The Word Gives Life

“This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life.” Psalm 119:50, HCSB.
 
On a ride to baptize a new believer, we met up with Jon.  He had no destination in mind when he got on his bike that morning, so he joined us.  After riding with us that day, the Lord just wouldn’t leave him alone.  He and I met one Saturday, and during our conversation, he asked Jesus to be his Lord and Savior.  A few weeks later, he was baptized and joined our Bible training.  He immediately put into action what he was being taught.  After each of our sessions, he would go home and start reading what he had learned aloud to his wife.
 
His wife, Doods, had gotten her nursing degree and was enjoying her life until she became addicted to drugs.  Doods had become so depressed that she had not left her house in one and one-half years.  She would not eat nor would she even get off the floor to bathe or to use the bathroom.  When the smell became too much, Jon would carry her into the bathroom to bathe her. He also often had to force her to eat.
 
At first, Jon’s Bible reading seemed to be a waste of time.  But then one day Jon noticed that Doods was listening to what he read.  As a result, Jon began reading Bible verses to his wife every day.  Over time, Doods began to sit up as Jon read. Then she moved to sit next to him. Finally she began reading along with him.  One day, Jon called to tell us that his wife would be joining us at our next worship service. 
 
When I saw Doods for the first time, she was very thin. She had no muscle tone, and her eyes were sunk deep into her head.  She was very slow to respond to questions because it took time for her to realize that anyone was even talking to her.  Over several weeks, she faithfully attended our services.  She and Jon continued to read Scripture every night.  She even participated in an outreach event.  Although she didn’t yet know Jesus as her Savior, she told others how this Jesus had restored her life.
 
One day during the service, Doods asked a number of questions about what it meant to give your life to Jesus.  That night, she told her husband that she fully understood the meaning of following Jesus, and she asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior.  She agreed to follow through with baptism.  On February 12, 2006, we rode out to the beach where her husband, Jon, led her out into the baptismal waters.  He prayed for Doods, and then asked her if she had fully given her life to Jesus Christ.  She responded with a resounding, “YES!”  Jon looked into his wife’s eyes and said, “Then I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
 
I asked Jon later if he was still reading the Bible to his wife.  He replied, “No, now she is reading it to me.” As believers, we know that the Word that became flesh is Jesus Christ.  For Doods that Word has given her life.

Pray that:

Jon and Doods will continue to grow in their faith and will share God’s word with others.

Other bikers in Manila will be reached with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

A church planting movement will be ignited among bikers in Metro Manila and that many new churches will be started as a result.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.