Dec 11, 2024 A Second Chance

On our most recent mission trip to the Dominican Republic, we witnessed two amazing women commit their lives to Christ.

The morning was sunny and warm as the streets of Vallejuelo began to bustle with life. Just outside the Jorgillo Church, a bend in the road leads to the heart of the town, and it was around this bend that we first noticed Rosa. An older woman carefully walked toward the church, wearing a bright blue blouse and using a walking stick.

She struggled to step from the cement onto the dirt path, but a young girl rushed to help her, offering her arm for support.

Rosa’s journey to the church had been a long physical and spiritual journey. At 73 years old, she had previously been a member of the church for nine years before leaving due to struggles in her marriage. “My late husband was two different people,” she explained. “One in the church and another at home with me. I chose to ignore his behavior and told him, ‘Go, do what you want; I want to follow Christ.'” After his passing, Rosa made the courageous decision to publicly declare her faith.

Standing in front of the congregation that day, she shared her testimony: “Jesus means everything to me, everything. Today is a happy day for me.”

Her declaration echoed the words of Romans 10:9: “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

It was a moment of great significance—Rosa had come full circle in her spiritual journey and reaffirmed her commitment to follow Christ wholeheartedly.

Meanwhile, another powerful story was unfolding a few villages away. Maria, a 55-year-old woman who had struggled with severe illness, had come to a life-changing conclusion: she wanted to commit the rest of her life to Jesus.

Maria’s decision to get baptized that day was not one made lightly. She recounted the life-altering experience of having a heart attack a few years ago, during which she had died and was brought back to life. “I came back to life,” she explained. “And through these Bible studies, I now know it was because Jesus wasn’t done with me yet.” It was as if the Lord had given her a second chance at life—and she was determined to make it count.

“I am very sick, and I don’t know how much time I have left,” she shared. “So, I want to dedicate the rest of my life to Jesus.” But her story didn’t end there. Maria, who had been through immense physical suffering, shared that she was choosing to marry Jesus. “I’m not married, so I have decided to marry Jesus. Dating Jesus is the best thing I’ve ever done,” she said with a beaming smile.

Rosa and Maria remind us that it’s never too late to come to Christ, and no matter our age, health, or circumstances, we can always make a fresh start and commit ourselves fully to Him.

Stories like theirs inspire us to continue our mission, reach those in need, and share Christ’s love wherever we go. We carry the joy of knowing we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves.