Benin: Standing firm after her husband’s murder

Victorie and her husband had become followers of Christ, but their families and most of the people in their village follow traditional Voodoo practices.

Victorie’s in-laws were not happy that the young couple had become Christians. They threatened them and tried to scare them into converting back to pagan beliefs. “We would see blood around the house,” Victorie said. One day her husband’s parents threatened her. “They told me, ‘If anything happens to our son, it is your fault.’”

As Victorie and her husband were returning home from a visit to his family one night, he suddenly collapsed and died shortly afterwards. Victorie believes he was poisoned by his family.

Victorie lost all she owned after his death, and relatives are still trying to convince her and her two young boys, ages 8 and 11, to return to Voodoo practices. They have even threatened to take the boys from her, but she remains committed to following Christ.

• Pray for Victorie to remain strong despite this persecution she is facing.

• Pray that God will direct her in His will since her husband died.

• Pray that her husband’s family will repent and come to know Christ.