After being born twice, I greatly enjoyed my childhood, riding my bicycle all over town, and some mornings, climbing the mountain close to me. With my friends, we had great times playing and having child adventures in Sucre, Bolivia.
One milestone life-changer that I had as a child was my desire to not just be born twice but also to publicly declare my commitment to being a full-fledged follower of Jesus. I learned that one can publicly proclaim their decision to die to oneself by figuratively being dipped underwater, and as you come out, it illustrates being resurrected to a new life, putting the old carnal self aside.
Since I was 5 or 6 years old, I had an intense desire to make this public commitment. I was God’s gift, after all, and convinced that I wanted to follow His ways and not mine.
I began to ask my Dad to let me take this great step. The problem was that, in the context we lived in, children had to be at least 12 years of age to take this step and were barely halfway there. This could cause a problem for my parents, so I continually asked over and over my parents for permission to take this life-changing step.
Finally, as the saying goes, insistence and perseverance give results. My Dad decided to let me take this great step, but not in Sucre. Rather, outside the city in a river called Rio Chico, together with other locals from that area.
The day arrived, and with great anticipation, I awaited the moment I would enter the waters. Yet, something else occurred. Nobody else appeared for this time at Rio Chico. I was the only one present to make this big step. So, surrounded by believers to witness, I entered the cold waters of Rio Chico and remember to this day coming out of this water to the song of “Consagrado… Heme aquí… Señor… All to Jesus, I surrender, All to Him, I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. Jesus…”
As I dried myself off with the towel, I knew without a doubt that I was called to follow and obey and do as Jesus said, without hesitation or doubting along the way.
This was a great day in my childhood life, and one I will never forget.