"We weren't called here to baptize." That's what I thought to myself when the request first came. Of course, baptizing is part of the Great Commission (see Matt. 28) and we are missionaries, so isn't baptizing part of that? Well, yes, but we were called here to work with pastors and do training and theological education, so how did we wind up baptizing our Costa Rican brothers and sisters? Don't get me wrong, I'm very much a Baptist, and as pastors in Oregon and Washington, Mylinda and I counted this ordinance as a great honor in which to be involved. As a matter of fact, the last baptism we did was in 2000, when we baptized our daughter Jamie.

We try to make a habit of attending the Tuesday morning prayer meeting/breakfast at the Baptist church in the poor community of Los Cuadros. As a family we have gotten to know some of the families there, and the Xtreme Team that visited Costa Rica last July stayed a few nights in this humble church facility. A member of their worship team is taking Mylinda's worship class at the theological enter. Some money from bracelets of hope (see other updates) helped a young boy from the church with some much-needed dental work. We have been privileged to enter the church's life and ministry in many ways. So when Pastora Miriam (the pastor) asked us if we would baptize 8 people there on a Sunday morning, we were honored.

Nevertheless, I hesitated, not wanting to take over or appear like the gringo from the north who knows it all and has to do it all. Mylinda likes to say that we are here to "stand alongside of" the Costa Rican Baptists, and that is exactly what we got to do. It turns out that Miriam had asked us to do the baptism because her bad back wouldn't allow her to dunk the folks and bring them back up. So we stood alongside Miriam, then knelt with each candidate (Magaly, Shirley, Jesús, Alejandra, Elbia, David, Guido, and Jennifer) and dipped them into an inflatable children's pool since the church has no baptistery. The water was chilly (no water heater), but the atmosphere was warm and joyful as these 8 people, dressed in white, said their public yeses to the yes of the gospel. They promised to follow Christ and be his people in the midst of a drug infested, crime-ridden community.

We celebrated with hot coffee and tamales, standing alongside of each other to stay warm. We were glad that we had walked alongside long enough to be invited to share in this meaningful event as these new believers said yes in baptism. Their yes confirmed our yes as a privilege of partnership. Evangelism and discipleship are alive and well in Costa Rica and the welcome of our Costa Rican brothers and sisters and your support allow us to be a part of it. Thanks for the privilege.

Mylinda Baits