Since you first raised this project 18 months ago in January 2007, much has taken place. Has anything relating to the vision changed or been strengthened in your heart?
Now that the structure itself is rising up out of the ground and beginning to look like an auditorium, my heart rejoices at what the Lord will do here in Trianon. As far as I'm concerned, we are going to experience great times with the Lord! He will bring healing and restoration to so many Christians who today are hurt and discouraged, as well as a tremendous harvest of souls.
You mention healing, deliverance, salvation; what will be different from what has been taking place in Curepipe over the last 18 years?
The Lord has a plan, a purpose, but also His calendar. He works differently at different times. At a specific time chosen by God, He will pour out His spirit and bring salvation and healing and restoration. We can testify to this in our hearts. Without in any way diminishing all that took place in Curepipe during this period, I believe that what is to come will not be comparable. Let us also not forget that without the fruit of the gospel of the cross that we have preached during all these years, we would not be moving to the new auditorium of Trianon.
The words 'restoration, and discouraged, disappointed Christians' comes up very often when we talk about this project. Will all this be exclusively for Mauritians or will other nations have a share in what the Lord will do?
Christians are leaving churches in droves. Others have remained, but are discouraged, directionless and without vision. Parents are tired and don't know what to do. What they are hearing has not changed their lives or set them free. Because we preach (and live) a gospel that is different – the simple and powerful message of the cross, people will be able to make the difference and will be drawn and attracted to what they hear is happening here. Our message is: Christ and Him crucified!
In addition to you, four elders are involved full time in key roles. Why did you not consider a major contractor for such a large project?
Clearly we were tempted to do so. But when we considered the fees payable to an outside contractor, we realised we could save millions of rupees by getting involved ourselves and putting our hearts and our gifts together.
So, who’s doing the work and who’s involved?
We've hired some masons and carpenters, along with a few others. But more importantly, we also have a good number of Christians who come willingly for a day or two, others have taken time off work. We are so happy and grateful to the Lord that He has puts a desire in the hearts of many brothers and sisters, parents and children, who come every Saturday and public holiday to help out for the day. This helps tremendously and is a great saving. What also makes the difference is the atmosphere on the site, because we are mainly Christians.
Other than the evident cost saving, why do you and elders encourage the whole church, brothers and sisters of all ages, to be involved in this project?
Well, I was a consulting civil engineer involved in all sorts of building projects, so this makes it quite easy for me. But I also see how important it is for everyone to play a part in it; for all the brothers and sisters to have a share in the building of our auditorium. It’s a good thing for everyone to feel that they've contributed, done something, for the building of this auditorium.
Where is the funding for such a major project coming from? Has it all come in, or are you confident that all the funding will come in?
We bought the land in cash as a result of the astonishing response from the Christians who gave so freely and willingly. For the building work, in addition to the regular monthly support from so many individuals and families, it has been miracles upon miracles. Time and again people have come forward with large sums of money they have been blessed with, wanting to donate it to the project. We've been building for almost 8 months now and we should never have reached where we are today as we needed to sell the complex in Curepipe first, to provide the needed funds for this stage of the work. I suppose God has His own time and purpose as to when the property in Curepipe will be sold. But in the meantime, with each deadline that has come up, we have seen the Lord provide miraculously, by millions at a time. The Lord knows the needs and is concerned. So, we have in fact not experienced problems in that area, and we believe wholeheartedly that He will continue to provide in the same way for the rest of the building as well.
Everyone who knows you has seen your love of being on a building site where you can put your training as a civil engineer into practice and doing it for the Kingdom. How are you managing all your other responsibilities, particularly to the other churches and the men of God?
Initially, I didn't want to have anything to do with a project of this size. But then I began to feel that I should take a role to help and guide those working together and have done so and committed myself fully. What I want is to finish the project and see what the Lord is going to do in this place. As for the ministry, in my heart I have dedicated myself to the building for this year and that is where I will be most of the time. It is likely that there will be a few CTMI conferences and visits to churches. In my heart I am at peace, knowing that the Lord will undertake and take care of His church. I remain open to what He wants me to do and am not concerned at all.
Does this project being in Mauritius mean that there will be less involvement of CTMI Africa and elsewhere? Will people have to come more to Mauritius?
Not at all! On the contrary, the Lord is raising more and more men and women, workers in the team. Certainly many will come and spend some time in Mauritius, but the vision for Africa to spread the gospel, and preach of the cross of Jesus Christ remains the same... there’s no question of stopping anything. We are looking forward to some exciting times in the years ahead in Africa.
Most people reading this are overseas and can’t be here in Mauritius. If they have this project on their hearts, what would you say to them?
I think they can pray, and can support it in many ways; financially or any other way that’s on their hearts. And, if they feel led to come here to give a hand as well, we welcome them with open arms; because we welcome any help from anyone who has a desire on their heart to support us in this project.
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