Neary 300 Wasavulu villagers from the Macuata Province watched as traditional artefacts, allegedly used for witchcraft, were burned to drive away evil spirits.

The event was part of the spiritual cleansing crusade led by Reverend Viliame Gauna of the Christian Mission Fellowship International (CMFI) Macuata branch.

He claims that during the one-week crusade at the village, people of Wasavulu saw signs and symbols.

“Such as the Holy Spirit in the form of bright light, double edge sword burning in the sky, a symbol of a key, a white horse hovering above the place where the event happened and figures of three ambassadors,” Reverend Gauna claimed.

“These are signs and symbols which have been written in the Bible. People saw it, believed and gave up their lives to be cleansed in order to be set free from the spirit of witchcraft, sexual sins and spirit of murder.

“We have a special team called Ministry of Whom Shall I Send? And Who Will Go for Us,” he said.

“Along with this team from Lautoka, 20 CMFI pastors from Macuata gathered to assist the people of Wasavulu in prayer and fasting.

“This village that once practiced witchcraft, passed down from generation-to-generations is now living a life for God. We didn’t force them to do bring out artefacts from their houses.

“They willingly made a choice and brought tanoa, bilo, clubs and other articles used by first and second generations to kill human beings. Also they brought photos of Jesus that they bought from shops and used for worship. We never encourage people to worship Jesus by seeing his photos

“Once the cleansing was done, all the people, old and young, received water baptism near the river at Wasavulu Village.”

Wasavulu Village headman Asira Lebaivalu said he was thankful to CMFI Church and the pastors.

“A lot of blood was shed during the olden days and witchcraft practice has been a normal practice for some people in the village,” Mr Lebaivalu said.

“Hence, I thought it was time to do something to get the land we living on be cleansed so that we can start the new year in a proper way.

“After the artefacts were burned, people approached the pastors and openly told them what wrongs they have done and sought forgiveness,” he said.

“Both young and old were taught how to speak fruitful and receive blessings. We count ourselves fortunate. Moreover, after all was done, we received a prophesy.

“One of the pastors prophesied that one day in the form of a blessing, three people will come and help the village.”

The next village the church is looking to is Naseakula in Labasa.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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