Baptism Day!

Day Nine

 Today we got up at 630am so we could be at the resort for baptisms by 8am. Joy and I went to the t-shirt printing shop bright and early to get the Equippers t-shirts that had been printed that we were going to give to every person who was to be baptized. Then we quickly visited the supermarket down the road before heading off to get some groceries we will need for today's day at the pool. We managed to catch a taxi right away, but he ended up being the craziest driver ever. He was beeping, swerving and swearing and everyone that got in his way. In the Philippines no one wears their seat belts and many taxis don't even have them! haha So we ended up going on a ticky tour around because the taxi driver said he didn't know the way, but we were all pretty sure that he was just trying to rip us off. Once we arrived, there were heaps of people already there and the resort was really beautiful! We had the whole back area of the resort for our church and it had a B.B.Q area, a shower and covered in eating place. Ps John explained to me the reason why every newly baptized church member got an Equippers shirt the day they get baptized:

1. Relationship with Jesus
2. Service- from the day you get baptized you are now invited to service in the house of God.
3. Identity- Their identity is now in Christ and now connected to Equippers Manila.

There was a total of 27 people who were baptized today how awesome! I got the absolute privilege of baptizing two ladies! It was such an honor to and pray for them afterwards, baptisms are so exciting. They each were asked to share a testimony of why they are getting baptized beforehand. Although I couldn't understand what they were saying, many of them were crying and I could tell that their lives had been so impacted and transformed by God. It brought tears to my eyes, it's really awesome to see so many youth so on fire and surrendered to God. Ps John and Nyles are doing an amazing job leading the church! It was pouring down with rain for the majority of the day but that didn't stop everyone from dancing, swimming and celebrating their baptisms! We had a big feast for lunch with B.B.Q fish, chicken adobu, rice, soft drinks and a big chocolate cake! Was an awesome day!

 Then around 4pm everyone started to leave, by now it was pretty cold and absolutely pouring down with rain. We all got changed and headed out. Ps John had already left for home as little Cloudy (his 5 month old son) was sick at home with Nyles.

When we got home, we headed out to the mall to buy supplies for a big 12 trip we will be taking to Bicol for Ps Johns mums 70th birthday surprise party! We ended up going and having dinner in the same branch where we had dinner for eGroup the other night! Little Cloudy then started to throw up, so we had to leave, thinking that he was sick again. We brought some peach and mango pies from Jollibee for dessert, they were very awesome! I headed to bed early not knowing if we were going to be given a van to travel to Bicol in by Ps Ace, so I waited to pack in case we wouldn't be able to go after all. 

Goodnight people

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