Place of Baptism

There are times when we need a break, even when that break involves you and 38 other members of an extended family. Bogdan, Anya, Inna, Roma and I got to bring the guys and girls from the Safe Haven house, plus a group of kids who either lived here or who have become a part of our lives through past camps, to Kompass Park in the village of Khreshatic. Thanks to Alla, the director there who was able to get sponsors, we were able to bring many more kids than we thought possible.

It was fun to watch them be kids, to go swimming, to wander about the village, and to catch up with each other. Each night we had a time of sharing about who Christ is and how we can grow in our faith. Mostly, it was a time to share His love and to enjoy each others company.

As we were waiting to start one meeting, Bogdan asked us to pray for Yulia and Dasha as they were speaking with Anya about their faith. A few minutes later, Anya came in to tell us that both of them wanted to be baptized as a public showing of their desire to follow Christ.

Praying for Yulia, Dasha and Vova

We went down to the river and Bogdan and I baptized Yulia and Dasha--this was a first for me. As we were getting out of the river, Vova asked if he could be baptized too. It's hard to describe the joy that brought and the gift that it was for us.

Later, Frank from Hope Now, which started Kompass Park, told us that Khreshatic means "place of baptism." Gotta love when that happens.