Freddy, our pastor friend at the small Baptist church in Yapacani, asked Jake to assist him at Cecilia’s baptism. He was honoured – and I was jealous.
We do not take any credit for Cecilia’s faith. Maybe we prepared the soil; maybe we planted the seed. We hope that by living side by side with these people we have created an atmosphere of love and trust. There are so many facets to this story that it would make a book – and maybe someday it will.
Saturday evening we attended a wedding. Our little fri
end Samuel, Erselia and Filipe’s son, drew up a chair between us to tell us that he would be baptised the next day. We celebrated with tears and hugs. He was very glad that Jake would be there and wanted my assurance that I would take pictures and that he would get a picture of him with us. His enthusiasm was contagious. Imagine our surprise when Carmen Rose, Mario and Cecilia’s daughter, came to tell us that she would also be baptised the next day – along with her mom and dad. Nine people would be baptised the next day and four of them were from Patujusal. Sunday morning the whole congregation headed down to the river in two half ton trucks and one large grain truck. The day was very warm but a breeze was blowing so it was comfortable.
Coming from the background of infant baptism, this celebration of adult baptism could have been uncomfortable but we were very at ease. First, the nine people who were to be baptised changed into white robes. Then Jake was asked to say a few words about
the meaning of baptism. Each person was led into the water while the congregation sang “I have decided to follow Jesus”. The confessions were made, the person was immersed, and then the congregation sang “The world behind me, the cross before me. No turning back, no turning back.” Everything was very moving. The special glances sent my way while the confessions were said made my heart sing. God answers prayers in his own way and in his own time. Could we have ever asked for something as profound as this as an answer to prayer?
4 comments:
Jake and Marg..We give thanks with you for this huge BLESSING from the Lord. We know "missionaries" who work and witness and translate and never see fruit on their labor in their lifetime. But we also know God is in control and he will and does change peoples hearts and lives. I'm so glad you got to see this baptism and so be encouraged in the work that you do. Blessings to you...Ray and Eleanor Merkus
God likes to do things in His own time, for His glory!
Thanks for sharing. We need these kind of God Moments to help us know why we are where we are. Love the pictures. This is to let you know that your blog is appreciated and read (at least by me).
Rraise the Lord, now and always!!
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