A Troubled Beginning
Born in 1935 in Bacolod City, Philippines, Clarita Villanueva faced a tumultuous early life. Orphaned at twelve after her mother, a spiritist, passed away, Clarita spiraled into a life of destitution and prostitution. By 1953, at just 17, she found herself imprisoned in the Old Bilibid Prison in Manila for vagrancy.
Unexplained Attacks
While incarcerated, Clarita experienced terrifying attacks that left her with unexplained bite marks and scratches. Witnesses, including Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson, saw these injuries appear as if from invisible assailants. Clarita described her attackers as a large, hairy man and a boy with an angelic face, a surreal blend of terror and innocence.
A Minister Responds
Amidst this chaos, American minister Lester Sumrall, in Manila to build a church, felt a divine calling to intervene. Seeking permission to visit Clarita, he fasted and prayed fervently for three days. During the exorcism, Clarita, though unacquainted with English, hurled insults at Sumrall in the language. Undeterred, Sumrall asserted, "Clarita, I have come to deliver you from the power of these devils in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." After three days of intense spiritual battle, a profound change occurred. Clarita, now calm, declared, "He's gone," and pointed out the direction her tormentor had fled. The once relentless attacks ceased, and she found peace, joining Sumrall in prayer.
A New Life
Clarita's life transformed dramatically. She was granted parole and placed with a Christian family, where she thrived and eventually moved to Northern Luzon. Clarita married a rice farmer, started a family, and lived free from the torment that once plagued her. This testimony of Jesus' power over darkness resonated far beyond Clarita's personal deliverance. It sparked a revival across the Philippines, drawing many to faith. Through Clarita's ordeal, the truth of God's intervention shone brightly, and His name was glorified.
