Josh recently wrote the following article for our team newsletter. About a week later, Miguel and his girlfriend Gabriella, both made the decision to put the Lord on in baptism. God is good! We are so excited to welcome this wonderful couple into the family of God. Please pray for the many more who are on the brink of making the same decision.
"The gestation period for chickens is 21 days. For rabbits it’s just ten days more than that. Growing up I remember waiting on each of these animals to bring new life into the world. One gets up in the morning wondering if today could be the day. JP our colt took us all by surprise because we didn’t know exactly when the mare had been sired. Usually though, one can know with pretty good precision when to expect the new little ones.
If only one’s birth in Christ were so easy to calculate. Many factors are at stake in determining one’s birth in Christ, namely cultural and familial influence, education and open-heartedness. The scale to calculate the growth and development of a soul is not an exact science but a discipline in waiting on the Lord.
We missionaries are waiting on edge with anticipation as several are on the verge of making a commitment to Christ. Their decision to put Christ on in baptism is neither an easy one nor one made lightly. Often their choice goes against their family’s upbringing and teaching. “Baptism?” the family asks. “But we baptized you on your first birthday.” However difficult the decision, C-section or inducement is not an option. We must rest on God’s time-table. They will be “children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:13)
Recently, Butch went out and bought a foldable, PVC-framed baptistery. He actually spent above his budget because he got the next size up. His reasoning? “Well, I wasn’t sure if we were going to get Miguel covered in that other one,” He said. There are many like our large-framed Bolivian friend whom we hope to be “born anew” in the near future. Please be praying for their decision and our patience as we wake each morning with anticipation."
