Angelene realized that God had brought her back to the place where she first encountered Him. \u201cThis is where I need to be right now,\u201d she reflected. \u201cThere was a sense of peace, relief, and confidence that everything is going to work out\u2014and to have the group with me. It couldn\u2019t have been better. To know that I had a church family who had my back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Angelene began working on ADRA\u2019s Warm Homes Project, she witnessed firsthand how their efforts transformed lives in the community. The experience moved her deeply, and as she poured her heart into the mission, she felt her connection with God grow stronger. Unexpectedly, Angelene felt a powerful conviction: she wanted to be baptized in Peru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At first, she tried to dismiss the idea, but the feeling only grew. Finally, she approached her pastor with her hopes. \u201cThere\u2019s a reason I\u2019m here again,\u201d she told him. \u201cIt\u2019s not just this mission trip\u2014there\u2019s something more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For her pastor, Christian Botello, this desire to be baptized came out of the blue, even though Angelene had been talking more about getting closer to God and dedicating her talents to Him. \u201cWhen she had been to Peru before she had heard God tell her, \u2018I want you to dedicate your gifts and talents to Me,\u2019\u201d said Pastor Christian. \u201cSo she heard that call, and felt that conviction. She continued to pray about it, and wrestle with it, and here she was, 8 years later, back in Peru, with that conviction and those feelings again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June in Peru is winter, and the river running beside ADRA\u2019s Chuquicahuana Camp\u2014high in the Andes\u2014was freezing cold. Despite the conditions, the ADRA Connections and ADRA Peru teams worked together to create a safe and meaningful way for Angelene to be baptized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ADRA Connections Manager, Adam Wamack, first thought when he heard about the baptism was for Angelene\u2019s safety. \u201cThree pastors and I went down to the river and researched out what we were going to do. I had everything set for her physical safety\u2014we even had spotters downriver.\u201d Adam made sure they had fires burning and dry towels available the minute she came out of the river. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However the highlight was telling everyone the night before about the upcoming baptism. \u201cIt was a great moment when we announced that she was going to be baptized,\u201d said Adam. \u201cThere was an explosion of joy and congratulations. It was a welcome party!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n A Shared Experience of Faith<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Angelene\u2019s baptism wasn\u2019t the first to take place in that icy river. Years earlier, Rosemary, the kitchen lead at ADRA\u2019s Chuquicahuana Camp, was also inspired by the compassion she witnessed through ADRA\u2019s work. Rosemary saw Jesus reflected in the selfless actions of the volunteers and decided to dedicate her life to Him. She, too, was baptized in the same river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rosemary\u2019s eight-year-old son, who had befriended the ADRA Connections group, felt a special connection to Angelene\u2019s decision. Hearing that she was going to be baptized in the same river as his mother, he wanted to give her a gift. Despite his family\u2019s limited means, he managed to buy her a pen with the word LOVE written on the side. For Angelene, this simple yet heartfelt gesture brought her story full circle. In that moment, she saw God\u2019s love reflected through the boy and felt a profound affirmation of her decision to be baptized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A New Chapter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After returning from Peru, Angelene\u2019s journey of faith continued. Before leaving for her trip, she had been exploring a pediatric program. Upon her return, she received the incredible news that she had been accepted into the program\u2014a dream God had placed on her heart years ago. Now, she is studying to work with children, trusting fully in God\u2019s guidance. \u201cMaking the decision to devote myself to God\u2014because when I started as a chiropractor, all of that was in God\u2019s hands\u2014God has always been putting things in place, and it all works out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Botello agrees, \u201cAngeline has always had a heart for service, but since she\u2019s been back, she\u2019s really honed into that even more and I think that\u2019s such a beautiful thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reflecting on her spiritual growth, Angelene shared, \u201cEven before getting to Peru, I felt this excitement to open my Bible. I just wanted to hear every word, to know what the Holy Spirit is about. I\u2019ve learned to listen to the quiet, because that\u2019s where He speaks the loudest. He\u2019s always guiding us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compassion in Action<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n ADRA Connections is a short-term service program that allows volunteers to engage directly with ADRA projects around the world. These trips require no prior experience, just a willingness to put compassion into action and make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/adra.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Angelene-Pastors-Hugging-768x1024.jpg\")
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