Women's Day

This week we had a bit of a crazy time with baptisms. We've been holding our baptisms at the pool where our American member lives. Brother Willis works for the American Embassy. It's a very nice place and they have been very accommodating to us. The first week it was sparkling and beautiful. By the next time they told us that the pump wasn't working. but they would empty and refill it. When we arrived it was pretty green. They told us that they would be getting the pump fixed, but knowing how things go in Africa, we decided on Saturday to go and take a look for ourselves. There was NO water in the pool. They had drained it and told us that they wouldn't be filling it until they get a new pump from Nairobi. Who knows when that will be. It was interesting that they didn't think we would need to know that ahead of time, but then TIA! Rule #1 applies.

So, we frantically started making calls to find another place to do our baptisms. We knew that we would have some disappointed missionaries and baptismal candidates if we had to postpone the service. We even checked out the lake again. We were about to give up when we got a call saying that the hotel where the men stayed in Aug. had been known to allow baptisms in their pool. It was going to work out after all.

So, on Sunday we had a wonderful Sacrament meeting with 80 people in attendance. Since our membership is only about 35, that's quite remarkable. It was testimony meeting and probably more than half of the people who bore their testimonies were people who desire baptism and bore witness of the truths of the gospel, but have not yet been baptized. Most of the others who spoke have been members of the church for less than two months. They bore sweet, powerful testimonies of the truth of the gospel, God's love and blessing to them in finding the true church, their love for the Book of Mormon and their support for the prophet. It is quite a humbling and remarkable experience to witness such a testimony meeting.

Then we went to the Source du Nil Hotel for the baptisms. As we drove there we saw members walking along the streets in small groups, looking quite conspicuous in their white shirts and ties.

We found a private little place in the shade to hold our meeting. It was very touching to stand in a circle and sing and talk with these good saints.

The pool was very nice and very public! We had to pay the customary swimming fee of $3.00 per person who got in the pool. They assured us that they would ask the people in the pool to move to the other end when we were doing the baptisms. It turned out that when were started everybody just spontaneously stopped swimming and we had a group of about 20 swimmers hanging on the edge of the pool watching every baptism. They were quiet and respectful, so it was unusual, but OK.

We had 11 baptisms. There were four new young adult age members. It's so encouraging to see these strong young leaders of the future coming into the church.

Then we had a beautiful young mother baptized. She is the wife of a member. He joined the church when living in Kenya. We are so happy whenever a family is united in the church.

The other six baptisms were all members of Brother Johnson's family. He was baptized a month ago. He is a pastor who left his ministry to join the church. Sunday he baptized all the other members of his family who were old enough to be baptized. What a great day it was to see two families united in the church. They will be strong additions to our little group.

In the church in Africa we have about eight times as many men as women join the church. The men join without their families and then, maybe, after some time in the church, they invite their families to join them. So, it was exciting that this baptismal day was WOMEN'S DAY. This wonderful group of 7 women of all ages were baptized.( You may notice that hair is not an indicator as to whether you are male or female. African women bemoan the fact that they don't have much hair and use wigs and extensions to improve their natural hair.) There was a lot of hugging and sisterly giggling as they shared this special moment together.

Here are all 11 people who were baptized this week. We are beginning to feel like we are ready to move to the next step and have a real branch where all these good people can serve in callings and enjoy the full programs of the church. It's a great time in Bujumbura.