‘WE ARE OVERWHELMED!’

Despite the discomfort, all were made to feel welcome at the meetings, and by the end of the first year, about 50 were attending regularly. The number of Kingdom publishers rose to seven, and there were 47 Bible studies! Some new ones studied twice a week. “We are joyful, very joyful, but a little overwhelmed,” wrote the brothers.

The second year saw an increase to 32 publishers, and the pioneers conducted as many as 30 Bible studies each! The attendance at Sunday meetings increased to 100 people, and they represented a variety of ethnic groups.

The 1963 service year saw 11 peaks in Kingdom publishers, the last one being 93. Réunion now had two congregations and one group. The first local baptism ceremony, held in December 1962 on the beach at St.-Gilles-les Bains, saw 20 new ones immersed. The second, held in June 1963, saw 38 baptized. In 1961, Réunion had 1 publisher to every 41,667 of the population. Three years later the ratio was 1 to 2,286. Yes, Jehovah was “making [the word] grow” on this spiritually fertile island.​—1 Cor. 3:6.