I'm getting baptised with you!

On the last day of Alpha I decided to get baptised.

I thought getting baptised was like having a wedding ceremony.I was already a Christian because I prayed that prayer to receive Jesus, but I didn't feel complete. I wanted to tell the whole world that I am going to live a new life with Jesus!

Also, I wanted to get baptised before I leave Australia.

During the final Alpha session I was asked to share my testimony.

This is what I shared.

"I came to this Alpha course through my mother. Every week I struggled a lot because I couldn't understand things. But at the same time I felt peace.
One experience that totally changed me was the Holy Spirit day. Until that day, I was struggling to make a decision to become a Christian because I knew that I was going to Japan, the country that only has less than 1% Christians.

I didn't understand why I wanted to know more about Christianity when I had a plan to go back to Japan, but every week I got closer to God. But now that I know God, I am so happy that I made the decision to receive Jesus and I am not scared to tell people that I've became a Christian. I believe that I'll still face difficult times in my life but I can overcome anything because nothing can be worse than the life wtihout Jesus. I'm not alone anymore!
And I am so thankful that people prayed for me and shined their lights to me. I want to do that to others as well. I want to keep on sowing seeds."

Everyone clapped and gave me big hugs. I felt really happy.

Other people gave great speeches too. One guy called Adrian said,

" I used to be logical and focus on education. I've always been successful in my life. I had great career. But I felt that something was lacking in me. That's when my friend invited me to Alpha course. I realised that perhaps I was missing God's love in my life. Since I started coming to alpha, I've been feeling God's love in my heart. I felt His love through other people too. I'm so happy that I came to Alpha. And I'm going to get baptised too."

It was amazing to see him becoming a softer and softer throughout the course.Only God can change people to this extent!

When I arrived home, my mother gave me a big smile and said,

"Izumi... I decided to get baptised with you!!!"

My mum had been struggling for a long time, but finally she made that decision.That was because she had been talking to this one Christian woman who had been struggling for years to get baptised or not. She thought she didn't want to be like her!

My mother's eyes were shining. I was overwhelmed with joy. I'm going to get baptised with my mum!!! and my other Alpha friends!!! I couldn't wait until one of the best days of my life...

Spiritual warfare????

I used to hear about spiritual warfare, but I didn't know that I'll experience that straight after my decision to get baptised.

My father, who is not a Christian, became so angry about our decision to get baptised. He threatened my mother and said that she can not get baptised.

We prayed together a lot. It was good how my mother was strong about her decision.Although he attaced us through words and his attitude, we believed in God and we treated him nicely.
When my father realised that our decision was definite, he gave up. He knew that he couldn't take care of our lives. He said, "I can't find a good reason to stop you getting baptised. Afterall it's your life."

Also Lilly who were going to get baptised with us said that she wasn't sure anymore. Whenever people prayed for her, she felt better and said that she will get baptised but it always changed.
Another Chinese girl also said that she wasn't sure anymore because she thought that she was not "good enough." She was in the process of getting divorced and couldn't stop smoking and she was afraid to be committed to one church. But when people told about God's grace and His power to change her life she looked better.

Another Japanese girl who was going to get baptised with her started worrying too as her parents were buddhists and she didn't want other Christians to know that she wasn't baptised yet because people thought she was baptised already.

Everyone was challenged in different ways. We didn't know how many will actually get baptised until the day...

The day that I will never forget!!!

5th December was definitely one of the best days of my life.

Before our baptisms, we were invited to Adrian's baptism which was held at his friend's house. He got baptised in pool. I can't describe how beautiful it was.Adrian gave a speech before he got baptised in the pool.

He said how Shane and I played an important part in his decision to get baptised.Through us he felt the true meaning of "Love, honesty and humility."

He got baptised in the pool and he was born again. I can't describe how beautiful it was...! He looked totally different afterwards. He looked really warm. Filled with love.I realised that that was how God designed him to be.

Our baptisms started from 7:30pm at Northshore Christian Centre. Unfortunately so many of our friends couldn't come. But 3 of my friends from Uni and 2 of my friends from my highschool came. And Adrian who just got baptised before us came along as well.
My mum didn't actually know how special Baptisms are so she didn't invite many people. Only 2 of her Catholic friends came.

As we didn't know if everyone was going to come, I almost cried when I saw all the girls there to get baptised with us...!!! They looked really happy. They have made the decision to overcome their worries and fears.

So on this day, I got baptised with 4 Japanese, 1 Taiwanese, 1 Korean girl, 1 Aussie boy and a Korean pastor and his wife. This couple was already baptised before but they only had water sprinkled so they wanted to get water baptised. 　It was a special experience for me to get baptised with my mum. As I went into the water, my sins was washed away and I was born again...! So many people gave me great words from the Bible. One scripture that I remember was Matthew 5:14-16

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

My Pastor prophesized over me that I will become a great leader in Japan and I'll share God's love to people. At this time I couldn't really picture myself leading many Japanese to Jesus but it was a great encouragement.

I would never forget about this day. Everyone felt the same. We all felt connected!
5th December :)