From the Grip of Evil to God’s Embrace

From the Grip of Evil to God’s Embrace

God rescued me from darkness. I am now embraced by His love.

God rescued me from darkness. I am now embraced by His love.

Evariste’s life was a storm of addiction and violence, earning him the nickname Rwarusazi, or “the crazy man,” in his community. At just 30 years old, he was consuming three crates of beer and six packs of cigarettes daily. His destructive habits wreaked havoc on his family, especially his wife, Jacqueline, who lived in fear. A particularly terrifying moment occurred when Evariste, in a drunken rage, nearly attacked her with a machete. Jacqueline shared, “I learned to run and hide whenever he came home late. If I didn’t, I would be in danger.”

Despite being the town’s notorious drunk, often embroiled in fights and legal troubles, Evariste showed no intention of changing—until a miraculous intervention altered his life forever.

One day, while smoking his 25th cigarette during a work break, he heard a mysterious voice urging him to stop and repent. Confused and startled, he dropped his cigarette and rushed home to share the experience with Jacqueline. She dismissed it as drunken rambling, but Evariste couldn’t shake the encounter.

Determined to change, he asked Jacqueline to wash his clothes so he could attend church with her. When she ignored him and left the house, his frustration drove him to smoke again – lighting his 26th cigarette, the voice returned, commanding him to go to church. This time, he obeyed, covering himself in a long jacket and heading to the nearest church.

His unexpected appearance at the altar during Pastor Abdoul’s sermon stunned the congregation. As the pastor prayed for him, Evariste experienced a miraculous transformation. “I instantly sobered up and lost all desire for smoking and drinking,” he recalled.

Months passed, and Jacqueline observed a remarkable shift in her husband. He quit his destructive habits, began supporting his family, and found joy in his faith. Her faithful prayers had been answered. Evariste’s commitment deepened as he became involved in church activities. Jacqueline was moved to tears when she saw him singing in the men’s choir during his ordination as a deacon. “I never imagined I would sit next to my husband and children in church,” she said. “God truly heard my pleas for a happy and stable home.”

Within a year, the couple legally married, marking a new chapter in their lives. Evariste built a small house for his family and began consulting Jacqueline on all major decisions, fostering a loving and respectful partnership. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “God rescued me from darkness. I am now embraced by His love.”

Today, Evariste’s story is a testament to the power of transformation, love, and faith. What once seemed like an irreparable situation became a beautiful tale of redemption, inspiring many in his community to believe in the possibility of change.

Evariste shared this story with the team at United Citizens for Change and Development (UCCD).

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