What a joy to see the long awaited baptism of our brothers! It was held in a horse trough, outside a house of one of our house church members. We had filled it up with warm house water that morning (it was only 45 outside!), but when we got ready to get it, the tub was empty! Such a struggle to get them baptized!

(Once filled the water hose was disconnected, and the water was siphoned off and drained slowly into the neighbor’s yard! But fortunately 30 minutes later we had enough not quite cold water!)

Hearing their testimonies were the best. One student broke up with his girl friend of seven years, partly or mostly due to his new direction in life. He shared that he had been on the fence for a while, wondering about making the decision. He asked God for a sign to help him one night. The next day he had Chinese food and the fortune cookie said

“To affirm is to make firm.”

He took that to mean that if he affirmed his decision for Jesus, then God would make him firm in His faith!

Another difficulty was 4 days before when their friend told them that if they got baptized, then they would not be eligible for the best academic jobs in China, since the communist party constitution forbid Christians from being members. The two who were communists said

they would rather trust God for their future jobs than trusting the Communist Party!

Another blessing was that five other students, non-Christians, who have been reading the Bible with us, also attended the baptism. They got many of their questions answered that day and afterwards.

Please pray for the next harvest which could still be this year!