‘This was the thing she wanted most’
So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him … Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”
— Acts 8:30-31; 35-36, New International Version
RECIFE, Brazil— Tatiana, age 30, came to visit us with her Christian friend Rose. She had been reading the Bible for some time and was very hungry to understand better the Word of God.
She reminded me so much of the Ethiopian eunuch from Acts 8, reading the prophet Isaiah. She asked if someone could study with her.
Her time was very limited, as she is a single mom and works afternoons and nights at a university nearby. Thankfully, we were able to find some time during the week, and our studies began. She had many questions and a very willing heart. I was happy to be of help in her search for Christ.
Tatiana was brought to tears following her baptism. (PHOTO VIA WWW.REDEEMINGRECIFE.ORG)
On the day of her baptism, something interesting happened. Usually, after someone is baptized, they emerge from the water, and then they leave the baptistery to hug their family and friends. Tatiana didn’t do that — at least not right away.
She stayed in the water for some time, crying. It was such a beautiful scene to see this young lady shedding tears of joy. She told me that this was the thing she wanted most in her life.
She has many struggles and battles to fight. She needs encouragement and prayers to continue on her journey.
Aureni Pruitt and her husband, Mike, have served as missionaries in northeastern Brazil for three decades. They focus on helping churches develop mature leadership. They have three sons — Joshua, Justin and Jonathan — all born in Brazil. Joshua Pruitt and his wife, Lívia, serve as part of the Recife mission team. Learn more at www.redeemingrecife.org.
