We don't know where to start about this day......We shared with some of you before we left that God had revealed to us that we would have the opportunity to baptize someone in the river while we were in Costa Rica.
We were elated when we heard that the two teenagers we have know since our first trip had decided to make this commitment! The funny thing is that the seed for them was planted during VBS when we were teaching the younger kids what baptism was. They were leaders in our VBS and I thought I was speaking to the kids but all along their hearts were open and hearing. This was confirmation that we did in fact hear the Lord before we left. We had plans to go to the nearby lake and this was an answer to prayer.
BUT..............
As usual, God's plans are bigger and better than we could ever think or imagine. We went to the lake with a few families and after the kids frolicked in the water, we gathered for a lakeside teaching on baptism and what it meant for these two teenagers to publicly declare themselves as disciples of Jesus. As the teaching was going on, you could sense the Spirit moving and see the contemplation on the faces of many present. Before baptizing the two teens, Ted and Gracie asked if there were any others who would like to be baptized. Two or three raised their hands and the excitement grew in our hearts.
The sky was cloudy but the water was warm as the first girl was baptized, then the rest followed. Suddenly, the dad of the teen boy to be baptized came forward and made his decision. He was not one we necessarily expected at all. LITERALLY, as Ted and Larry lifted this Dad out of the water, the clouds separated and a strong beam of sunlight came through and shone only on the top of his head!!!!! It was like watching the bible in video!!! After this man came up, he then had the privilege of baptizing both of his sons!!!
There are no words to describe the atmosphere, feelings, or situation that we were part of. It would seem that you could never top this but God is only just beginning! So, by the end of the service, 8 people were baptized, about 6 families were forever changed, and many many more had seeds planted. "Some will sow, some will toil, some will reap the harvest".... I feel that we were part of all of these this week.
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| Gaylor and Angie- 14 year-olds who chose to be baptized, hearing the word of God and deep in prayer prior to their demonstration of faith. |
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Missionary Graciela Quiocho and Melody Beckwith Babb
who shared the passage about running the race and never giving up! |
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| Missionary Ted Quiocho and Larry Ziner baptizing 14 year-old Angie in Rio Frio |
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| Ted and Larry baptizing Edwin (father of Gaylor) . He didn't plan on this but was the most remarkable demonstration when the skies opened over his head as he came up!! |
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| Gaylor being baptized by Ted and Larry with his Dad now supporting his back!! |
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| Larry and Ted with the 8 people who were baptized. The heavens were rejoicing! |
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| This is what a formerly traumatized boy with a tough tough life, looks like, after the spirit of God falls on him and his Dad. Really, no caption is needed for this one!!! This picture says it all. |
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| The joy after the service |
