What a week!

The last week was memorable for various reasons. Not least was the baptism of Ismael on Sunday, June 2. His baptism was memorable in itself because it came after years of wrestling with an issue and its consequences on a pesonal level: he came to the conclusion that he should be baptized by immersion. What made the issue more complicated for him is the fact his father has been a Presbyterian pastor on the mainland for over 20 years.

When Ismael was born, their church baptized by immersion and didn't baptize infants, so that was not the issue. He accepted Jesus as Savior when he was about 10 and was "baptized" then,  but in the meantime, the church had adopted Presbyterian affiliation and the practice of sprinkling ... and infant baptism, issues he wrestled with all during his teen-age years. Marrying a Baptist girl, Vânia, only brought the issue all the more to his mind and heart. He has participated in our services, playing the guitar and giving music lessons, but he wanted to be a member; he felt this was essential for being able to fully serve the Lord in the local body.

The negative reaction of his parents is understandable. In his testimony before the church, Ismael emphasized his respect and admiration for his father as a pastor and servant of the Lord, but his desire to obey what he knew the Lord was calling him to do was stronger. Faith: doing what God asks us to do, no matter what.