Baptisms up the Wazoo!

Camp was filled with surprises.  The people were inspirational, the place was exotic, and there were people converted to Adventism.  It was insanely inspiring and an emotional experience to witness the lives of so many being changed and devoted to Christ.  

It was really special to see these baptisms for many reasons.  Firstly, I find it a miracle to see any Thai people become christian because of the drastic difference from christianity to buddhism.  What a big step for any person to take, what different gods to believe in, and what a change to believe in a god that hardly any one in your country believes in.  Secondly, one of my students

and friends was baptized.  It was so amazing to watch her choose Jesus that day.  Her name is Gina, and she's a chinese buddhist... which I would assume is a huge family belief.  Her mother isn't adventist, but watching her daughter be baptized that day made her realize she is interested in christianity and raised her hand when the pastor asked if any one would be interested in a baptism in the future.

Lastly, I couldn't converse with these people, so I wasn't aware of the many people that had seen Jesus during camp and were deciding to believe in Him.  Because I don't speak Thai, I didn't know what people were saying, how camp was affecting them, and what kind of impact Jesus was having on them.  It was so unbelievable to see how many people choose Him that day.  

After the people were baptized in the swimming pool, the people baptized formed a line so others could congratulate them.  I believe nearly twenty people choose Jesus that day, so it was a big line.  I was so happy to see a face I recognized, other than Gina's.  This lady and I smiled at one another and I can't explain the overwhelming joy I felt for her.  We shared a moment as I hugged her, I was so happy for her and excited for the journey her life was about to embark on.  All of these people baptized are gonna have a hard time.  Their families are christian, so going home to house filled with idols and people who worship buddha is gonna be difficult for them.  I hope they don't give up, I hope they try and that their trials prove good.  I pray that Jesus will give them the strength to fight for Him and hopefully, maybe, their families will become christian as well, that would be the ultimate miracle- to see their fire for Jesus grow.