A heartbreaking story has emerged of a Ghanaian family in the UK who lost everything because they didn’t understand the difference between mental health and spiritual warfare.
Joshua Obenim, who survived a brutal attack that claimed the life of his wife and injured his daughter, is now sharing how he came face–to–face with death — at the hands of his own son.
According to him, the entire tragedy unfolded after weeks of strange behaviour from his 32-year-old son, Benjamin. But instead of recognising the signs of mental illness, the deeply religious family assumed it was a spiritual battle.
“When I was lying on the floor, I said to myself: if help doesn’t arrive in a minute, I know I’ll go. I’ll be dead,” he recalled.
Joshua said he first saw his son standing outside his daughter’s door holding a knife. Because Benjamin usually listened to him, he tried to calmly collect the weapon.
“I stretched out my hand and said, ‘Give me the knife.’ He told me: ‘Don’t try it.’”
When Joshua realised the neighbours weren’t home, he ran across the street shouting for help. But before anyone could respond, Benjamin attacked him.
“He cut my head. Blood was gushing out. Then he went into my belly.”
Joshua didn’t know his wife and older daughter had already been attacked inside the house. His wife died before help arrived.
A neighbour who saw what was happening screamed at Benjamin to stop, calling out:
“Don’t do that to your daddy!”
In the weeks before the attack, Benjamin had become withdrawn, overly religious, and was speaking in ways that worried the family. But instead of seeking medical help, they prayed — for hours — believing he was battling a demonic attack.
After his arrest, doctors diagnosed him with schizophrenia. Joshua said he had never heard the word in his life.
“If I knew, I would have taken the initiative. Praying for someone doesn’t mean they don’t need medical attention. If I knew, I would have done both.”
Despite everything, Joshua says his heart is still with his son.
“We’ve forgiven him. I just want him to forgive himself.”
Watch video below…
