Easter Island

Took 17 hours to fly to Easter Island from Fort Myers, Florida and 14 hours at airports. Denise and I were up for two days.

This is the second most remote inhabited place on earth. Located a five hour flight out of Santiago, Chile. It is located between Chile and Fiji and is just a single island in the South Pacific. We stayed in the only town on the island, Hanga Roa.

The people responded wonderfully to the cross walk. They wanted the Jesus stickers and gospel material that we had in Spanish. People crowded about us in the market and we prayed with many.

We went to the north side of the island and walked south along the beautiful coastline and past many of the famous Moai stone statues. Almost everyone we talked with wanted to pray.

Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD;
exalt the name of the LORD, the God of Israel,
in the islands of the sea.
From the ends of the earth we hear singing:
" Glory to the Righteous One."

Isaiah 24:15-16

We prayed with many Easter Islanders and people from Chile, Austria, Germany, France and Peru. Numerous tourists come here to see this awesome place.

We lifted up the cross in front of many of the Moai stone statues. It was very hot and humid as January is in the middle of their summer. Denise drove a Suzuki where she kept water and snacks.

I carried the cross entirely around the island for a total of 36.5 miles. Besides the extreme humid heat the other challenge was to carry the cross from the north side around to the west climbing over volcanic rocks both small and large! It was truly tough. I couldn't always stay on the unmarked trail and often found myself in a sea of stones.

Up and over and on I went. Hour after hour I struggled forward. I met one man on a small farm and shared with him. At last I came to a dirt road. I walked on it a while and there was Denise driving towards me in the car. She had found me at last! We continued on to the town the next day. I tell you at 62 there are few who could have carried that cross through that section. Jesus gave the strength by His mercy and grace. I want to praise God and thank Him for the health and strength he has given us.

The nature, flowers and rocks were quite beautiful, but the most beautiful thing is the people. You hear much about the Moai and the nature but many miss the people. In heaven there is rejoicing over the new ones coming to Jesus and giving their lives to follow Him. I will never forget the local women in the artisan and food markets, they were so welcoming. I prayed with many, even with the young people in the streets.

God bless Rapa Nui (Easter Island) the reason it is called Easter Island is that it and the people were discovered on Easter Day! Now the big 12-foot cross has come and the people are very happy! How thrilling to explain the cross and the death of Jesus on it and why He died and then share how on Easter morning he was raised from the grave, Alive and Living forever more! Glory.

We were on Easter Island TV as they told of the walk with the cross around the world and now on their island.

Select here to view Arthur's diary of the events in Easter Island

Jesus did it. All glory to God.

A Pilgrim follower of Jesus,

Arthur Blessitt
Luke 18:1