Baptism in prison of Guadeloupe

A robbery-murder took place on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, which belongs to France. Robberies have often occurred there, but never before in connection with a murder. This was the first time. They soon caught the murderer and a trial was held. The prisoner protested his innocence, but he was sentenced to death by beheading. The murderer was put in a solitary cell with a view of the inner courtyard. That was the worst thing about his situation.

Soon came the first Saturday. Suddenly he heard a woman's voice singing over a loudspeaker and preaching Jesus„ words. The murderer called the guard and asked: “Who is that singing?„ “Oh,„ he said, “it's coming from the Adventist Church.„ “Please, let me talk to that woman,„ the prisoner begged. The woman visited him and it turned out that she had known 22-year-old Jo as a child. She was shocked and asked: “What can I do for you?„ The young man said: “I have to die, but how can I get eternal life?„ The nun felt overwhelmed and informed Preacher Samuel Monnier. The prison warden allowed the visit and Jo met the preacher. After he had introduced himself, he asked Jo: “Tell me something about your family and why you wanted a visit from an Adventist preacher?"

Jo began: „I was 14 years old. My mum was cleaning windows. While she was doing this, she saw two women going from house to house. They had just arrived at our neighbours„ house. My brothers and I went after the women. We wanted to know what they were doing. An hour later, they were with us too. We were ten children. Mum locked us in the bedroom and we weren't allowed to move. The women showed my mum a Bible. But my mum didn't want to buy it. She had no money. Then the women said: “This book has changed our lives."

Now we children were all allowed to come and listen. The two women visited us every Sabbath afternoon from then on. One day our youngest brother died. My father summoned the priest to the funeral, but he refused to hold it. He was only prepared to hold the funeral on one condition. My parents had to promise never to receive the two women from the Adventist church again. But the women came again and my father told them that it would have to be the last time. So the women prayed with our whole family, called each of us by name and at the end they hugged us children and our parents. Finally, they said: „If you ever get into trouble in your life and don't know a way out, find an Adventist church.“

I was 20 years old. My father sent me to the city. I was supposed to support myself and earn money. I made the wrong friends there. They tempted me to drink and smoke. I was sad and homesick. A mate said: „Jo, we'll soon be rich and all our problems will be gone.“ One night we attacked a very rich man in his flat. He woke up. I had to cover his mouth. But he was strong and fought back. My friend threw me a dagger and I stabbed him. Pastor, what should I do to be saved?“

„There is only one way,“ said Pastor Monnier. „Read the Bible, go to Jesus, repent and get baptised.“ „No,“ replied Jo, „I don't want that.“ „Then goodbye,“ said Pastor Monnier. „HaIt, pastor. Stay!“ Jo shouted after him. But the pastor left and tried to speak to the elderly prison warden. As he sat opposite the old man, he asked: „Are you the pastor?“ And then he explained: „Jo is a bad man. I am his judge. I will have him executed.“

Two days later, the newspaper wrote: „The murderer has confessed“. Jo had also asked the President of France for a pardon and was waiting for an answer. He did not want to die. During this time, he received Bible lessons in prison and the word of God worked on his heart. Eventually his hard heart softened and he was converted. He had understood everything. His last wish was: „I want to be baptised.“

When the prison governor heard about this, he said to the pastor: „That can't be wrong. Take some water and sprinkle him.“ „No,“ said the preacher, „I need a lot of water to baptise him. At least as much as will fit in a barrel. There is such a barrel in the prison yard and it needs to be prepared so that the baptism can take place there. Jo should have the biblical adult baptism by immersion.“ After much persuasion, the prison governor finally agreed.

The christening day arrived. The miniature pool was clean and well filled with water. It was a special day for the whole prison. Pastor Monnier had arranged for the entire staff to watch along with all the prison inmates. The guards stood around with machine guns. All the prisoners were able to watch the events in the inner courtyard from their cells. The pastor gave an extra long and solemn sermon. Some members of the congregation were allowed to be present. The congregational choir sang: „As I am without all adornment, I come to you Lord through your blood...‘ Then the handcuffs were released. Jo climbed into the water and was immersed for baptism. All he had to do was bend down in the man-sized barrel. He fitted perfectly into the prepared barrel. Finally, his head disappeared. Then Jo reappeared. He had gone through the Jordan in his own way. Afterwards, he beamed with joy and shouted loudly: “I'm free, I'm free!„

But at the same moment, the handcuffs snapped shut again. He was free and yet still imprisoned. How would he ever get out of prison? Jo knew that the whole congregation was praying for him. Some time later, the judge sent for Pastor Monnier. „Pastor,“ he said, „you have done a good service. Jo has become a different person“. Although Jo was sentenced to life imprisonment, he was pardoned after 18 years. During this time, he cared for the prisoners. As a result, another 27 criminals were converted. After his release, Jo became a preacher.

25 years later, Jo met Pastor Monnier once again. He had come to the airport with thousands of church members to welcome him. In the meantime, Jo had become a white-haired man, but had a happy family and four children. Everyone was gathered. „I was a murderer,“ he told Pastor Monnier, „but I remained faithful to God.“