I was extremely but quite pleasantly surprised during a recent ministry trip to Reunion Island to discover how similar this Creole culture was to my own in south Louisiana. Reunion is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa and next to Madagascar. It is an overseas department of the nation of France and thus part of Europe politically speaking. But its population is a melting pot of many different races: Indian, African, French, Malagasy, Chinese, and English. The week I spent there as a representative of SFC – Europe to talk about future collaboration in student ministry was very rewarding on both a personal and ministerial level. I found a thriving group of students and young people reaching out to their campuses bringing a message of faith and hope to their peers. Just because one lives on an island paradise doesn’t mean lasting peace has been found.
As an added serendipity, as mentioned above, I found one of the warmest and welcoming cultures I’ve ever encountered among the Creoles of Reunion. Not only is rice one of their main staples as in south Louisiana, but they grow sugar cane too. Their cooking styles are very much like in Cajun country and varied spices enhance their culinary dishes. But the most striking thing of all was finding some of the same Creole expressions and vocabulary. “Comment il est?”, “C’est bonne heure.†Indeed, linguistic vestiges of the slavery era in former French colonies and territories hang on through local Creole customs. And my life’s calling as well as our personal heritage permitted me this past week to play a role in seeing souls born into the kingdom of God on Reunion Island. What a tremendous privilege I’ve had! -Blair 
What a small world we live in, huh? I’m amazed at our God!! What a divine appointment!
The more I think of this opportunity you had, the more amazed I am… I imagine God, in His amazing love, looking down upon this earth, seeing the need in Reunion (specific ones whom He had been calling and drawing closer to Him), and seeing that the time was now for harvesting, looked across the land and saw you and said, “Ah, Yes! Blair, my faithful, chosen servant, I will bless His socks off and send Him to Reunion…Yes! I want to shower him with love as well…this will be a perfect fit!” And, I believe, the anticipation of seeing you enjoy this work that He did through you made Him a bit giddy, knowing how special it was going to be for you!
Can’t wait to see pics…
please tell everyone in your home we say Hello!!
much love and prayers, Tonja
Hi Tonja! Thanks for taking the time to read this and for praying! The pics are posted, btw…. love to all of you, too, from all of us ~ Dina