Our First Baptisms!
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Sunday morning at 8:00 AM we gathered at the pool of the Hilton Garden Inn to baptize six people. These were our first baptisms since we arrived in Costa Rica over two years ago. Hallelujah!
The hotel gave us permission to use the pool early before their guests would normally use it. But since Costa Rica is warm all-day-long all-year-long, the setting was perfect. The pool is on the third floor with a panoramic view overlooking lush green jungle. It was a breath-taking scene.
Those being baptized reflect the fascinating diversity of our international church. We had people baptized from Ukraine, Honduras, Costa Rica, and the USA. Each one has opened their lives to Jesus to allow him to write a new story.
Fernando’s testimony brought a smile to my face. He had questions about baptism, so we met recently at a local café. He explained that he wanted to pursue God more seriously this year. One of his New Year’s resolutions was to put more action into his faith.
At ECF we provide every attender with an adhesive name badge at the doorway into our service. (We want people to feel warmly welcomed.) Fernando mentioned that, after church, he takes his name badge home and sticks it onto a wall. The wall is now filled with name badges! He said, “Steve, I think I’ve been to church more this year than in my entire life!” That’s one way to put action into your faith!
Vita is another fascinating story. She was born in Ukraine, but left her homeland to study in the USA more than ten years ago. In time, Vita met Jesus and then married Rafa, who’s from Costa Rica. Vita has not been back to Ukraine in more than a decade. None of her family was able to attend her wedding. Before I baptized her, with tears streaming down her cheeks, Vita shared her commitment to love and follow Jesus.
Not all “church work” is fun. Not everything about ministry brings smiles and cheers. But baptisms are near the top of my list as one of my always-favorite moments. Today was a good day….no, it was a great day! God is at work and we get to go along for the ride!
Warmly,
Steve and Pam
