Stories from our field
“I got the desire to seek Jesus”
Angelina began our online course ‘Eternal Life’. Her mentor, Hennie van de Worp, talked with her in the second lesson about baptism. She had never been baptized, but wanted to do that sometime in the future. Hennie then told her that it would be good to go to a church.
Sadly, Angelina didn’t do any more of the lessons…Until ten months later, she suddenly sent Hennie a message. ‘I was baptized last Sunday!’ She also sent in another lesson right away.
Desire for Jesus
Later, Angelina sent a copy of the testimony she gave at her baptism. Even though she was not raised in a believing household, she got a desire to seek Jesus at a young age.
Angelina, ‘It started this way: I was thirteen when the desire to seek Jesus grew more and more. The crazy thing is that I did know quite a bit, even though I was not raised to believe. My parents were Catholic, but I never looked into that.’
‘I kept searching for what faith really is, and in my search, I found Jesus and accepted Him into my heart. He showed Himself to me, and so, I got to know Him. I am so super thankful each day that He chose to let me see His greatness and that He lets those around me see that He is full of love, that He loves us how we are. Because He says, “Come to me as you are”. He has really showed me what love is.’
A way out
‘I didn’t know how life was meant to be. I didn’t know how I was supposed to treat people, but He has given me His love and taught me how to live. He taught me to relate to others in love and that I should treat them the same way that I want to be treated.’
‘I have seen a lot and went through a lot, but the Lord has given me a way out through every disappointment, every pain, and all the difficulties and sadness. He has let me see time and again that He is with me and that I don’t have to be afraid. Because He says, “I am with you always, until the end of the world.” He has also said to me, “Didn’t you know that you needed to go through all of this for me to get you where I wanted you to be? How can you help someone else if you haven’t felt pain, sadness and disappointments yourself?” That is why I want to give myself totally over to Him and become baptized.’
Baptism verse
In the meantime, Angelina continued with her course. Hennie was thankful for this time together. She asked Angelina what Bible text she received when she was baptized. ‘Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.’ (2 Timothy 2:21-22)
Hennie says, ‘Angelina is a young woman. This text was carefully chosen for her. It fits her well.’
Photo by Klara Kulikova on Unsplash
