Baptism in the Nile

Thursday began with breakfast and an early morning arrival at Chayah.  The last of the baptism classes was held in the front yard and arrangements had been made to walk to a certain cove in the Nile for the special event.

The retreat area had very specific regulations requiring our silence and then quiet as we reached the water’s edge.  The older children were briefed as we took in the picturesque and our blond-headed servant scouted the waters for crocodiles.  Be assured there were several reports of something suspicious floating nearby, but it very possibly could have been sticks masquerading as crocs.  Always the adventurer, we were glad we had his keen eyes to protect the masses.

As each Chayah child entered the water, professed their faith, were baptized and walked out, we were so proud of their commitment and pray they walk out their faith every day until eternity takes over.  They are beautiful and like us, so imperfect, so human and also like each of us, their days will vacillate between the good, the bad and the ugliness of our sin natures.  Life renewed, redeemed and promised to the Savior is a very long walk of obedience and disobedience, success, failure and to be sure, a deepening realization that everything is fleeting, and worthless without the love of God himself.

We prayed for them as a group and headed back to Chayah.  Long talks with the older girls, football games in the front yard and a wonderful lunch filled the rest of the morning.  A water balloon toss led to a water balloon fight including screams, squeals and sprinkles.  

Tomorrow they meet us at the hotel, swim for a bit and wrap up our team’s part of this trip with ice cream so today was our last chance to gather them for some final words of affirmation, a challenge and reminders of our love…at least what can possibly be put into words.  We finished by reminding them once again, that God’s love is not dependent on their performance, their age, they school success…but is based solely on the truth that they belong to him and like every good father he loves them without condition.  

We’ll say it again and again, as long as they will listen and maybe even long after that.  It’s the one thing we can be sure of.