It was a public holiday in Mauritius, so the beach was crowded. A group had gathered to witness the baptism of some new Christians. As each one came up from the water and walked back to the shore, the watching believers sang, Mo fin decide pou suivre Jésus (“I have decided to follow Jesus”). As we looked on, we could scarcely hold back our tears.

Sam and Fatima had been married only a year. Sam was a nominal Christian of Indian heritage; Fatima was Muslim. Their love blossomed as Fatima walked daily past the roadside stand where Sam sold fruit. Although Sam wasn’t following the Lord, his claim of Christianity intrigued Fatima, and she began to attend his church. When her family refused permission for them to marry, they got married before the magistrate and ran away to live in anonymity in Rose Belle, where we live. That’s when we met them.

Fatima was eager to follow Christ. Lize explained the Gospel to her, and she gladly accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Through Fatima’s prayers and testimony, Sam also returned to the Lord.

And now they were being baptized together.

Hunger Behind Closed Doors

Wherever we go on the island of Mauritius, we find people who desperately need to know Jesus. We know we can’t reach them all ourselves, so we offer classes in evangelism to local believers. As part of the training, all the students practice what they are learning.

A few months ago we took a class out to witness door to door in Cité Tolle (“Shanty Town”). We knocked at a door, but although it was standing open and the television was playing, no one answered. Determined to reach out to the residents, we walked around to the back yard, where we found some children playing. They called to their mother, Rosa, who came out and greeted us suspiciously. But as we talked with her about Jesus, her attitude changed. Before our visit ended, she bowed her head and surrendered her life to Christ.

Meanwhile, as we stood in the yard, Veronique (a member of our evangelism team) came up the road with another woman whom we didn’t know. They stopped, smiled, and walked on. Later we heard the story.

Veronique had shared the Gospel with Catherine, the other woman, and Catherine had put her faith in Jesus as her Savior. At once she wanted Veronique to give the same good news to her best friend. That best friend was Rosa, who was at that moment hearing the message from us. That explained their smiles as they passed by on the road.

Pray

The work of building Christ’s church on Mauritius continues. Please pray for us.