The Last Baptism -
The impact of one little boy’s life can teach all of us something beautiful.
Justin only eight years old, rushed up to Ruth (one of our team) at an outreach as she distributed food. He asked if he could have a yogurt. She knew there wasn’t much food in his home because his parents were drug addicts and money was scarce. He was thrilled when she gave him a whole case.
Justin didn’t know who Jesus was, but found out that day. He began to attend church and fell in love with Jesus.
Soon he learned that follower’s of Jesus obeyed Him by being water baptized. This little boy was adamant that he be included in the next baptism service. However, his mother refused to give her approval. The day of the baptisms Justin stood by watching, as some adults backed out complaining the water was too cold. After everyone was baptized, Justin jumped into the water with all his clothes on and insisted on being baptized too…how could they refuse.
A few weeks later as Justin was crossing a busy road, all alone, he was struck by a car and died almost instantly.
At the funeral, his mother requested that the children of the church sing a little song Justin used to sing constantly “Jesus I want to know you more, I want to praise you more.” That day salvation came to Justin’s home as his mother committed her life to Christ. She was given his baptismal certificate, and said how very happy she was that he had been baptized before he died. Can you imagine Justin looking into the eyes of our Savior, singing that song, only the words are a little different, “Jesus now I do know you more, Jesus, now I can praise you more.” A little life that taught us so much. Perhaps, he was too filled with the glory of God for this evil world. Our prayer is that thousands of ‘big people’ will read this story and be touched and changed by Christ to a deeper walk and a new life in Him. Isaiah 57:1 says, “…the righteous is taken away from evil, he enters into peace.“ Goodnight Justin. Thank you for a life that will change and impact thousands of others. “Only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”
He Didn’t Know Jesus Is Yeshua!
Orif had never heard the whole gospel of Jesus Christ. “Why hasn’t anyone ever told me this,?” asked the young Israeli.
He was so open to God’s plan for his life. “How do I get to be born again?“ As we presented the plan of salvation, he repented of his sins, and received Christ as his Messiah that day right in the middle of the mall. He began to share his story with us of how he had fled Israel, after twice escaping bomb blasts set by suicide bombers that could have taken his life. He said, “everything is against me. I’ve had nothing but bad luck my whole life.” His father had committed suicide when he was just 11. Now he was in America, without papers, afraid and alone. We told him that he was no longer an orphan in the universe. Everything has changed. With Christ, you don’t need good luck or bad luck anymore. Your name is now written in the Lamb’s book of life, and if you are in Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and an heir according to the promise (Gal.3:29). Orif was tearful when he was born again and wanted to know why he felt that his burdens had been lifted. We explained he had just had a heart operation and that Christ who is the burden bearer had lifted all his cares. Christ would now guide and direct his life.
Our primary mission is to bring the good news of salvation to those who are lost and perishing. “I was sought by those who did ask for me, I was found by him who did not seek me.” Isaiah 65:1
Project Miracle House:
It is never anything short of a miracle when we are able to house some of our precious single mothers with children. Patricia and her two little boys, 4 and 9
(along with grandma and grandpa) had shared a house with 20 others for the last three years.
Finding homes, literally, cannot happen without divine intervention as there are so many impossible obstacles. Christ is always ever ready to come through for those who have survived the worst storms of life, and are truly serving Him. He puts the children of the needy in a safe harbor. If you could hear the cries of joy when we tell them, “yes you got the house,” Jesus did it. It would make you weep tears of jubilation with them. Please pray for our Miracle House Project, there are so many more precious souls in need of help.
The Old Hymn Says It Best -
“If we could see beyond today as God can see, if all the clouds should roll away the shadows flee, our present grief’s we would not fret, each sorrow
we would soon forget, for may joys are waiting yet, trust and obey.”
The Isles shall wait upon me…..(Isaiah 51:5)
At an outreach in Scotland where our beloved Struthers Memorial Church
is, we joined the team who regularly go into the city centers to preach the gospel to middle class Scots. The late Hugh Black (well known author and founder of the Struthers’ Churches) had
fervently prayed for revival in the British Isles, but particularly for Bonnie Scotland. A prayer meeting was held before the day of the outreach.
We prayed to take authority over the city center, and over all the powers of the enemy, after all we are on the side of Him who has already won! The day of the outreach, it was as though the Holy Spirit and the angels of God had cordoned off the area. We had total dominion. The men’s choir sang with an anointing as though from a chorus of angels, and it was evident that people were being drawn in like fish to the fresh water (Ezk. 47). Some had tears in their eyes, others seemed fixated to the spot where they stood. The young people who found Christ as Savior that day, seemed desperately hungry for the truth and disillusioned with sin. Excited, we sensed seeds of revival that we trust will continue to flourish! “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” Romans 15:21
These newsletters highlight the work the Lord is doing through Angels for Christ. Thank you for your part in bringing joy and blessing to others and allowing Christ to live through you.
In His service,
Don & Carol Ann Waisanen
© 2004 Angels For Christ Ministries, Inc.