctor could heal her, and she didn’t know what to do to recover her health. However, when she asked Jesus to come into her life, the spirits who had been causing the illness left. Now Mama Jacques has the best health she has had in a long time. Additionally, she did not have any food and was hungry when she gave her life to Christ. But He blessed her with an abundant sorghum harvest at the end of the season.

Mama Jacques knows that Jesus lives and that He has helped and blessed her. She praises Him and thanks Him for health and for giving her peace. Jacque didn’t die in vain. Through this tragedy, his mother is saved and is preparing for baptism.

• Twitter