Six New Young Members

Every other week we have baptisms in the group. The numbers are rising each week.

The First week we had the 3 baptisms.

The Second week we had 4 baptisms.

The Third week we had 6 baptisms.

The story of each person is unique and special. The group baptized this week is no exception.

Some months before we came to Bujumbura a referral from a young women, named Appolonie, who attends BYU Hawaii was passed on to us. She had been baptized and wanted very much to have the gospel taken to her family in Burundi. For a long time she had cared for her nieces and nephews , who were orphaned. In the end, she was unable to continue and had to put them in orphanages in Burundi so that she could pursue her education. She loves them dearly and supports them, spiritually, emotionally and temporally. Her great desire was to have family in the church with her.

The nieces and nephews. The girls with Mamma Veronique Malabi.

We wrote to her and told her that the church was not yet in Burundi, but it wouldn't be long before it would be taken there. She was thrilled to know that the time was coming when her family could have the blessings of the gospel. We corresponded a few times and encouraged her to be patient. She wrote and talked to her family preparing them to hear the gospel. She also made a separate connection with the Frogleys.

When we arrived in Burundi Appolonie encouraged her family to come to our meetings and they did. Among this week's new members were the three nieces and a nephew of Appolonie. There was great rejoicing on both sides of the world last Sunday as they were baptized. They are beautiful, sweet young men and women and we're so thrilled to have them in our midst.

Two other young men were baptized as well. These youth and young adults will form a great base for the growth of the church here and will be strong leaders in the future.

New members with the Elders who taught them.

We see the young adults as the great strength and hope of the chruch and the continent of Africa. These new young converts and the wonderful returned missionaries have the shoulders on which the church will rest.