At some point in the last few months, two teen girls walked through the doors of our English class for the first time. Everything about that step took courage. While it was not a new language to learn, having a native English speaker doing the teaching is like starting all over again in many ways. Teachers all teach in different ways for sure; but add in the cultural differences as well to sort out takes time. Maybe there were unfamiliar faces. In any instance, however, any different situation can make even the most confident person feel uncertain. Yet they came anyway—curious, hopeful, and willing to try.
At first, their journey was about learning words and practicing conversation. Week by week they returned, slowly growing more comfortable. Smiles came more easily. What once felt unfamiliar began to feel like a place where they belonged.
But something else began to happen along the way.
Then the girls began to come to church on Sunday. Their friends invited them to join them. That took even more courage. Maybe curiosity too.
Gratefully Pastor Ravy’s daughter came to their rescue that first Sunday in those moments before the service started to open the bible and teach them a bit about the book, and how it is used during the church service. At first they sat quietly, listening. The rhythms of worship, the songs, the prayers, and the message were new experiences. Still, they kept coming back.
Curiosity turned into interest, and interest slowly became something deeper.
Soon they began attending the Sunday dual-language Sunday school confirmation class as well. In that class they watched and listened carefully, and learned about the story of God’s love—about creation, grace, forgiveness, and the life of Jesus. Faith was no longer just something they observed; it was something they began to explore personally.
Over time, what began as a step toward learning English became a journey toward discovering faith.
Now they have come forward with a simple and beautiful request: they want to be baptized.
Baptism is a sign of God’s love and welcome. It is a moment when the church celebrates that no matter where we begin—no matter our language, background, or story—God invites us into a new life of faith and community.
Their journey reminds us that God often works in quiet and unexpected ways. A class becomes a community. Curiosity becomes faith. Strangers become family.
And today, we celebrate that journey.
2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we live by faith, not by sight.”