2001
If you travel far enough out into the Indian Ocean you will find this beautiful and unique island group, which is now a part of Australia.
My wife, Denise and I had a glorious week here. We spent a week because the flights during most of the year come and go only once a week. The Australian workers live on one of the islands and the locals live on the other island. We carried the cross on both the islands.
We met many wonderful people and had a powerful week of witness. We carried the cross from one end of the island to the other and then took a boat over the to native side and carried the cross there also.
Denise rented a bicycle and we would carry the cross and then swim in the shallow coves. We met many people having picnics and they would invite us to join them.
One afternoon I was invited to join the local ‘ Hash House Harriers’ walk. It is a worldwide club that takes walks and then has a big time drinking beer. They were doing a walk in the jungle and most did not think I could make it carrying the cross. Jesus gave me the strength and I made it! Thank you Jesus. Then I was given a full welcome. Many of the people wanted to talk to me. I remember one young man from Australia who was so eager to know about Jesus. We arranged a time and he came to the cabin where Denise and I were staying. We spent several hours talking about Jesus. We prayed together and he received Jesus as his personal Savior and Lord. When we begin the conversation he knew very little about Jesus or the Bible. We saw him several times more during our stay.
One day Denise and I went fishing. This is some of the best fishing in the world. We had no problem hooking the fish! The only problem was that sharks would attack the hooked fish and you would only reel in a huge head! We brought in some huge yellow tail tuna —’heads’. I did land one large Wahoo. It was fun but both Denise and I got sick so we stopped early and swam in the sea off a small island. I got in the water with a snorkel and fins. I could see thousands of fish and coral formations. I just drifted in the huge bay. There was a very strong current, and it was tough getting back. I had to swim back to more calm waters.
God bless the wonderful people here. They made us feel like family.
Pilgrim followers of Jesus,
Arthur and Denise Blessitt
Luke 18:1