Saturday, October 12th-Chatsworth baptism at beach and lunch after

Today we've been invited to a get-together at the beach by the Chatsworth Ward Elders and members for a picnic and baptisms in the ocean. We've been excited to see how this will work, as we've never been to one in the ocean before. Because there are four baptisms, Elder Bowman got permission from the Mission President to do it this way. They told us to meet at the church at noon and we were there on time, but hardly anyone was there. Elder Bowman said that he just told everyone noon, because being late is normal in Africa. We didn't leave for the beach until closer to 2 pm.

We followed the Elders and they drove to a fairly private beach that was really nice. It had picnic tables and barbecues, plus some concrete bleachers and a large lookout area above the bleachers. The setting was very pretty and all our friends from the Chatsworth Ward were there. The ladies started putting out finger foods, and then invited everyone to come and eat. One of the women there told us about how during apartheid, this beach was chosen to be the beach for the Indian population. The blacks got a beach and so did the whites, but they could not mix.





People kept coming and we ended up having a very large group, but as usual there was plenty of food. Indian people really know how to party. The food was very good. I especially liked the Roti's (a form of tortilla that the Indians use) wrapped with some potato mixture inside. Yum. There were finger sandwiches with a spicy fish, egg salad, chicken salad, etc. There were samosas and various other foods. This lady with the colorful skirt hugging her friend is getting baptized today.








While we were getting ready to eat, some people were down at the beach playing in the water. Everyone was having a great time and the weather was nice, though a bit cloudy at times. The water was very cold but didn't seem to stop people from getting in it.

 Elder Bowman (walking out of this photo) was in charge and walked around making sure everything was ready for the baptism. It still seemed a bit weird to me and a little chaotic for a baptism, but everyone was into it, so we were just waiting to see what happened.



After everyone ate, they gathered at the bleachers to see what happens next. Baptismal clothing was passed out to the two men and two women who were getting baptized and matched up by size and type.










They then went into the bathrooms to change, while we all waited in the bleachers for further instruction. Everyone was enjoying the nice day and just being outside at the beach. There was also anticipation in the air for the baptisms and the families who would be affected by them.









We then went upstairs to the ocean lookout area. These lovely ladies were enjoying the view while the speakers were being gathered and those being baptized were coming from the dressing rooms. Everyone filed up the stairs to the ocean lookout. The missionaries were revved and ready to go.

This is one of the missionaries attending in a Utah football jersey with two of those being baptized. His name is Elder Mudzurawona! Do you think one of his companions gave him the shirt? He wasn't baptizing...must have been a new transfer recently. He was pretty funny.








There were several missionaries there. I guess the word got out about the baptisms at the beach and several of them showed up. They also heard that President and Sister Zackrison were going to show up if they could, but they couldn't get back to Durban in time.
A woman talked about the Holy Ghost, but her voice was so soft that most couldn't hear her with the wind and ocean sounds. The husband of one of the women getting baptized, gave the talk on Baptism after the other woman talked about the Holy Ghost. Usually the baptism talk is first, but today is out of the norm in many ways.
Finally we were finished and headed down to the ocean after taking a few photos for the people getting baptised and the missionaries doing the baptisms.


We took some photos on the deck and down by the ocean before they ever got dipped in the water.
The man in the previous photo is this lady's husband and the Elder is Elder Francom.
Soon it was time to go down to the beach and when we did more photos were taken before the ladies got their hair all wet.






This is Elder Bowman and the young man he was baptizing with his family who came to the baptism. The beach baptism was a novelty to be sure, but it was a baptism with the same excitement for the persons getting ready to change their lives and the same Spirit that dwells at all baptisms. With that said, the water was really cold and the woman below said that she could not swim. She was very nervous.










A dip in the water, time to close your eyes, squeeze your nose and hold on tight to the Elder doing the baptism. A moment to remember for the rest of your life.

Under she goes!














Wow, that was cold, but I didn't drown and I feel warm all over!











All four of them were baptized, three by Elder Bowman above and one by Elder Francom, who taught this woman when he used to be a missionary in the Chatsworth Ward. He got special permission to come and do this baptism and on Tuesday he goes back home. He has been a great missionary and especially loved Chatsworth Ward. They had much success when he was there. I sent these photos to his mother's email address and she wrote back that it made her day! Sweet.




Everyone is obviously happy and the entire ward enjoyed this experience, even though a member of the bishopric got completely soaked as he was witnessing the baptisms...tide was coming in. Seen here are the four people who got baptized, the two Elders who did the baptism and the member of the bishopric (witness).

Can you believe some couples choose to miss an experience like this!! Unbelievable.