Julio Gets Baptized!!!

Julio showing off his tattoo.  He's kind of proud of it.

I'm writing this blog today because I don't know what else to do.  Yesterday was an amazing day here.  If you have been keeping up with me, you might remember my mentioning Julio.  I first met Julio in November when I visited him in prison.  He is a good friend of John and his family who was wrongfully accused of multiple crimes claiming that he was extensively involved in the drug cartels.

Julio spend five months in prison waiting to prove himself innocent, during which John would go at least twice a week to visit him.  It was in prison that Julio really found Christ and purpose and meaning to his life.  He was released earlier this spring after he basically represented himself and the judge found him innocent of all charges.

I just want to take a minute to say what a testament this is to God because Julio had some crazy odds stacked up against him.  The crimes he was accused of committing carried a collective 35 year sentence.  The case should have taken over two years to be processed.  Julio received little to no help in representing himself and he hand wrote well over a hundred pages explaining and defending his case.  Julio also has had no training in law.  On top of all that, the judge appointed to his case has not issued an innocent verdict in over 4 years!

But God is bigger than any odds.  Julio's case was processed in just four and a half months.  The judge issued the first innocent verdict in Puebla in four years.  God redeemed and is continually renewing Julio's heart.  He has a passion for the Lord that I have never seen before and I am so proud of him.  I've gotten to spend a lot of time with Julio lately.  He shared his testimony with me Saturday night as we cooked him supper at our apartment.  He told us of John's amazing impact on his life and how much he has learned because of God's work through John.  I am so thankful for this team as well as for Julio's heart.  He calls me his sister and I call him my brother.  His home is mine and I consider myself lucky to be considered so.

So it was with a heart full of joy and eyes full of tears that our team was able to watch John baptize him yesterday.  It was a great occasion with friends and family.  Julio is the first in the Rebolledo family to be baptized as an adult.  Julio's family taking part was a big deal and another testament to God working in their hearts- he comes from a Catholic background and as he explained it to me, since he was already baptized in the Catholic church as an infant, they considered it bad luck to do it again, and were not in support of his decision. But Julio wanted to publicly declare the inward change that has happened to him in the past year, especially with his parents in attendance.  And wouldn't you know the Lord provided!

Happy Baptism!! Julio, Hudson, Marnie's back, and JT sitting by the pool waiting for the big day to begin!

I'm so excited to see where Julio is going in the future.  I imagine when God looks down and sees Julio with his kid-like personality and huge smile, He can't help but to also smile and say, "This is my son, with whom I am well-pleased."  

The Squad
Yost, Joe, John, me, Jessi, Julio, Marnie and Mandi
at a friend's house where Julio was baptized

John and Julio

Family and friends gathered as we start the baptism.

Apparently the water was a little chilly.

John asking Julio to tell the witnesses why he wanted to be baptized.

Here's a rough video of the experience.  I love the cheers at the end.  

PS I'm definitely not a film person.  Sorry for the shaky hand.

As I sit here and think of how cool God is showing up and out in Julio's life I'm smiling because I know work will be done for the Kingdom through Julio.  In fact, I would ask for you to pray for just that.  Julio and Joe, another STINTer down here who I also call my brother, are leaving this Friday for the Dominican Republic for a tour with Athletes In Action- Baseball.  They will be there for about a month, playing about 20 baseball games against local teams, using baseball as a platform to share the gospel.  I would ask for your prayers for God to advance the word, using this team of baseball players, for their safe travel, as well as for the hearts of those involved with the team.  I'm so thankful for God, and that's such a small voice of praise, but I am.  I am nothing without Him and I just wanted to tell Him that.  

Thanks for the prayers for Julio, Joe and the team.  I'll keep you updated!