Mike had a wonderful Holy Week with Bowin UMC. On Friday, we had a combination Maundy Thursday/ Good Friday worship service. We celebrated Maundy Thursday by having a footwashing service that was full of joy and prayers for each other. It was wonderful to see the people of Bowin love each other by serving each other humbly and giving blessing prayers to each other. We also celebrated Good Friday service through a modified version of a Tenebrae service. We love the spirit of the people of Bowin UMC who love the Lord Jesus with a passion that reminds me of our first love for the Lord Jesus. It is inspiring to be in their presence, because worshipping and fellowshipping with them makes me want to be closer to Jesus Christ in my daily walk.
On Sunday, Mike preached the Easter sermon and served communion. They practiced communion in a different way than their norm, by serving each other by intinction (dipping the bread in the cup). After Easter service and our meal together, we went to the local reservoir for baptisms. Pastor Jerron and Mike baptized 10 new believers. We prayed for those being baptized and then we went out to the water. The baptismal candidates would each go through a cross shaped bower covered with flowers and come to Pastor Jerron and Mike to be baptized. It was a joyous occasion and several people were so overflowing with joy, they danced in the water all the way back to the shore to the singing and cheers of their fellow sisters and brothers of Bowin UMC. The baptism service was shorter than usual because there was lightning, and a few times it struck near us.
We are all back in Thailand now. Sherri and Anthony arrived Wednesday early morning. It is good to get back to our ministry here, where the Lord has planted us.
