Panasang Baptism May 23, 2015

On a beautiful Saturday evening May 23, 2015 four people were baptized into the church.  This marks the 40th baptism for us in just six months (there have been many more we didn't attend).  Pictured below is one of our newest missionaries, Sister Park from Arkansas.  Elder Kim is the most senior missionary on the island and will go home in July. They are preparing for the music for the baptism. Four adults were baptized at this service.  Three young men and one young mother who was baptized by her husband.  The church is growing here on the island and it is a privelege to be a small part of it.

The young man in the center is Trellison George.  He has been attending our seminary class at the high school.  He rarely misses a class.  We assumed that he was a member until just a month or so ago.  He has desired to join the church but had some unique hurdles to cross.  His parents are living in the U.S. and gave him permission to be baptized but his guardians refused.  So he moved out to live with his cousin, Vince Amida and his grandparents.  He was then able to be baptized.  What a great day for him.

Here we are in the Panasang Chapel after the baptism.  Trellison is standing beside Sister Hedgpeth with Vince's grandmother standing beside him.  Grandpa is in the red shirt on the right.  When a camera comes out it seems everyone wants to get in the act.