= A baptism at the beach in the rain. Praise be to God!
I have witnessed many baptisms in my life as I have grown up in the church. I have seen baptisms that have taken place in various churches with different traditions, in baptismals, in a hot tub, in a river and now in the ocean. Today God blessed us all with water it poured from the sky.
Five young people today declared their commitment to the Lord very publicly, in the cold water of the sea, before their peers and any other onlookers that drove by. As they shared their testimonies of how God has brought them to this point, my heart was moved even as they, of course, spoke Portuguese and I could only understand a few words at a time.
We began the day as we all met at the church for a time of worship, singing and testimonies by those being baptized. As the rain began to come down harder, we all got into cars and drove to the sea. Umbrellas, coats and some bare feet, all went down to the water. Once all were wet and cold, back to the church for communion and a meal together. What better way to celebrate than food!!! A pasta lunch was plentiful and the sobremesa (dessert) was more than could be eaten. These good people love to spend time together and eat together! It is truly a beautiful thing to see this body of believers spend time together singing, eating and loving each other. I am grateful I can be used in the kitchen with the food and a camera in my hand - a universal language!?!
May you also be blessed as you witness this day with me...
A full church!
A testimony of God's grace.
Standing room only.
Para a praia na chuva (to the beach in the rain)
Quantas pessoas com menos de dois guarda-chuvas? (How many people fit under two umbrellas?)
A father (left) baptizes his son.
Another father (left) baptizes his son.
The five baptized with Pastor O.
A special blessing to all five from mom of the young girl that was baptized.
Pasta lunch.
Many desserts!!!
I am so glad to share these pictures with you because words cannot explain the joy this day has been!
Excellent Blog Ruth, and Castelo Novo is one of many small historic villages that exist around Portugal that not even us, that were born and raised in Portugal know about it! The way you wrote is a great illustration that matches the pictures...it's Portugal at is best!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful posts, Ruth! It is so good to hear of the great things happening at Massamá and to see pictures of our friends being baptized. I didn't comment on your other posts, but I'd like to say that you have captured the beauty and charm of Portugal in such a way that it makes me want to return.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
Doug