Baptised at 64-

This past Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, I was baptized by my current pastor, John Wilison and Alastair Taylor in a pool filled just for the purpose behind the place (school cafeteria) where Kampala International Church meets.

One of 3 people baptized, I gave a short testimony about how I came to this point. The talk went something like this:

21 years ago (on a Maunday Thursday just before Easter) Diane Chocolat, who did the childcare for my 2 girls, invited me to come for lunch. This was unusual for her to offer, and surprisingly I had an open calendar for that day. I accepted and we shared a tuna fish sandwich. (You do know that the fish is a symbol for Jesus, don't you? I can hear God laughing.) When she asked me if I had accepted Jesus as Lord of my life, my answer was No. When she asked why, I explained that I had made so many mistakes in my life that I knew God couldn't accept me. I was trying to become better so that then I could ask. She told me that Jesus had already made the way for me, taking on all my imperfections so that I could go to God. I realized the truth of that, invited Jesus to become my Lord and cried (of course). (Even in the telling of this story, I cried...in front of the entire church.)

Just a footnote: Diane later told me she was surprised to be inviting me to come and eat. I was surprised that I accepted. Must have been a Holy Spirit thing...

I went on to share with the church family about the time a few years later when I asked God why He made me cry when He was near me. God laughed, actually laughed, and told me that my mind was always so busy and that I was so hard headed that he used my tears to get my attention. Besides, He said, he was always with me, it was just that I didn't always recognize it.

Things I have learned from my 31 years walking with God: Everything I call mine, my life, my house, my things, my kids....all are really His, to do with as he chooses. All I need to do, is to live fully where I am and do what He asks me to do.

This is my testimony. Now we will see what God brings for the next half of my life in Him.