Baptism, Potato harvest, Antisana

Well, I finally got some pictures on here. I wasn't able to put them on at our house, though. I had to go to a internet cafe to put them on. At least it worked. I think there may be a problem with our connection. Anyways, here are some pictures from a baptism service from a few weeks ago. These are from the baptism of Edwin and Jenny. These are new believers in the El Quinche area that we have shared about before. I know I have shared prayer requests related to them. Thanks so much for praying for them. It is exciting to see them growing their faith. This was a pretty special day. This was the first baptism I ever performed and was glad for the opportunity.
Matthew 28:18-20-Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Just a quick word about this passage of Scripture. I italicized some parts of this verse that I really like or were pertinent to the picture. The first one is about baptism. We do this as a sign or symbol of the new life in Christ, as the next verse will illustrate. Romans 6:4-"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." This is why the biblical practice of baptism involves immersion, submersion or a good old fashioned dunking. Actually, the Greek word for baptism actually means to immerse or submerge. Basically, baptism is a symbol of the old sinful life being crucified and buried with Christ and then raised for a new life in Christ. Essentially, it is a perfect picture of death, burial and resurrection with Jesus. The third picture was also taken the day of the baptism. It is of El Quinche, a beautiful sunset displaying the glory of God, a special gift on a special day.
This next picture is of a potato harvest. It was really interesting to see and be a part of. We didn't do all that much work but they gave us some fresh papas or potatoes.
These next few pictures are from a recent fishing trip up in the mountains. We were quite near the volcano Antisana. It was beautiful scenery but we didn't catch any fish. Maybe next time, after all, fish tremble at the mere mention of my name. We were up at about 13,000 feet. We even saw frost there, when we first went. It was quite cold. We were also able to see some wildlife. We saw a bunch of rabbits, a deer and several types of birds. This first picture is of a valley that was filled with sheep and a couple of shepherds. There must have been at least 100 sheep. You may have to click on this picture to enlarge it.
This is a picture of the lake that we went to, I'm thinking there were no fish there or they all went on vacation.
A picture of the marshy area of the lake, some paramo or grassland and Mt. Antisana.
I must say this is my favorite picture of the day and a favorite that I've taken in a while.
This passage is kind of long but is a beautiful creation Psalm about the Creator and his power. I will try to highlight or color some interesting parts.
Psalm 104:1-35-"Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.
You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth.
He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart. The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees.
The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the coneys. The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.
How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number—living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time.
When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works-he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.
But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD."