Lydia is Baptized!

 by Andrea

On Thursday, something happened that I've been praying for since before my children were born: James walked into the Adriatic Sea with Lydia and baptized her into Christ.

Our friend Misiri, who had been attending the Berat church of Christ for a long time and knows the Christians well, wanted to be baptized in the sea. People in our church don't have cars and the closest beach is over an hour away (we live in the mountains), so the church hired a bus so everyone could go to the sea for the baptism.

Lydia, who had been quietly thinking about her faith a lot recently, eagerly asked us if she could be baptized too. She had her thirteenth birthday this June. It's not always easy to see the point when someone who has been talking to and learning about and worshipping God since infancy is ready to take responsibility for her own faith. When we asked her why she wanted to be baptized and become a Christian, we weren't looking for the right answers as much as the right attitude. This wasn't for attention or to prove something to herself or someone else. This was something she needed to do despite everyone else. When James and I nodded and started preparing for a baptism, she turned pink with joy and I looked over and said, "You're glowing!" I absolutely knew then that she was ready.

In true Lydia form, she chose everything she wore with deliberate care and meaning to her heart: She found a Global Missions T-shirt. She put on a necklace she had made for herself that said WWJD. She wore an Albanian Eagle necklace. She had "Jesus Loves me," "Pray for Ukraine," and "Still Following - Adventures in Missions" bracelets on her arms. She was eager for her appointment with following Jesus for the rest of her life. She just radiated peace and happiness.

Clara and Gideon were absolutely the sweetest and most supportive. Gideon dashed into the waves to fling his arms around his sister. Clara hugged her fiercely and gave every single bit of quiet support and love. I was so blessed to see their harmony.

August 22, 2024. My baby girl was born again. Praise God. His mercies are new every morning.

Congratulations to Misiri and Lydia! Welcome to God's Kingdom!

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Acts 2:38 NKJV

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:3-4 NKJV

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Galatians 3:27 NKJV

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Matthew 28:19 NKJV

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,