This weekend was easily one of my favorite weekends of ministry so far in Bolivia.
First, Saturday was, on the Bolivian calendar, the "Día del Niño," which is an important holiday to Bolivians. (Actually, all holidays are important to Bolivians...) As many of you will remember, we have our kids ministry every Saturday, so the church decided to do a special kids program in the church, as opposed to the house of some of the church members. I was a little cautious when I saw how "enthusiastic" the older church members got when we were talking about the special program simply because they are, a lot of the time, all talk and little action. But I delegated the responsibility of providing refreshments to the older members and let them put their food where there mouth is. I was pleased to see that, although very last-minute, they came through and did a good job.
Anyway, the program was great and we had over 100 kids show up!
A couple of the youth even dressed up like clowns and did a funny little skit for the kids. I was so pleased with my youth and with the other members of the church, and I know the kids LOVED the program.
The highlight of the weekend, however, was the baptism of 7 of my youth!! Pastor Juan, the director of our Bible institute in Santa Cruz ,who has put so much time and effort into encouraging our church body over the years, came out to Roboré to be a part of the Día del Niño festivities as well as the baptize the youth in my group. On Saturday night Pastor Juan talked about what baptism and made sure the youth understood what exactly they were going to do. Then on Sunday morning we hiked up to a spot in the river deep enough to actually submerge someone and held our baptismal service on the bank of the river. It was beautiful.
Then Pastor Juan, with the help of myself, baptized 7 young people. Here are the candidates before they were baptized. (From left to right, starting with the boys - Pito, Toñín, Brian, Miki; and the girls - Yolanda, Luzgardi, and Damaris)
Each youth gave a short testimony of why they accepted Christ and why they were choosing the be baptized. Here is Toñín giving his testimony.
I was so blessed to be a part of such a huge step in the lives of these youth. I have spent so much time with them and love them all so deeply that it was almost as if I was baptizing my own children. I will hold this memory in my heart for a long, long time. Praise God for such a blessing.
(The first pic of the newly baptized youth!!)
Pray for each youth as we will be talking about spiritual gifts and the different ministries of the church, that God will reveal to each of them how God has chosen them to serve Him and bring honor to His name.
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