● Baptized by water on the next day of 2005 Fukuoka earthquake

Praising with her twin sister (left is the writer)

　 In the Carithmatic holy meeting which was held in May last year, I admitted my sin and was saved. I was baptized by water on 21 March in the Iizuka Carithmatic holy meeting which was held on the next day of 2005 Fukuoka earthquake. I have encountered with my church, The Light of Eternal Agape 11 years ago.

　I used to live in Kodaira city, Tokyo at that time. One day, my elder sister, who is now a pastor in the church in Tottori prefecture, came to visit me. She invited me to the church worship service while she stayed in my room for several days. Although I was not yet a Christian, I decided to go, because I did not have any objection in my mind. I attended a Sunday worship service held at a Kokubunji station building.

　For 10 years from that day until the time I was saved, many people including my elder sister had been praying and thanksgiving for me. I give my thanks to all of them.

● It is because I wanted to give thanks

　 The first reason why I believed was that I wanted to give thanks. I thank my parents for everything they have done to me, of course. But there are a lot of wonderful things which is over the power of human beings and parents happening to me. 'Whom can I give thanks of all those things to?', I had been always looking for the one to give thanks to.

　On a day in May, I was invited to the Iizuka Carithmatic holy meeting by my younger sister who was water baptized before me. I attended the meeting without even knowing the meaning of Carithmatic holy meeting and I was saved without being mentally ready. The start of my new life was like, 'Is it ok to receive it so easily?'. It was so easy that I didn't really feel that I was saved.

　There are prayer, praising, thanksgiving and so on as Lord's teaching and learning. However, I put thanksgiving in the center of my Christian living, because of the said reason.

● I was protected from Sumatra earthquake 2004

　I had a chance to visit Thailand in December last year, and we planned to go to the beaches in Thailand around Christmas time. I suggested visiting Phuket, which is the world best resort area, especially Koh Phi Phi, which was made famous by a movie.

福岡西方沖大地震の翌日に洗礼を受ける著者

But the destination was already set. It was a small island which was the far most from Koh Phi Phi among all the islands in the same bay. I was disappointed to know that. However, I thanked for it. There was a possibility that I could change the destination to Koh Phi Phi, but I thanked immediately, by obedience to the Lord's teaching. At almost exactly the same time when the Tsunami occurred, I was on a small island in the same bay of Koh Phi Phi

● Two choices

　I had two choices on that day. One was to be on the beach of Koh Phi Phi, chosen by my selfishness and without thanksgiving to the Lord. The other is to be on the beach of a small island, to which I was led by the Lord. What happened if I chose my selfish way…?

　I could not sleep for a few days after Tsunami occurred. When the next day came and woke up, I imagined that I might have never being able to open my eyes like that. I could not help giving thanks to the Lord, who protected me with His mighty power. I and other church members prayed for me before leaving Japan, of course. The Lord took our prayers.

　I always remember the moment after my water baptism, when my pastor said with a big smile, 'I used to pray for you and your twin sisters' salvation with your elder sister'. I will continue to give thanks to the Lord, who has been protecting me for 10 years since I was touched by the Lord.

Morihara Keiko, Iizuka city, Fukuoka Prefecture

-Quoted from"Mikoe Shinbun" No.310 -

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