A baptism service celebrates new life in Jesus Christ.
“Would you like to go on a walk with us?” I had just arrived in Haiti, and this was my first introduction to Ruth and Nina, who work with Samaritan’s Purse.
Eager to explore the community and to get to know these new friends, I excitedly agreed. Children from everywhere and seemingly out of nowhere started running toward us at full speed exclaiming “Ruth!” and “Nina!” Our staff are loved by the children in Haiti.
Nina has worked in Haiti for seven years and Ruth for almost four years. I would be amazed over the coming months to watch Nina and Ruth pour into the lives of children.
Recently, Ruth and Nina helped plan a baptism service for two special people. Claudiana had come to faith in Jesus Christ through The Greatest Journey discipleship program. She had received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox and participated in The Greatest Journey just prior to Hurricane Matthew slamming into Haiti last fall. The powerful storm destroyed homes and roads, families were displaced, and the baptism was put on hold.
Ruth and Nina were also excited to see Junior baptized, whom they had befriended over the years. Junior taught them Creole and they taught him English. They built a trust and friendship with Junior and shared the Gospel with him.
The baptisms were held on a nearby beach. Several Samaritan’s Purse staff as well as children and adults from the community attended. A local pastor named Felix preached the Gospel.
The sun shone brightly and everyone was quiet as Claudiana and Junior entered the gently lapping waves and were immersed into the water to be raised as new creations in Jesus Christ. We all praised God for His faithfulness in their lives.
As my time in Haiti comes to an end, I reflect on all the ways that I have been molded and all the people who have changed my life in ways I could never have foreseen. Ruth and Nina were a large part of that. They lived out what their faith, and in doing so, changed many lives.
They never forgot their true purpose behind everything they did—the Gospel. In serving alongside these women, I found healing. God revealed Himself to me, and revealed aspects of my life and character that He wanted to mold into the image of His Son.
God’s presence in my life was like waking up next to the vastness of an ocean every morning—the beauty and power of my God overwhelmed and awed me.
Although I am sad to leave Haiti, I know that this chapter in my life was no accident because God is equipping me for His future purposes. I am again assured that “He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).
