Foreign Exchange and Investment
Maika came to our small rural community from Germany last summer as a foreign exchange student. She was placed in the home of a Catholic family, though she had no personal religious background.
Several students from our church’s youth group befriended Maika at school, and before long she was tagging along to Wednesday night Bible study.
At first, Maika was very skeptical. For a young woman who had never opened God’s Word, these deep truths seemed hard for her to understand in the context of her personal life. As time went on, Maika’s interaction began to take a turn. She was active in our study every week, and drawing personal application from God’s truths.
When Bible study ended one evening, Maika asked me: “What do I need to do to be baptized in your church? Because I consider your church to be my church.”
I asked her: “Do you believe that Jesus’ death on the cross was to pay for your sins, and His sacrifice is the only reason you can have eternal life?”
“Yes,” she replied.
On June 10th, we celebrated her NEW LIFE, by baptizing her while her host family looked on. The days and weeks leading up to and following her baptism allowed many opportunities to discuss spiritual matters with her family in Germany as well.
Maika has returned to Germany, with a newly found faith and a commitment to grow as a Christian. We are working to help her find a Bible study and some Christian fellowship near her home.