Standing Tall in Christ

"They are following Jesus into death, so they can also follow him into life." - English

"Ils suivent le Seigneur Jésus dans la mort, ainsi qu'ils puissent aussi le suivre dans la nouvelle vie." - French

"Oub tuan Zézi haála Kounni, nayilab lé tông tuan vin paalu-wan."- Mooré

The BAPTISM of our son Titus and our friend Tall brought together a beautifully diverse group of friends.  Some of our crowd needed the talking in English, since our French isn't strong.  Some of Tall's friends spoke no English or French, so it needed to be translated into Mooré.  Another friend speaks no English or Mooré, so it needed to be translated into French, as well.  After each of Philip's sentences in English, Ruth translated into French, then Souley translated into Mooré.
"Jesus....."   "Jésus......"    "Zéki....."
Of the more than twenty people present, only one could understand the Gospel in all three languages being spoken.  I couldn't get over how beautiful the sound must be to God.  To hear His word repeated over and over and over.  Some of us couldn't speak to each other without a translator, but we could each speak to Him.  It was more beautiful than I could ask or imagine.

Two and a half years ago, our friend Troy met Tall when he came out here to visit us with his family.  He has been faithfully encouraging and praying for Tall ever since.  Troy's heart was already here when he knew this baptism was coming but, amazing to us, the LORD made a way for him to be here in person!  This is more than we could ask or imagine.

Faithfulness begets faithfulness.  Someone is watching your seemingly unnoticeable acts of faithfulness. Tall was a bit nervous, not knowing what to expect at a Christian baptism, so he was overjoyed for Titus to lead the way.  Titus was ready because he's seen many go before him.  Thank you for that.  Tall was ready after watching Titus.  Who's to say now what the future holds for the four Muslim friends who came to watch Tall?  Or the many more who are watching him to see what this new life in Christ is all about?  We can't say what's to come, except that faithfulness begets faithfulness.