Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Baptism in San Pedro: Los Llanos y Consuelo

"Baptism in San Pedro: Los Llanos y Consuelo"
Elder Darrel L. Hammon
                 
       Two Saturdays ago, we had the opportunity to go to Consuelo and pick up one of the little families and take them to San Pedro for a baptism. The young son who was almost ten was going to be baptized. We arrived a little early to the capilla. As we were sitting there along came the branch president and his little son. He seemed surprised we were there. Either he had forgotten about the baptism or we were really early. I’ll take the latter. He hopped in, and we took him to his home where he changed. Then, we headed to the capilla to pick up the family.
                When we arrived, there was the Hermana with her four little children. We loaded them up in the back—the branch president, the mother, and her four little children. It was a tight squeeze for a Honda Civic. I suspect we would have been pulled over in the U.S. But we trundled forward and arrived at the Kennedy building, which is also the District building.
                Soon, Elders Anderson and Cowley came and then Elder and Sister Eickbush with Elder and Sister Yturralde. They drove all the way to Los Llanos to pick up the young man who was going to be baptized from their branch. He was about 39 and was ready. They had brought Presidente Vasquez and Brother Fernandez, the first counselor in the branch presidency. Before the baptism, we took several pictures of the candidates and their families with the missionaries and branch president. They love having their picture taken.
                Joanne and Sister Eickbush had brought three cakes between them. By the time we were finished so were the cakes. I cannot believe how much cake can be eaten by such a few people. I guess, though, there were probably twenty people when the final headcount was taken.
                What a great baptism it was. I was able to bear my testimony once again of the truthfulness of the gospel.We enjoy doing this.