Baptisms by Numbers

In February, some of the kids at the CRC had the opportunity to start taking the missionary discussions.  I was elated when I found out and made sure to attend the first discussion.  The missionaries committed everyone in that discussion to be baptized and on March 19, 2011 they were all baptized. 

It was an awesome event.  There were eight others who were also baptized along with our eight.  It brought me to tears seeing all those people in white starting on the path that leads to eternal life.  It was such a blessing for me to be a part of it all. 

The missionaries started making weekly visits to meet with us at the CRC.  We also started a morning scripture study with all the kids preparing for baptism.   

I had to take lots of snaps of everyone in their white clothes.

The girls…from left to right: Ethel (who was baptized in October), Bridget, Me, and Diana.

The boys…Festose, Josephat, Lweendo, and Bwalya.

All the kids.

Lord, George, and Innocent did the baptizing.  Justin (one of the workers on the farm) was also baptized.  I love seeing him come to church every Sunday.  He’s a good man.

Here they are patiently waiting for the baptism to start.

These kids have been coming to church ever since I’ve known them.  They’ve wanted to be a part of this marvelous work but have been unable to be baptized because they are orphans.  As they were confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days, I couldn’t help but be grateful for this miracle.  They will now play a crucial role in helping to build the Kingdom in Zambia. 

January 19, My Favorite Day of the Year

Suddenly I realized that March is half over and I so desperately wish that I could hit the slow motion button and have more time to enjoy this incredible place.

This is the first of many posts with updates of the last few months.

I’ll start with my birthday (since it is my most favorite day of the entire year).

Thelma and I share the same birthday.  In the morning, like 5:30 in the morning, she gathered all the kids together and they sang happy birthday to me.

I made the kids sing happy birthday to me and Thelma frequently throughout the day.  I also got lots of really great homemade presents…those are the best kind.

My birthday dinner was so scrumptious…potatoes, green beans, and chicken (such a nice break from nschima).

(notice the bouquet of flowers…courtesy of the girls just for my birthday)

Exactly at 7 PM the birthday bash began and boy was it a party.  We played games.

The scream game…

Ultimate Ninja…

For sure Lord won…check out that Ninja stance…nobody could compete with that.

Bwalya spent the whole afternoon preparing a little somethin’ somethin’ for me.  Love that kid!!!

He made me a purse and got me a box of mangoes.  Loved it.

We had some popcorn…

And of course it wouldn’t have been a birthday without a cake.  I have missed Stephanie’s cake but this is certainly an upgrade from what I had last year.

Thelma and I continued our birthday celebration with a dinner date at the only Mexican restaurant in all of Zambia.

Oh how I love my birthday!!!