The Most Important Day in Josiah's Life

~ Krista watches as Shauen baptizes Josiah w/ Jerome assisting ~ Today, Christmas Day, was the most important day in Josiah's life. It couldn't wait until Grandma arrives on January 10th. It couldn't wait until the next convenient Sunday. It couldn't wait until we could scrape together the money to buy samosas and soda pop for the congregation according to local tradition. No, Josiah (just like the rest of us) needed this particular blessing too much to delay it. So today, at Christmas Day service - the first time we have had the opportunity to worship together as the body of Christ - today Josiah Michael Trump's heathen self was put off and he became a Christian. Today, Josiah was baptized.

Josiah's sponsors (Godparents) are Scott, who lives in Colorado, and Beth, who works in Sudan. Neither could be here for the baptism itself, so we asked fellow missionary Reverend Jacob Gillard and his wife Michelle to stand as witnesses and answer on behalf of Josiah's sponsors. Krista held Josiah as I began the baptism liturgy. He was wearing the cutest little white onesie baptism outfit that we had picked up in the States. What joy I felt in my heart as I took my newborn child in my arms and generously poured that water over his head with those amazing words, "Josiah, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." And right there, before our very eyes, God put His mark on Josiah, that indelible tattoo that says, "This child is mine." With that water and God's amazing words of promise, God placed into Josiah a saving faith. How amazing that this child, who cannot even express himself, who thinks without even language, who was born sinful, can receive already God's most amazing gift!

Josiah didn't make a peep - he just looked up at me with those big brown eyes as I baptized him. And what joy I felt as I walked Josiah through the congregetion introducing him as the newest Christian. Josiah, my child, on Christmas day you can celebrate that Christ Jesus not only came into the world for you but also called you to himself. I can't imagine a more amazing present. Merry Christmas, Josiah.  -Shauen