Attending a Baptism

So today I got to see a baptism. Generally I think the missionaries here try to make sure people are actually honest in their desires, but at the same time they also trust that if they ask to go as far as baptism, than perhaps God is leading them to exactly that.

The service was very normal, aside from the fact that about 6 of the people out of the 25 or so there were not Christians. The message was not extremely long because of the baptism and the celebration of I believe 15 years of that church being in existance. The Messers, the ones who are now in charge, haven't been there the entire time, but took over from the previous people and kept it going, basically, as I understand it.

So anyways, the man to be baptized's testimony was written by himself and placed in the bulletin for all to read (assuming they could), and then there were the normal questions asked about whether or not he believed before he would be baptized. Since the church is still too small for baptism like you'll see in most places in the US, the method was 3 sprinkles on the head. The church then also gave him a small gift as congratulations.

Baptism is huge in Japan. It's supposedly the sign of just how serious you are about actually following Christ. So for this man to make this statement was a large one.

It's funny how from the human persspective his baptism held little meaning, but I'm sure in Heaven God was throwing a HUGE PARTY over this man's decision.

They ended the service with a slideshow of the memories and such of the last few years around there. The thing I remember most from that service, though, is honestly not the baptism. Don't get me wrong, it was awesome and I'm so glad I saw it, but God had something else in mind for me. As the pictures rolled through, eventually one came up with the Ghents, Angela, and the Messers. All the missionaries for this portion of the country. I think that was about when I lost it. God reached down and touched my heart. He said, "That's what I made you to do. That's what I've made you to be." I know that missions in Japan, without a doubt, is what I am called to do. I've known for awhile, but lately through my classes at Seminary I've been wondering if I'm really called... and wouldn't the time, effort, and energy be better used by local Christian missionaries who are willing to reach out if I supported them? They'll always have the greatest in-road over me into other lives -- I can never be fully Japanese. I can learn the language and customs, but in the end I will always be a "gaijin" (foreigner).

Where I'll be in Japan is becoming clearer, but I've yet to really come to terms with it just yet, haha. The slideshow was just... it was the exact encouragement and reminder from God that I think I needed.

So praise be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

God bless, all.
~Aikin, Scott