THE ADJIDJANTOME ENCOUNTER

Adjidjantome is not only a strong hold of voodoo; it is a village known for strange and mysterious deaths. Many people are believed to have left Adjidjantome for others and only the brave and equally versatile in voodoo stay behind.  Sometimes the area was reported to be very "tensed" and it was believed to be engaged in constant warfare –  spiritual warfare. The people of Adjidjantome are very diligent in sacrificing to their gods and asking penance for sins committed, sometimes ages ago. Our missionaries have personally seen some of these rituals and speak of thick cloves with human heads erected on poles.

Houndjo Hounkpe was one of the leading Voodoo priest of Adjidjantome. His followers testified that he had helped them out of many troubles and bondages. Others also testified that they had consulted him to rain havoc and destruction on their enemies.  His strong faith in the power of dead ancestors and authority that he possessed made him very hostile to the gospel and in all the years that Pioneers-Benin served amongst the unreached in Adjidjantome. They had always known him as one who would not entertain any believers and had planned to sabotage many of their activities – but they prayed for him and all his followers.

Houndjo Hounkpe in the years as a priest had made lots of money from curing diseases to providing love charms to numerous individuals. On one such occasion it was believed that he had had an affair with a woman who had come to him for help and thus was summoned before the village chief to defend himself. The only group who could help him out, the Company of Priest also abandoned him and accused him of many other illicit acts. Soon everyone including his friends and some family members turned against him and his children began to get very sick. It was at this very low moment in his life that he drudgingly found his way to the Pioneers missionaries.

The Lord ministered to him and he knelt before them with his hands raised. Eyes full of rage and pain, gave way to tears of peace and forgiveness - Houndjo, was so ready to hear God’s word and hungry for freedom and deliverance. The team prayed with him and he accepted Christ. He decided to change his name from Houndjo Hounkpe  to Moise Mahoutin (Moses Mahoutin). He also burnt all his charms and shaved his hair - a sign that he was not returning to his gods. Later the team took him to Manonkpon where he spent two months for follow up, in prayer and study of the Word of God.

We call on all believers to pray for the village of Adjidjantome , which is a hub for deep seated spiritual activity. The bible says “ For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Eph 6:12,13 NIV). We need all the spiritual and physical resources to stand our ground. Praise God Christ in all his glory and power has already defeated every spiritual authority. ( Col 2:15).

There is already a church in Adjidjantome hence we are planning with the pastor of the village to re-evangelize the whole area in order to strengthen the church. Please continue to stand with us. Amen.