Alani, the daughter of a pastor, claims she can exorcise demons. Source: Supplied
On the outskirts of Rio, deep in the slums of San Gonzalo, where faith is high and poverty is everywhere, believers flock to a little Pentecostal church.
They are there to be touched by the little missionary Alani Santos, the daughter of a pastor. They believe God has given her the power to cast off demons and heal the sick.
Vocativ meets Alani
Exorcism has always been part of Christianity and life in Brazil’s highly religious population, but the practice is spreading rapidly with the growth of Pentecostalism. Churches are on every corner, like convenience stories and saviours like Alani are becoming the human face of God.
Alani tells Vocativ she heals people in her church community using touch, prayers and worship.
When she performs her miracles, Alani says she is struck with emotion and feels immense privilege to be able to help people in their lives.
Alani uses her connection with God to help others. Source: Supplied
When Alani preaches, people gather with their hands in the air and eyes closed, chanting loudly to the heavens. “I have faith I will receive,” they scream. “My enemy has been defeated!”
Alani leads her followers in prayer: “Victory is coming, all you need to do is have faith and seek Jesus Lord,” she says to the crowd. “If you believe, don’t fear, God is with you, say ‘I have faith’.”
She has made a name for herself in Rio. Source: Supplied
Members of her congregation claim they have seen a man healed of HIV after 7 years. It gives others hope.
“When the little missionary touches you, something will happen. You will be cured,” her pastor father says.
As Alani places her hand on the forehead of a believer on crutches, saying “feel the warmth”, he collapses on the ground, coins from his pockets spilling across the floor. He has been healed.
Whether you believe or not, this little girl is giving Brazilians hope that they can also be saved.
By touching her believers, she claims she can cure them. Source: Supplied
