Not afraid
By Steve Weemes, OMF missionary to Japan
Thirty young people crowded into a small living room, all with their eyes on Keisuke, his face beaming.
“Thank you, Emiko, for letting us use your place,” Keisuke said. “And thank you everyone for coming to my baptism today. Just seeing so many friends reminds me of what heaven will be like. As many of you know, I trusted Jesus as my Savior over a year ago, then I grew in Christ quickly because I was very excited about the peace God gave me. I even began to lead a Bible study on campus. But then I fell away from God because I wasn’t willing to talk to my parents about getting baptized. I was afraid. For several months I avoided all my Christian friends. But then Steve Weemes began to meet with me at a McDonald’s to do Bible study. I realized that God was speaking very strongly to me about having the faith to talk to my parents. So I did. And guess what? They said OK! So that’s why I’m here today to be baptized. Praise God.”
As soon as Keisuke finished his testimony, I turned to Emiko and asked, “Is the water ready?” She went to check and soon returned to let us know it was ready. Ten minutes later, one of his college friends baptized Keisuke as all the rest clapped and cheered.
I beamed, so glad to know that our Father had poured His grace through me to touch Keisuke’s life.