The Baptism of our neighbor Mai

This is Mai several months ago.  She is our neighbor who first started studying English in our home a year and a half ago.  She's in her last year of high school, and is planning to study to be a veterinary assistant after high school.  

 We had a lot of fun together... a special highlight was making chocolate chip cookies together one afternoon.  She tried cookie dough batter for the first time, and loved it!  

Last summer she came to our church's camp for young people, and began to really think about the claims of Jesus. She said the messages were really difficult, but she knew she had found something that felt true.   She began a Bible study every week, and began attending worship service with us regularly.  Through this process, she chose to give her life to Jesus... and was baptized the last Sunday in July!  We rejoice as she makes this huge step.

Mai chan being baptized by our pastor, Fujimoto Sensei.  The baptismal is built into the front of the church sancdtuary, and covered by carpet when it's not in use.  Baptism are BIG days at our church, and are followed by a potluck party and special recognition and celebration.  

 Eric greeting Mai after her baptism.  The whole church lined up behind Mai to shake hands and officially "welcome" her into the church family.  She cried through the whole thing!

Mai receives flowers after the event.

Our pastor's daughter, Akari, met with Mai while she was studying the Bible, and sang a special song at her baptism.  Mai cried through the whole thing!  She really is a new person now.  We've never seen her with so much joy before.  Our being in Japan -- it's worth it just to witness the life of one person being made new:

"If anyone is in Christ, they are a new person;  the old is gone, the new is come!"