Lent, among Christians originally the period of prebaptismal preparation, later of public penance.Finally it became a forty-day devotional preparation for Easter traditionally based on Jesus' wilderness fast.(HarperCollins Bible Dictionary)

Our family enjoys getting newsletters from a few ABC churches.We enjoy the thoughtful notes from the pastors, the reports of the many celebrations and activities that are planned, or the photos of events that happened.In the newsletters we have received recently there has been mention of how each church is observing the Lenten season and preparing their hearts to receive the Good News on Easter Sunday.A number of churches are doing the Purpose Driven Life study.

Here in Kodaikanal, India, at The Church That Meets At Kodaikanal International School (that's the name of our church) we use this season of Lent as the early church did – as a time to hold classes for the preparation of the students who will join the church during the Easter morning worship, either by baptism or confirmation.There are 8 students in the class this year.In addition to the weekly class, the students also meet each week with a mentor to study the Bible, to pray, to share their faith journey and begin to articulate their statement of faith.

I would like to introduce you to one of those students.His name is Johnny Marak.He is in 9th grade and has attended KIS for 4 years now, living in the school dormitories.For the winter and summer vacations Johnny takes the 3-day train ride from here in the very south of India to Northeast India, to Tura, which is his home.Hmingi Marak, Johnny's mother, is a professor at the A'Chik Theological College in Tura, Megalaya, India.Rev. Krickwin Marak, Johnny's father, is the Executive Secretary (like Executive Minister) of the Garo Baptist Convention.While Johnny was home over the winter holidays there was a large celebration to mark 150 years of Christianity in the Garo tribe.The gospel was brought to the Garo Hills of Northeast India by American Baptist missionaries.It is especially meaningful to me that as Johnny prepares for his baptism, I have the privilege of being his mentor.Together we have completed a short bible study based on the gospel of Mark.We have talked about temptations, joys and struggles, and having courage and strength for the things God calls us to.Jesus' final instructions to his disciples were "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved."(Mark 16:15-16)

Johnny is looking forward to his baptism on Easter Sunday.The baptistery for our church is located just outside the entrance to the building.In this public place many will gather on Easter to join in the service or to just watch what is happening.Many of Johnny's friends in the school are not Christians and come from a wide range of faith backgrounds, including Hinduism and Islam.As Johnny obeys God's call to be baptized, he will also be preaching the message of Good News by his actions and his profession of faith.

"All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth."Col 1:6