A happy picture indeed, a family united in Christ. But Grandpa Tony’s baptism was not brought about by ordinary means. Like so many conversions, it took the miraculous hand of God

A happy picture indeed, a family united in Christ. But Grandpa Tony’s baptism was not brought about by ordinary means. Like so many conversions, it took the miraculous hand of God in response to the faithful prayers of the East Region to bear this fruit.

Grandpa Tony’s conversion began years ago when granddaughter, Denise, met the church on the Fullerton campus in Orange County, California. Immediately Denise went after her family with much love and fervor, but it would not be easy. They were a tough crowd.

Grandpa Tony had raised a very religious family. Grandpa had taught Catechism for sixteen years and insisted that the entire family attend Mass every morning, say rosary every night and never miss confession on Fridays. His home brimmed with statues, an altar, candles and the like.

But God had his own plan for Grandpa Tony’s family. One by one they surrendered to the mighty Word of God, laying all their religious traditions aside, to become disciples –members of the body of Christ.

Although the conversion of Denise’s mother Esther, Aunt Gloria and Denise’s father, Mark Sr., were remarkable and joy-filled, everyone grew more and more anxious about Grandpa Tony as he was nearing 90 years old. Though many studies had moved him to dispose of the statues and other icons, he was still apprehensive about leaving his denomination completely. You see at 89, he was still serving as an altar boy at General Hospital, as he had done since he was 17 years old! Ah yes, Grandpa Tony would be a tough one.

The family decided to really focus on praying for Grandpa’s conversion. They even called Mark Jr. who lives in San Diego to ask him to join in fasting and praying for Grandpa. To their surprise Mark Jr. said, “Oh my gosh, Grandpa’s been on my heart. I have been praying for him to get baptized.”

Well not long after, God’s mercy poured out on this family in a dramatic way. One morning in May, 2008, Grandpa’s wife could not wake him. She called 911. Grandpa was rushed to the hospital and remained there in a coma for 4 days. He was diagnosed with urosepsis and acute renal failure. The doctor asked his daughter, Esther, if the family would agree to make him a “DO NOT RESUCITATE”. Esther explained to the kind doctor that Grandpa had not been baptized and asked that they please do everything they could to bring him back.

The doctor looked stunned and said, “I understand. I totally understand. We’ll do everything we can.”

Denise asked the Whittier Ministry to fast and pray for her Grandpa’s recovery. More loved poured out the following Sunday when the entire East Region offered to join in the prayers for Grandpa’s recovery.

Two weeks later the East Region was elated to learn that Grandpa Tony’s recovery was so complete that the doctor threw his hands up in disbelief and said, “Your recovery is like a miracle!”

When Grandpa was well enough to leave the hospital everyone agreed that it would be safer if Grandpa Tony and his wife of 15 years moved in with Mark Sr., Esther and Denise until he was back to walking as far as he used to.

Weeks later on June 13, 2008, Grandpa Tony celebrated his 90th birthday. It was “Friday the 13^th,” but for Tony it was the luckiest birthday of his life. Looking back on his life, he had survived The Battle of the Bulge, more recently a life threatening illness, but things were looking up. Now he was surrounded by loving family and friends that spent every extra minute studying the Bible with him.

After each study Grandpa would reveal issues that had kept him from getting baptized. Each issue would be the basis for the next day’s Bible study. God was opening his heart. Mark Sr., who loves history, spent hours pouring over books about the people and places in the Bible, trying to virtually place Grandpa in the very land where it all began over 2000 years ago. Over time, however, the Bible studies became more structured, as Mark and Rajiv took over. Mark’s loving knowledge and Rajiv’s disarming humility and wisdom claimed victory over 90 years of man made traditions. To everyone’s complete happiness Grandpa Tony was baptized June 22, 2008.

After his baptism Grandpa asked, “Now what?” In response, he received personalized invitations, which he carries with him to every doctor and therapy appointment.

In July the doctor decided to schedule Grandpa for surgery to ensure he would not have recurrent episodes of urosepsis. During the surgery, they accidentally broke his hip. Grandpa had worked so hard to get back up to walking 1 to 2 miles a day and now he could not walk more than a couple of feet. While it was a disappointment to learn they would not be moving back home, the church could continue studying with Grandpa’s wife.

Its August now and Grandpa’s time is spent going to doctors appointment and walking around the yard under the watchful eye of his wife, who loves to putter in the garden. Never far away are his three new daytime companions, our dogs – Jordan, Minnie and Lulu. Wherever Grandpa sits, they lay nearby guarding him with a watchful eye on the hills where the coyotes roam. His wife is now in ongoing Bible studies with absolutely wonderful sisters from Whittier Sector, the East Region and the Latin Ministries – Olga Moreno-Tapia, Blanca Ortiz , Tina Lopez, Maria Cordova, Margie and Lupe Ramirez have lovingly shared their hearts several days and nights.

I asked Grandpa Tony how he thought his wife was doing in her studies. He replied, “She’s gonna be a tough one”

Hmmmmm, now where have I heard that before?