“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” ~Matthew 28:19-20
We spent our first week here in Kabuga, meeting with members of Victory Church, who desired to be baptized. They were making a decision as young adults, to make their faith, their own. They confessed their sins, and stood in confidence, as they declared that it was their desire to be made new, to be a new creation, in Christ Jesus.
Friday, we made the trek from our home, to the church, to another church, where a baptismal pool was located. Once we arrived at the church, we found a pool, but no water. So a decision was made to travel to “The River” a “short” distance away. Let me tell you a little something about Africa, words don’t always mean what you think they mean. Our “short” walk to the river, only took a good solid hour, an hour of tracking through mud, through crops, jumping over little rivers filled with frogs and lillipads. Did I mention I was wearing a skirt and my rainbows? Oh wait and at the end, we had to cross a river, utilizing 2 thin logs as our bridge. Funtimes!
Our men, Tom and Brian entered the murky, frigid waters of “The River” as we entered into a time of preparation in prayer and worship. These Rwandans were not too fond of the water and it required great faith for them to even enter the water, knowing they could not swim. We came with 15 people desiring to be baptized and 15 people were filled with the Holy Spirit as he descended over “The River”. There was a battle or two, while we were there, but the Holy Spirit reigned. Basically, “The enemy’s been defeated, but death couldn’t hold You down.”
“Spirit of God, fall on this place, Lord, have your way with us”
The clouds brooded over us all afternoon, threatening us with an onslaught of rain, as thunder rumbled overhead. But the sun remained steadfast, proclaiming Heaven’s glory and served as a gateway for the voice of God. God who spoke over each one of the 15 individuals, “You are my son [daughter], whom I love; with you I am well pleased”.
