The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1)

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Thank you to all of you who have supported this mission with prayers and donations. I can feel your prayers as my family battles a bit of false doctrine in the church (more about this in a moment). I’m also grateful for the financial support that many of you have provided. Although I don’t know the specifics, I do know that many of you have donated more than once. I hope the “Giving Kiosk” link on this blog page for MAURITIUS - NORTH has proved to be an easy way to give back to the Lord through donations. Also, please remember Pastor Dominique and his family when you pray and when you consider giving on-line. They are very worthy and are in desperate need of support.

I had the opportunity to accompany Dominique (Dom) on a pastoral visit in the southern part of Mauritius. Since I had access to a car, I picked up Dom and we went to Daniel’s house. Daniel is the man who has a cancerous tumor on his spine. We sat with him for a bit and then Dom explained how to be saved. Daniel and his mother accepted the Lord and then we prayed for Daniel. Most of the conversation was in Creole, but I was able to lay hands on Daniel as I prayed to God silently in English, while Dom prayed out-loud in Creole.

I've been able to see Dom about 3 or 4 times so far. This weekend Dom, Cindy, Adriel (son 5) and Yamaelle (daughter 2) will stay at our place Sunday evening, until Monday evening, since there is a holiday on Monday. Alexandria (my wife) and I plan on really blessing them with tasty nutritious American-style foods, good fellowship, fun for the kids and a relaxing time (can you relax with young children?).

I’ve been building relationships within the Christian community here on the island, with my goal of filling Pastor Ron’s time with speaking engagements throughout the island when he returns with a team in the summer of 2010. This includes Campus Crusade for Christ, various Christian churches, the Mauritius Bible Training Institute, promoting the pastors conference in Christian news forums, and working with other organizations.

We’ve been especially busy in the local church. We’re initiating a monthly “movie night”, starting with “Fire Proof” in November. The Men’s group is going through the “Be a man” DVD and will then start the foundations class in late November. I'm preparing a study in 1st Peter for a Baptist event titled “Scripture Day” where Baptist Pastors and leaders share in the teaching of one book of the Bible. Alexandria (Alex) is leading a 16-week ladies study titled “Portrait of a woman” and is helping the Lighthouse Primary School (the school our son Jack attends) with various publications. Alex is also helping facilitate the more effective running of the baby/toddler room.

God has provided confirmation that we are doing His will in teaching His Word by having several people comment on how much they enjoy and glean from the teachings. Two Sundays ago, I mentioned that a Calvinist belief that God creates certain people for Hell by preventing them from exercising their free will to choose Christ, was untrue. I said that God knew before the foundations of the world who would choose Him, and God chooses (elects) those that choose Him. From this I discovered that some people in this church (still don’t know how many) are Calvinists! I ended up speaking with two Calvinists about 10 days ago on Sunday afternoon. Again on this last Sunday I had a married couple hand me a letter-size envelop with Calvinist propaganda. They also went on to say that Calvinism is true, etcetera. As uncomfortable as this is, I know I must press on and preach the truth of God. There's more that I would like to share with all of you, but since this is a public blog, it’s best to simply ask for continual prayers from my Church family in Myrtle Beach, and from the larger Christian family throughout the Country. Please pray that God continues to use me, to give me a boldness to teach His truth and to open the hearts of the people here in Mauritius to hear and accept the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are praying for you in South Carolina.

Bill – Foot washer

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. (Proverbs 10:19)

First of all, I thank God for this opportunity to serve Him, by serving the His people at the Baptist Church of the North (BCN) and in all of Mauritius. As Jesus said “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4).
I apologize for the delay of my first blog entry. With a variety of initial tasks before me I’m grateful that my wife has helped to keep people up-to-date on certain aspects of life in Mauritius. When describing Mauritius, people come to mind first. Although there are a variety of beliefs and a high burglary rate, most people are friendly. I have learned that if your house is broken into, the thieves try to accommodate you as much as possible, in that they wait for you to fall asleep and then quietly tip-toe around you, as not to wake you.
On a more important topic, I believe the Lord is going to use my family mightily on this island. My prayer is that God uses me, and my family, effectively and efficiently to minister to the people of BCN, to the local community, and throughout the island. As I’m writing this, I’m twisting to look at a dry-erase board on the wall behind me. One the 2nd or 3rd night in Mauritius, I outlined four objectives, making sure to stay focused on the Lord’s work. By His strength I pray I will accomplish His will.

1) Equipping the Saints, for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12) by teaching them word of God, verse by verse and chapter by chapter. While doing this I will focus on building and strengthening the following:
-----a. Servants
-----b. Leaders
-----c. Marriages

2) Community Evangelism. Within the local community I will personally be knocking on gates (no direct access to doors because of all the security walls) and handing out evangelical business cards to people on the street, in the grocery store, etcetera. I will also focus on:
-----a. Establishing a Street Witnessing Team
-----b. Distributing sermons recorded on CDs. Also a great way for visitors from Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa to take the message back to their country of origin!
-----c. Improving the BCN website to include storing my recorded sermons for people to listen to, anywhere on the earth.

3) Pastoral Care. Ministering to the sick and to those who have backslide away from the truth of Christ.

4) Become involved with and establish a stronger connection with:
-----a. Calvary Chapel Fellowship (Pastor Dominique’s church). The Mauritian government will not allow him to use the name “Mauritius” in the church title. I want to fellowship with him and minister to him and his family, as well as work on the physical needs of the building.
-----b. Campus Crusade: This is just a place-keeper for all the Christian organizations on the island. I want to strengthen our relationship with these organizations and hope to fill Pastor Ron’s (CC Myrtle Beach) speaking schedule when he returns to the island in June/July or 2010.
-----c. Workforce: The mostly Hindu Mauritian government does not like the idea of Christian-based initiatives and missionary support, but loves the idea of bringing business to Mauritius. Still figuring this part out.

Well, back to preparing for Sunday’s message in Colossians chapter 3: Putting off the old man and putting on the new man.


Bill - Foot washer