We went to visit Luis at his house a few days after his baptism to continue encouraging him in his new-found faith. When we handed him the baptism certificate, he immediately looked for a frame and space to hang it. He was sincerely considering hanging it outside of the house so everyone that passed by might know that he is completely God’s. That led us to talk about evangelism and he began to break down as we prayed for his co-workers and family members who are where he once was, trapped in a life of addiction, pain and darkness. There is something so beautiful when a new believer prays; the raw, real, heart-felt prayers definitely reach God’s ears!
We moved our family, quit our old job and came to live in Los Angeles for people like Luis and we stand in faith with him believing that many more people will come to Jesus this coming year. In 2016, we baptized 11 people, and have seen more commit their lives to Jesus as Lord and Savior. The healing of families is powerful too. During his baptism, Luis humbly asked forgiveness of his wife, children, brother and mother, all whom he had deeply wounded in his years of rebellious and destructive behavior. The darkness, pain and oppression still exist in the city, but household by household we are seeing a difference as people grab ahold of who Jesus is and what He has done for them.
Luis was invited to church by his wife and then came out to our family camp and was so impacted that he committed his life to Jesus. Luis’ wife was invited by her sister-in-law, who was invited by another person in our church. That person came to know Jesus through his son, whom we met at a children’s outreach we held at the park. The point is, as we each take little steps of obedience and submit to God’s heart for the people of the city (that are often overlooked and taken advantage of) it can lead to great, big change, for all of eternity.
Just think, it was a small, weak baby born to a poor family that came to us one night in a stable, who has made all the difference in our lives today. Our family thanks you for your prayers and for celebrating Christ’s birth and life with us along with our new church family here in the heart of the city.
