The past five months have left me with all kinds of “once in a lifetime” stories to tell. For instance, being a refugee in a third world country after an earthquake while doing relief work. Another would be helping to build a church in the jungle of Bolivia (then spending the following weeks with a parasite). The most recent “once in a lifetime” moment happened on May 26th.
This story begins all the way back in January, our first month on the field. The team I was on brought up the subject of being baptized. They were asking who has been baptized and who hasn’t. I think I was the minority in the group when I spoke up said I had not been baptized yet. They quickly asked why and I said because I was going to be baptized in the Indian Ocean. Some questioned how I knew we would even be close to the ocean where we were going. Well, I didn’t know, but in my heart I knew that is where I would get baptized.
Then something crazy happened last month. The Lord made the earth quake in the very country where we were. Even crazier, the epicenter was just miles from where we were camping to do relief work at a church in the village. Considering the happenings of the past few weeks (not to mention everything else that has been thrown at this squad), AIM decided that we needed an impromptu debrief.
Our de-brief the past week has brought us to this beautiful, picturesque, island on the Indian Ocean. I knew nothing about the island but I knew it was where I would get baptized. When you know, you know.
So on Tuesday May 26th at seven in the morning I was baptized! I only invited a few people because I know it is considered a “public declaration of your faith,” but at the same time in my opinion it is an intimate thing between the Lord and I. I even joked and said the setting would be equivalent to my dream wedding because there was only five people and I.
It was a beautiful experience, and such a calm and peaceful morning for it. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. We may never be martyrs but we can die to self, to sin, to the world, to our plans and ambitions. That is the significance of baptism; we died with Christ and rose to new life.
It also made my heart happy afterwards when I was Face-timing my oldest nephew (he is seven), and he asked me if I would “babpatize” him when I get home. Of course I said yes…(with a tear or two in my eyes).
**Update on funding: I am at $12,219. I need to be at $16,250 by July 1st. I am $4,000 away. I need all the help I can get, but I am trusting in the Lord to get me there. I would rather not leave the race. I want to finish what I started. PLEASE help if you can! ***
