Monday, November 3, 2014

Baptism

      We had a baptismal service yesterday after church. Church members came by foot, by car and by motorcycle. They gathered at the beach behind our guesthouse property to pray, sing and bear witness to these holy moments. The baptismal candidates, many of whom were from a local orphanage with an extensive history with MOHI, came outfitted in white.
     After individual prayer and guidance, the candidates were immersed. In pairs they rose up out of the water, smiles radiant. As they broke through the surface, droplets of water glistened in the sun and I stood in awe at the new life happening in front of me. Waves threatened to knock one girl down, until she was steadied by one of the baptizing pastors who also acts as a father figure in her life. When they returned to shore, the newly baptized were welcomed with towels and smiles into the arms of their church community.  Baptisms always make me cry, but this one was particularly beautiful.

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