Pool Party

This morning we met Maurizio outside the piscina comunale downtown at 10:00. The rest of our team and the Italian couple that are part of our Life Group came too (Matteo & Silvia). We had gotten permission to use the small side pool, used for aqua-biking, as long as we hurried and as long as three people paid, everyone wore sandals or blue-protective booties and those that got in the water wore swimming caps - ah, pools in Italy.

At around 10:45, everyone was there and we gathered together and I spoke to the group saying that Maurizio's path toward Christ has been a long one, with lots of ups and downs, but it has led to this point, to this day where he has made a choice. Then I turned to Maurizio and asked him those important questions: do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, that he died for you and that he was raised? Do you choose to make him your Lord? Maurizio said, "si". Then I had the great pleasure of baptizing him.

There was lots of cheering and hugging, laughter and tears. It was a great moment. We stayed at the pool for a while - Maurizio loves the water and asked if we could just stay for a while. The kids got in with me and everyone else pulled up a chair and talked.

Around noon we met up at our facility where we sang, laid hands on Maurizio, watched his video and then ate together. It was neat to see all 18 of us together from both Life Groups. While we ate together, we shared the Lord's Supper - Maurizio's first after having given his life to Christ.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers - please keep them going for him as he and I continue this discipleship process - that he would continue to learn, begin to minister and always be transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ.