Somehow, the cost of following Christ seems higher when you decide you want to be baptized in the 40 degree wild waters of the Pacifico Ocean in the middle of winter. This last Sunday, five of our family members were baptized and we were able to celebrate this time together as a family, as a team and as a church.

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On the beach.

Mark and Saul giving a demonstration of how the baptisms were going to be done.

And now...for the baptisms!

Gabriel or ¨Gabo¨as we call him, briefly told us his testimony and his desire to now publicly express his decision to follow Christ.

Gabo being baptized.

After each person was baptized, someone was waiting to receive them with a towel and pray for them.

Excitedly watching!

Saul was taxi-ing one night when he picked up Shaun and Amanda to take them home. As they started up a conversation, Amanda and Shaun invited him to our church. Two weeks later, Saul came. For the last several months, Saul has been a part of our church body, and this last week, he shared with us that he had given his life to the Lord back in 2007 and that he was making a public display of his decision to follow Christ.

Saul´s baptism

Prayer.

Gustavo was hit by a car earlier this year and the impact damaged his jaw and caused him to loose many of his teeth. He has given his life to Christ, and he sets the example of following Christ for his two siblings and mom. Oh, one thing I didn´t mention: Gustavo is only 11.

Praying for Gustavo.

Raquel is from the jungle. She lives about an hour away and travels by herself to be with us weekly. She is 19. She works in a purse manufacturing factory in Lima.

Going to be baptized!

Praying for Raquel.

Nichole is 8 years old. She is able to clearly hear the voice of God. He speaks to her in dreams, through his word and through daily life. Pray that she continues to grow in her profetic gift as she follows Him and is an example to her brothers and parents of how to follow Christ.

 Nichole sat in my lap for a while before she went into the cold water. It was a special moment for me as she just sat there and clung to me. 

The baptizees!

Congratulations to Saul, Nichole, Raquel, Gustavo and Gabo! 

Sunday was such a special day for all of us, not only for those who were baptized, but for those of us who got to celebrate. Please pray for their continual growth, and that God would protect them against discouragement and give them strength to follow Him.