ALL was not well in paradise. By early 1985, political unrest had claimed some 20 lives on the South Pacific island of New Caledonia. This led Maclean’s magazine to comment: “The island is already beginning to resemble Northern Ireland, divided into two heavily armed and hostile camps.”

The situation had become so serious in January 1985 that President François Mitterrand of France scurried half way around the world on an unscheduled Saturday visit to Nouméa, the island’s capital. The islanders, divided in their loyalties, were anxious to express their feelings during his visit. The original inhabitants, pushed by religious leaders and feeling a strong sense of loyalty to their Melanesian roots, pressed hard for an end to over 130 years of French rule. On the other hand, many descendants of European Polynesians and Asian settlers, and even Melanesians, expressed their loyalty to the French government and advocated that its rule continue.

Loyalty to God’s Kingdom Under Test

The political unrest and chaotic conditions that broke out in 1984 created problems for many New Caledonians, including the Witnesses. Some of these were mobbed and beaten while out preaching. Three men entered one Witness home, demanded the man’s car keys at gunpoint, and then stole his car. A missionary discovered that his car had been set afire and destroyed while he was conducting a Bible study.

Whereas the islanders are divided in their loyalties, the Witnesses​—regardless of which ethnic group—​are united in their neutral stand. The clergy, themselves politically involved, have used the present state of unrest to stir up hatred of the Witnesses. For example, Witnesses driving to pick up interested persons for a meeting were stopped. Their traveling overseer, who was visiting them that week, was dragged from one of the two cars and beaten, and his glasses were smashed. An interested person was shoved against a wall and beaten until his head was bloody, his pregnant wife being forced to watch.

Yet the Witnesses know that their loyalty has not been misplaced. They remember Paul’s words: “All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.”​—2 Timothy 3:12; see also Matthew 10:16.

Loyally Expanding Despite Unrest

In mid-1984 the Witnesses saw the need for building an Assembly Hall. An appropriate piece of property was found on a hill overlooking Nouméa harbor, and work was started in September. But in November, because of the political unrest, the authorities imposed a curfew, and a state of emergency was declared. Despite these difficulties, Witnesses from the entire island responded to the need for help at the construction site. Up to 400 volunteers came at a time, much to the amazement of onlookers. Since the construction work took place during school holidays, many youngsters assisted. One young girl said: “This was the best vacation I ever had.” And seeing a 60-year-old female Witness shoveling cement and gravel into a concrete mixer was enough to surprise any professional builder!

After just four months the project was finished. Dedication plans were made, but it turned out to be the very weekend of Mitterrand’s unexpected visit! Because of the possibly explosive political situation, the authorities asked the Witnesses to cancel their program. However, the man in charge of security, who had previously seen a Witness convention in France, told them: “I know you people. It will not be with you that we will be having our problems. Just take necessary security measures; we will not interfere with your meetings.”