At the end of a weekend conference, attended by hundreds of believers from as far as 36 miles away, the Higaunon church celebrated its second baptism.
When missionaries Paul and Debbie Howells awoke at 5 a.m. the day of the baptism, many Higaunons were already up. In fact, about 15 servant-hearted believers were up all night cooking two pigs for the riverside breakfast they would have at the baptism.
The Howells packed an old red bucket for the picnic and waited as a jeep made several trips to take people to the river.
"We were on the last trip and as we arrived at the river we were met with a scene that almost took our breaths away," wrote Debbie. "I feel tears pricking my eyes just recalling it right now."
The dusty road ended suddenly at the river's edge. The sun shone down, mountains rose high in the background, and the river flowed clear and cold over the rocks.
"Everywhere we looked there were groups of people gathered on both sides of the banks, and all the different-colored clothing just splashed beautiful colors against the backdrop of the river."
Faces smiled expectantly, those waiting to be baptized were excited, and even Higaunons who didn't really grasp the significance of the celebration were drawn to the gathering to see what was happening.
Five men stood in the water and baptized 85 people who came to know Jesus this past year through the ministry of the Higaunon believers.
"I was excited to see several older people who got baptized, people in their 60s and 70s." wrote Debbie. "One older lady, as she came down into the water to get baptized, stopped and just jumped for joy!"
Another man in his 70s was weak and took careful steps down into the river but he was clearly thrilled to get baptized as a witness to everyone gathered of what the Lord did for him.
"Some of the most beautiful memories of the day," Debbie continued, "were the smiles and look of joy on faces of our brothers and sisters as they came up out of the water, seeing believers as they served food to the gathered crowd, and the many hugs exchanged by people who are now brothers and sisters in the Lord but previously didn't know each other, didn't care about each other. Some were even enemies!
"We saw one brother who was going through some heavy trials being hugged and comforted and talked to by another dear faithful brother and we saw him being able to smile."
And Paul and Debbie just sat back and watched, greatly moved by what God has done.
Praise God with them as He builds His Church among the Higaunon people.
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