The last morning of our VBS week, we woke up early. With the grass still saturated from the early morning rain and a slight chill in the air, we and a group of youth walked down to the river. Our steps were soft and light on the carpet of pine needles that had fallen from the pines towering above us. The bright shafts of sun that reached through the trees warmed our skin. Our hearts were light. The gravel crunched under our feet as we approached the water’s edge. The water shone in the sun and our ears took in the sound of the howler monkey somewhere farther down river. It was a peaceful scene; the moment was full of reverence and expectency. We stood together in a circle as Pastor Esau addressed the group, another momentous occasion. Another two had decided to be baptized! They were youth who had been serving with us all week.
"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in 1order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Romans 6:1-4
After a sweet time of prayer, songs and hugs, most of the kids who came went for a quick swim. Eventually we turned and headed back home. Somewhere along the way, another of the youth met us and said that she too wanted to be baptized. With overflowing hearts we all went back to the edge of the river, and she was also baptized.
Anyone who is involved in ministry knows that sometimes it seems like you pour and pour and pour into those you’re ministering to and see little to no evidence that anything is happening in their hearts. And then there are these times! Times where God is clearly on the move. Hearts are stirred, and they step forward to say in a public way they have decided to follow Jesus. All of us adults really noticed a change in the youth during this week of VBS. We have always had some youth help out in the past, but this year we all commented on their spiritual growth. After some challanges and hard things from last year, beginning this new year with this kind of growth was such encouragement for our souls. The theme of VBS was growing God’s garden, (our hearts) and for me, my garden was heavily watered and well taken care of. We have really been encouraged by the youth and also the kids in our community as we’ve been doing more and more weekly ministry with them.
Prayer points:
- Please pray for the kids in our community and for us as we minister to them.
- Our annual medical brigade is coming up. (February 16-20) Pray that all the logistics of the brigade go smoothly and pray for the people who will be traveling to us for medical care. May God bring healing to their bodies and hearts.
Thank you for being on this journey with us!
5 Comments
Thank you for sharing! We have been praying for ya’ll but will be especially remembering the medical brigade as it’s approaching and happening. Blessings as ya’ll continue to serve. Love ya’ll!!
Thank you Lord for hearing and answering our prayers!
Thank you Crystal, for sharing this wonderful news! We at headquarters are working, praying, serving, and praising for this very reason. Lord turn hearts toward you and especially the children! Thank you Lord for our precious team in Rus Rus that so faithfully and sacrificially minister to the people you have called them to serve and love that You might be seen through their example.
What an inspiring blog. So grateful for sharing from a place I dearly love. Thank you for faithfully tending the gardens!
Let the little children come into ME!
My heart felt full and overflowing just reading your words- praise GOD for souls being saved and for the growth you are seeing. And for the work you are doing- 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽