How did I do that?!

Arriving at "el campo" this morning for our church service, I realized that I had left our camera at home.  How did I do that?  I knew that it would be a special day and I forgot it?!  Oh well, words will have to suffice since there are no photos to document the day.

About once a quarter or so, our church has a special day of worship.  Last July 4, we went to Escuintla to a water park for worship, baptism, and fellowship.  About four months ago, another one was held at the campground a little ways out of Chimaltenango.  (We were unable to attend.)  We had been anticipating attendance today.  Again this service was held at the camp area.  We arrived as the service was beginning.

One of the young boys encouraged us to sit in the chairs.  Later, Pastor Victoriano was encouraging others to sit in the remaining chairs - those who were pregnant and the elderly.  haha.  After a time of praise and worship in song, prayer, and reading of the Word, we were divided into groups - married/older men, married/older women, single young adult men, single young adult women, teenagers, children.  It was a good study time as the men studied the importance of men before God, with his wife, and in his home; and the women studied the importance of women and dispeling the lies that Satan casts upon women and the freedom found in Christ. 

A small cement pool had been half way filled for the baptism of three new believers.  The water had been added one bucket at a time from the nearby well and had not been greatly warmed by the sun.  But what a sweet joy to watch as two women and a young man displayed their passing from death in sin to life in Christ through salvation.  The husband of one of the ladies who does not attend church was present and heard a strong message the difference between "presentation and baptism," the declaration of baptism, and the deliberate life of the disciple.  Pray that he too will come to faith in Christ.

Since tomorrow is Pastor Victoriano's 49th birthday, we sang Happy Birthday.  I must admit I did not know there were that many different Happy Birthday songs.  We must have sung four or five totally different ones.  And of course, the songs were accompanied with the traditional firecracker explosions.  David was asked to pray for Victoriano and his family.  During the repeat of one of the Happy Birthday songs, folks came to him to give hugs and presents.

People scattered around the campground for lunch.  Such good tastes were shared with a special treat for everyone...a strawberry ice cream cone.  I must admit though I saw several folks (and not just the kids) going back for seconds.  Why not?  It was so good!

Felt like we had been to an old fashioned campground meeting ---good singing, good preaching, good food, sweet fellowship.  Probably a little picture of what it will be in heaven.