Joy Three Times

revs. Okine espinoza and thompson with nar katuwal and children salina and sahil

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16).

This power of the gospel continues to work in our time all over the world, including our own neighborhood here in St. Louis.

Sunday, March 13th was another day of joy at Messiah Lutheran Church. A family of three was baptized—Nar Katuwal (mother), Sahil Chimriya (son), and Salina Chimriya (daughter). Sahil and Salina have been attending the home Bible studies, the Nepali Fellowship/Worship, the CFNA After School Tutoring program, and church regularly. They had been asking to be baptized for over a year. Their mother, who was Hindu, came occasionally to the Bible study. She was not interested in being baptized; but she was not opposed to the children being baptized. She came for their traditional three days of prayer/mourning led by Pastor Mike Okine when a family member of theirs was shot and killed in Chicago.

We fixed a date in February for the baptism. A week or so before the baptism, she said she would like to be baptized as well. Her children had very much encouraged her to do this. So we pushed the date back to March. Pastor Sam Thompson met with her a few times for instruction when it was possible. Her schedule at the Marriot Hotel (Airport) changed quite a bit. Pastor Sam and Pastor Mike met with them for nearly three hours on Saturday, March 12th. The baptism took place the following day.

There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. Now there is joy three times over in heaven! To God alone be the glory!

Pastor Mike Okine Messiah Lutheran Church