Have you ever been forced to do something and then afterward you didn’t feel right about it? This is the story of George, a young man and schoolteacher from Marou village on Emau Island.

George had previously been a member of the “Church of the Bible” denomination in Marou. When this group started in Marou, others told him that he needed to be baptized into this group. Like most Ni-Vanuatu people, he just went along with what he was told. But something wasn’t sitting well in his young conscience. During Eric and Mike’s first visit to Marou in September, George had a chance to talk to us and listen to the truth being told. The truth doesn’t include being forced or coerced in any way to follow Jesus. Jesus Himself asks all to count the cost of being His disciple (Luke 14:25-35). Therefore George continually felt as though something was wrong spiritually in his life. He would go to sleep at night not knowing if he was eternally safe or lost.

During my last visit to the island in mid November, George came and talked to me about his inner struggle. He recounted his past and how he felt uncomfortable about the way things had happened. We studied for a couple of hours on sin (Isa 59:1-2; Rom 3:23; John 8:21), baptism and getting in Christ (Rom 8:1; Eph 1:3,7; 2 Tim 2:10; Rom 6:3-4; Gal 3:27), salvation (in Christ), and counting the cost of being a Christian. It is not easy to let go of ones church affiliation in a close-knit place like Marou. But George used the time to ask several questions and clarify in his mind what was the right decision. As a teacher there comes a point when it is “crunch time” you have to ask the big questions. The first one is, “if you died tonight, where would you go?” Oddly enough it is always good to hear, “I would go to hell.” Now you know as a teacher that the person really does understand, despite the painful reality of the question. The second big question is, “what are you going to do about it?” Obviously when a person is willing to answer the first question correctly, he is ready is give the correct answer to question number two. George was ready to come out of the darkness and into the light. He was ready to put aside the old to put on the new (Col 3:5-17). His conscience would now be clear (Heb 9:14). He would no longer have to wonder when he put his head down on the pillow at night. George was baptized into Christ (Rom 6:3-4, Gal 3:27) that Saturday night, November 18 in the Pacific Ocean. (I knew there must have been a reason for God to make all that water!). He sat through the study that night and worshiped for the first time the next day with his new brethren.

George has a lot of potential for the Lord’s kingdom. He is well educated and already a teacher. I have put the bug in his ear to start teaching kids classes as soon as he is able.

The church in Marou village is growing in number and in influence. Many others are interested and Lord willing many will follow in the footsteps of George.

MO