ILL-FAVOURED PRODIGY

BRILLIANT OR BEWITCHED? TB JOSHUA TELLS ALL

To many, Friday 28th August 2009 was just another day, another
event, another occurrence in the cycle of life, quickly to be
forgotten. But to 10-year-old Favour Onyenwaku of Abia state,
Nigeria - it was so much more than that. This day marked the end of
years of wincing from the repeated blows of false accusations,
slander, rejection and isolation. She had fallen victim to the cruel,
relentless grip of society and cultural tradition. She had become the
prey of a predator as destructive as dynamite and as deceptive as
the devil. She found herself caught up in a horrible web of trickery
and mockery through no fault of her own. The way out seemed so
remote and inaccessible.

Calling the nature of God the nature of satan is never to be

undertaken lightly, assumed or presumed. Sadly, many tend to do
so, not even beginning to contemplate the heavy repercussions
suffered thereof. It is such assumption as this that is often the cause
of the stumbling blocks, limitations and banes of so many families
and communities.

After being labeled a witch, Favour found herself hearing things she
was not supposed to hear, seeing things she was not supposed to
see and experiencing what was far beyond her tender years. On
taking her to the church, the pastor had labeled her a witch,
possessed by evil spirits. It was stated that she could not be
delivered because she was a witch from birth, responsible for the
death of her mother (who passed away just 8 days after she was
born). She was said to be the one hindering the progress in the
church, attacking people both day and night. The pastor had
advised her family to send her away to the village. Her brother
asked the pastor, “If I send her away, she will die”. The pastor
responded by saying, ‘It is better for her to die than to kill you and
your whole family. She should go. If she’s going to die, let her die.’

Everywhere she went, both at home, in school and in church, Favour

was rejected and humiliated pursued by a deluge of name calling,
slanderous remarks and accusations. She walked alone, often crying
bitterly, bearing the stigma of a name she was never meant to bear.
What made the pain more intense was that it was not only strangers
who labeled her what she was not but also those closest to her, her
blood.

She was not allowed to enter the church or other public places.
Desperate, her family took her out of school for a period as they
took her to various places for deliverance. She returned to school,
one week prior to the exams, took the exams and also took first
position and was given double promotion. To many, this
achievement served not as testimony to her innocence but rather
as a proof of her guilt. They judged that she was using her
witchcraft powers to attain that success.
Perplexed and bemused by the crisis in the family and in a
desperate attempt to confirm the truth of the matter, her uncle
Edward Jonathan and cousin, Amadi Kelechi brought her to TB
Joshua for deliverance.

It was the monthly healing and deliverance service on Friday 28th

August 2009. Her brother and cousin cried out, desiring for TB
Joshua to hear their case. He took time to listen carefully and then
asked Favour: “How do you feel when people call you a witch?” She
responded: “I feel like crying because I don’t know what is a witch”.

After hearing the story of the two brothers, TB Joshua declared that
Favour was not a witch. He said: “You can say what you like but as
for me and my family and my household, Favour is not a witch. If
your family rejects Favour, the kingdom of God is for her. How can
you turn Favour of God to witch?”

Favour clearly elated was told to advise the whole world. She said:
“I am happy because I’m not a witch. If people call you witch, you
should just accept it and say yes. And one day, God will fight for
you. If you do not agree with them will beat you chase you away or
kill you.”

Her intelligence and potential was evident for all to see and T.B.
Joshua vowed to help her further her education and join the family.
He said: “If gold must be gold, it must pass through the furnace. You
will pass through intimidation, hatred, persecution – you are a
promised child.”

The darkness has ended and the light has truly dawned in the life of
Favour and her family. Hope which had been snuffed out has been
rekindled and will soon be burning bright. The vanquished has
indeed been vindicated.

She had been the target of a scheme, crafty and clever, bent on
crushing her potential and causing crisis in her family. But that plan
was foiled as she found out what Almighty God, her Creator and
Saviour had to say about her situation.
One can begin to imagine, years on when Favour has grown up and
become an influential figure in the society, how grateful she will be.
Saving a life and restoring a soul is indeed far more precious than
any other achievement or accomplishment in this world.