Hi, Everybody!

This is Friday afternoon, believe it or not.

Last night's meeting went quite well. Pastors Luis Leonor and Barr went, thinking there would be a baptism. But the school could not get water into the baptistry, so they took a few pictures at the beginning and then went to another site.

I expected the local pastor at 10:00, but he had to take his father to the hospital. I'm not sure what was/is involved; but we hope he is doing better.

The pastor came at 11:00, and we did go to two school sites. The first one was where we are holding meetings. We didn't get there until about noon, and on Fridays they let out at 11:30. But I did get to take some pictures of the principal, the treasurer, and their computer room. I also found it that this is an academy with grades 7-11. They have 125 students. The school at the church site is pre-school through grade 6, and they have 175 students. They are really crowded.

From there we went to an open air market that is about two miles from the hotel. We did not get to the wholesale one, as it is about 20 miles away, and the Friday was running late, and the pastor still had several visits to make with people planning to be baptized tomorrow in Granada.

I understand that there could be between 1,200 and 1,500 baptized tomorrow. That seems like a very large baptism. Pastor Barr has been asked to assist in the baptism.

The topic for tonight is on healthful living and tithing. I hope things go well. Attendance was a bit lower last night, but Pastor Barr thinks we have more than most other places.

One of the things I like to do during these campaigns is to visit all the sites during the daytime. I get a feel for where the rest of the team members are working. I think it helps unify us. The pastor helped me plot on a map where all the sites are, and I plan on taking a picture of the map.

We do appreciate your prayers. Tomorrow we will be joining the other group from Weimar who are staying at another hotel about two blocks away. I think we are going on the same bus. That should be fun!

Next Sabbath the conference will have a big baptism up at Matagalpa, where the other groups have over 12 meeting sites. We'll be glad to hear how things are going there. Pastor Leonor says that is a beautiful mountainous area, lovely weather, and all of those things.

Happy Sabbath,

Love you all.

Saturday, March 15, 2008 8:45 PM
Nicaragua-13

Today has been a long day, it seems. But first, a word about last night's
meeting.

Since today was to be the large national baptism, the pastor requested that I readjust the sermon topics and preach about baptism, so that is what I did. Then he made an appeal. He set the goal for 15 decisions, and
finally one came forward. After about 40 minutes of appeals, there were
nine who came forward desiring baptism. Of course, we were very glad
for this response. The congregation always responds with a fervent amen
and clapping when people come forward.

We left this morning at 7:00 for Granada, the city next to the large inland lake. There were four or five buses waiting, as instructed, by the cemetery. Before long about another twenty busses showed up, coming in from all parts of the conference.

Then we had a police escort to the lakeside place that had been prepared with plastic chairs, sound equipment, and podium. There was an abundance of music, starting at about 9:00.

Pastor Leonor preached an excellent sermon on the importance of being part of God's remnant people, I wish it could have been recorded. I don't know if someone did, or not.

Today was an Inter American Division-wide day for baptisms, entitled “Pentecost and More!”

Then instructions were given to the candidates, and the Pathfinders formed a path from the general area down to the waterfront, for the candidates and their church deacons, etc., to lead them by groups.

There were 45 pastors who walked out into the lake to baptize. Unfortunately, this was an open season waterfront, and much of the solemnity was lost in the scramble and confusion. There were children and adults swimming in the lake.  The water was very shallow until quite a ways out, so there was not the immediate visual contact between friends and relatives of the candidates.

Pastors Barr and Reeves were invited to join the other pastors in the baptismal process. I got to sing along with a quartet during the baptisms. They were “impressed” that I had sung with the Kings Heralds even though it was back in 1943, long before any of them were around! It was fun to add a fifth voice and harmonize with them.

Our bus had to leave by 12:30 so as to get back to the hotel by 2:00 for the noon meal.

We understand that there were about 450 baptized, although it had been announced that there would be over 1500. Maybe this included those who will be baptized next weekend up in the Matagalpa area, and also possibly other areas that were not able to join us here today.

Elder Leonor had the “English” contingent sing “We have This Hope.” It sounded very good. He has asked me to lead it, but I'm glad I was busy using Pastor Leonor's camera to film the activity, The leader of a singing group visiting here from the States led out, and it sounded very good.

Pastor asked me if I had taken my saw, and I said, “I don't take my saw when I'm not invited to play.” He was quite apologetic, as were some others, that I had not taken it. No doubt it would have been a “novelty” but that is neither here nor there. They did have a huge sound system that covered the area.

One distractive element was that after the thousands seated (maybe 2,500) sort of broke up to get close to the beach to see the baptism better, the street vendors came into the area and were selling their wares, as ice cream, drinks, candies, etc.

I wanted to download the pictures this afternoon, but Internet was sporadic and went off. I'm glad I didn't try. I will attempt to put on today’s pictures when I finish this note.

I got to the auditorium at about 6:00, and the doors were open, with one person there. Finally the power plant was turned on, and more came. We did have computer problems with the set-up and were not able to show the Jesus video or project songs. They'll be checking that out tonight (the technicians, etc).

It has been a good day, very busy, but inspiring.

Oh, we did have about 125 show up for my meeting. One or two other meetings were cancelled when only three people showed up. This was a long day for all. I'm sure tomorrow night will be better for all sites.

Love you all, Thanks for your prayers.

Harvey

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