{"id":49549,"date":"2024-03-26T14:00:45","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T05:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/?p=49549"},"modified":"2024-03-26T14:19:40","modified_gmt":"2024-03-26T05:19:40","slug":"vomk-report-296","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/2024\/03\/26\/vomk-report-296\/","title":{"rendered":"SIERRA LEONE: YOUNG GIRL TURNS FROM SATAN TO CHRIST, NOW MARKED FOR DEATH BY GRANDMOTHER"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”49532″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”As a young girl in Sierra Leone, Africa, Miracle was taught by her grandmother to invoke demonic spirits and perform brutal rituals for a secret Satanic religious society. But now that Miracle has become a Christian, she herself has been marked for death by her grandmother.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:1.2em|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” el_class=”headline”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\u201c<\/span>For two years<\/span>, <\/span>Miracle, <\/span>who was <\/span>known as Sassa until coming to faith in Christ at age 14, performed ancient rituals that involved interacting with demons, casting spells and performing bodily mutilations<\/span>,\u201d says Voice of the Martyrs Korea Representative Dr<\/span>.<\/span> Hyun Sook Foley<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]According to Representative Foley, Miracle, now age 24, <\/span>learned the rituals from her grandmother, who <\/span>still <\/span>leads the secret society.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Miracle told Voice of the Martyrs that d<\/span>uring th<\/span>e<\/span> two years<\/span> she was active in the society, <\/span>she felt no fear of the evil spirits with which she interacted. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>In fact, she felt comfortable in their presence<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]According to Voice of the Martyrs, m<\/span>ore than half of Sierra Leoneans <\/span>identify<\/span> themselves <\/span>a<\/span>s <\/span>Muslims, <\/span>while <\/span>13% <\/span>identify<\/span> themselves as <\/span>Christians. Most of the remaining population practice ethnic religions.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]But Representative Foley says that d<\/span>espite th<\/span>ese <\/span>public <\/span>religious identifications, <\/span>an estimated 90% <\/span>of Sierra Leoneans are <\/span>additionally aligned with secret societies that dominate all aspects of life in Sierra Leone.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>At about the age of puberty, boys are often initiated into the Poro society and girls are initiated into the Bondo society, also known as Bundu or Sande<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley. \u201c<\/span>Leaders of these societies hold considerable local power, and national politicians even seek their endorsement and promise to protect their rituals and customs.<\/span> Families that refuse to join or <\/span>participate<\/span> in the societies, including Christians, are treated as outcasts.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]According to Voice of the Martyrs, d<\/span>uring the Poro initiation ceremonies, boys receive ritualistic cuts on their backs, signifying the teeth marks of a demonic spirit. <\/span>G<\/span>irls who enter Bondo suffer ritual genital mutilation as an initiation to womanhood.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Nine out of ten girls undergo this ritual in Sierra Leone, which has the highest rate of female genital mutilation in Africa<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>The women who administer these rites are revered and are believed to hold supernatural powers.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”49536″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Representative Foley say that <\/span>Miracle was born into a Muslim family and raised by her grandmother from <\/span>a young age<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Her grandmother is a <\/span>zowei<\/span>, a Bondo leader for her village<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>. <\/span>\u201cW<\/span>hen Miracle turned 12, her grandmother began preparing her to become a <\/span>zowei<\/span> as well.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]As the Bondo initiation starts, the girls have their faces painted with white clay and are led deep into the forest by a \u201cdevil.\u201d The <\/span>zowei<\/span>, who embodies the devil, wears a wooden mask <\/span>and a costume of palm leaves. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>The <\/span>\u2018<\/span>devil<\/span>\u2019<\/span> typically uses an unsterilized razor or knife to <\/span>perform genital <\/span>mutilat<\/span>ion on <\/span>the girls, who are often tied down <\/span>with <\/span>mouths covered<\/span>, and anesthetized using a potion made from leaves,\u201d says Representative Foley.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Following the ritual, the girls take an oath of secrecy and are told that if they <\/span>disclose<\/span> the society\u2019s secrets they will be killed.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Miracle told Voice of the Martyrs that as she <\/span>grew in her understanding of Bondo rituals, her grandmother allowed her to wear the devil costume and conduct the mutilations herself.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>She was 13 at the time<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>.<\/span> \u201cIn two <\/span>years<\/span> she performed the rituals on 35 other young girls.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Looking back on those two years of her childhood, Miracle said she felt as if she had lost control of her soul, invoking <\/span>demons<\/span> and seeking their guidance. \u201cIn the secret society, you are assisted by an evil spirit to carry it out,\u201d she <\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs<\/span>. \u201cIn most of my work, I operated alongside the evil <\/span>spirits<\/span> and they directed me what to do.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”49538″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Miracle changed her name to honor how God had brought her from darkness to light. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230f0f0f|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]But <\/span>Miracle <\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs that there were <\/span>limitations to the dark power she gained<\/span> from<\/span> demons<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is something in Christian<\/span>s<\/span> that prevents you from taking that soul,\u201d she said. \u201cI saw it in the children who became Christians; when we wanted to take them, it was difficult. Those children you cannot take. There is a force that fights you.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]According to Representative Foley, o<\/span>ne evening when Miracle\u2019s grandmother was visiting another village, a Christian pastor arrived with a projector and a small screen. He had come to the village to share the JESUS film.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>As she watched<\/span> the film<\/span>, Miracle said she felt moved by Christ\u2019s teachings and miracles<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>She also realized that she had <\/span>encountered<\/span> Jesus in the spiritual realm. He was the force who had protected the Christians she and her grandmother had tried to control.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cMy heart was fixed to the Lord Jesus Christ,\u201d <\/span>Miracle told Voice of the Martyrs<\/span>. \u201cI started yearning to give my life to Christ.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]At the conclusion of the film, the pastor asked if anyone wanted to place <\/span>their <\/span>faith in Jesus Christ. Miracle decided to walk forward. \u201cI made an attempt,\u201d she <\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs<\/span>, \u201cbut it was like something held me back.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Although she <\/span>didn\u2019t<\/span> walk forward at that moment, Miracle later joined the pastor and others at a church in a nearby village, where they prayed <\/span>for her overnight<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”49541″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”(File photo) The Jesus Film is shown in a village in Sierra Leone, Africa. ” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230f0f0f|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When Miracle returned home the next morning, her grandmother, who was back from her visit, asked her where she had been.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cThe people who came, they have a church,\u201d Miracle answered.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]That was all her grandmother needed to hear. \u201cI have made you a leader in our society,\u201d she shouted. \u201cWhat are you doing with these church people?\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Miracle told Voice of the Martyrs that h<\/span>er grandmother gathered the elder Bondo women and told them that Miracle had attended a church service.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cThey flogged me very seriously that night,\u201d Miracle <\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs<\/span>, crying. \u201cThey said, \u2018If you ever try to follow that pastor, the next time we will kill you.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Miracle headed for the pastor\u2019s house as soon as she was untied, but the women realized where she was going and recaptured her<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>They beat her again, and one of the women rubbed a crushed hot pepper in her eyes and elsewhere on her body.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Miracle broke free from the women and continued running, eventually reaching the pastor\u2019s home.<\/span> Realizing Miracle\u2019s life was in danger, the pastor and his wife <\/span>immediately<\/span> let her in their home.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]According to Representative Foley, t<\/span>he pastor who was taking care of Miracle sensed that she was still controlled by a dark spirit, so for one week he fasted and prayed for her.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cI did not feel the physical world,\u201d Miracle <\/span>told Voice of the Martyrs<\/span>. \u201cI felt the spiritual realm. Prayer is what brought me back to the normal way with people. From what I can remember, I fell to the ground. The pastor was praying, and something came out of me. When that thing came out of me, I could remember myself and feel the physical again. It was a spirit that was inside my life.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”49543″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Miracle graduated in December 2022 from a three-year sewing program and is now able to support herself financially.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%230f0f0f|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While still staying at the church, Miracle placed her faith in Christ.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>After her baptism, she took on the name <\/span>\u2018<\/span>Miracle<\/span>\u2019<\/span> to honor the way God had brought her out of darkness and into light<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>.<\/span> \u201c<\/span>Ten years after coming to faith in Christ, Miracle is part of a vibrant church and continues to grow in faith.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u201cThe church is helping me to understand God\u2019s Word,\u201d <\/span>Miracle told Voice of the Martyrs<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]In December 2022, Miracle graduated from a three-year sewing program. She sa<\/span>ys the<\/span> sewing machine and the training she received <\/span>have made it possible for her to support herself<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Miracle<\/span> says her <\/span>grandmother is unable to attack her through the spiritual realm, but Miracle has heard that she is still pursuing her<\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]But Miracle told Voice of the Martyrs that she is not afraid.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>My grandmother, I don\u2019t think about her,\u201d she says. \u201c<\/span>Until I go to glory,<\/span> I will be with the family of Jesus.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]According<\/span> to Representative Foley, Miracle\u2019s one request was for prayer. <\/span><\/span>\u201cShe said, \u2018I want whoever reads my story to be praying for me to stay in the Lord,\u2019\u201d says Representative Foley.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Representative Foley says Voice of the Martyrs posts urgent prayer requests for Christians <\/span>like Miracle on its website at <\/span><\/span>https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/<\/span>en\/<\/span><\/span>prayer\/urgent\/<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”49532″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”As a young girl in Sierra Leone, Africa, Miracle was taught by her grandmother to invoke demonic spirits and perform brutal rituals for a secret Satanic religious …","protected":false},"author":659,"featured_media":49533,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[235,869,140],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49549","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-special-column","category-china-special","category-vomk-report"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.2","language":"en","enabled_languages":["ko","en","zh","ru"],"languages":{"ko":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"zh":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"ru":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49549","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/659"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49549"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49549\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49560,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49549\/revisions\/49560"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49533"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49549"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49549"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49549"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}