Martinique marks centenary
of volcanic eruption

By the Rev Simon-Pierre Yoyotte, General Secretary of the French Antilles Bible Society

SAINT-PIERRE, Martinique — The French Antilles Bible Society joined Christians in Martinique recently to mark the centenary of the eruption of the Mount Pelée volcano, in which the town of Saint-Pierre was destroyed and almost 30,000 people killed.

Over five weeks, several teams of volunteers worked in relays to distribute 2,000 copies of a special edition of the Word of Life New Testament and 80,000 copies of the Selection God Makes All Things New.

It took the local committee eight months to prepare for the distribution, which aimed to use God’s Word to “touch hearts and save lives at a time of stirring memories.”

A march was held through the streets of Saint-Pierre, and there was a permanent Bible exhibition throughout the five-week period. Door-to-door distribution was carried out in all towns in northern Martinique, and there was also a public conference on the following themes: the church in Saint-Pierre before 1902, acts of charity and religious life in Martinique at the end of the 19th century, and creation from the scientific and religious perspectives. Officials from northern towns who attended were given copies of the Word of Life Bible.