Baptism in Namasigue
I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve as a translator for the Conroe group which is working at the “comedor”, or food ministry, in Namasigue. The group is running a VBS with the kids there and also working on constructing a wall around the entire compound, which includes the kitchens, church, preacher’s house, and courtyard. Small groups have also been going out each day evangelize by bringing food to some of the poorer families of the community. This is a great way to reach out to people as well as strengthen those that are already members of the church. It is a very incredible experience to go into someone’s house and spend time together with them praying, singing and studying the word. It is a very different experience than anything I have encountered while in the states.
At one house we went to there was a girl named Belinda, who is 17 years old and is also about 6 months pregnant with her first child. She has been studying with some of the local evangelists (who are only about 16 or 17 years old). She made the decision on Sunday that she wanted to be baptized. When we arrived at her house we learned of that news and celebrated her decision with scripture and prayer.
We left to go pick up a few more people at the comedor, before returning to get her. The evangelist asked me if I could do the baptism. My first thought was “What, ME?!” I of course was incredibly honored for the opportunity and said of course I would! I was so excited to be able to do that, and was also quite nervous! I had never done a baptism before, and my mind was running at a million miles a minute trying to figure out what I would say. I never imagined that they would have asked me to perform it.
Even though I had nothing to do with her making the decision to be baptized, being able to perform the baptism was a huge honor. We headed down to a river and after much searching for a spot that was deep enough we entered the water. Arnold, one of the evangelists, read a scripture and then I roughly worded a few sentences and asked her if she truly believed Jesus died for our sins, and was the savior of our sins. She responded with yes and then several sentences just giving thanks to God and then was baptized. When she came back up she was incredible overjoyed, we all gave hugs, sang and prayed. It was a great moment and I just feel incredibly honored to have had the privilege. The song “Oh Brothers Lets Go Down” was playing in my head the whole time. There simply are not words which are sufficient to describe the miracle it is to see a new soul commit their lives to Christ.
God has truly blessed the work in Namasigue and the presence of the comedor there is really strengthening the church and community. The evangelists are regularly holding studies with people in the community and many are joining the church and committing themselves to Christ each week. There is still much work to be done there and many people in need of Christ.
Please keep the work in Namasigue in your prayers and God Bless,
Jake
