Church birth

As we landed on the runway of one its small islands we were aware that we had just entered into only one of two countries of the world who claim to be 100% Muslim. The Maldives, located in the Indian Ocean shares this claim with Saudi Arabia.

We journeyed to this island nation to document the sites and to tell through video the story of God’s beginning work among the Divehi people.

Twelve hundred islands comprise the land area. Of these, 120 island are populated. Another 80 islands have been created as luxury resorts, making the Maldives a favorite tourist destination of people from Europe and Asia.

A small church has been birthed in recent years, although no freedom exists to congregate. In 1998 the Christian workers in the country were forced to leave, and the young believers who remained endured a season of severe persecution.

radio

One of the first Christians began an underground radio broadcast, which was transmitted into the country from abroad. In an emergency situation the family fled the country under the threat of death. To this day they remain exiled but continue to produce the radio program.

It was this person who produced the first Christian music recording by creating Christian lyrics to fit with well known indigenous tunes. The songs are used as a part of the radio broadcast.

HSI was able to provide a mobile recording studio to enable continued production of the broadcast while the family is in exile. The audio recording which HSI distributes of the Maldives was not recorded by HSI —we have only supplied needed equipment.

The video documentary chronicles recent history of God’s activities in the Maldives. It also includes interviews with significant Christian workers as they give first hand accounts of their ministry to the Divehi people.

God is birthing his church in a very difficult part of the world, and music is serving as a entry way into the hearts of its people.