"..that He may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?"

Sunday, June 26, more of Father's children willingly covenanted to serve Him and keep his commandments. Here, we have a missionary, Elder Tshituka and a young man who has been team teaching with the missionaries, because of a recooperating Elder Manganda. It is a great opportunity for this young man to have this missionary experience. He is planning on a mission in just a few years. Frere Juvenal and Soeur Verdiane are the parents of Axcel, their 8 year old and guardian of Felix, the other young man in white, that they took into their home as family. Frere Juvenal was able to baptize these two boys. Joy truly filled their hearts this day!

This was another family situation. "Papa Elias" is the grandfather of Frere Thaddie on the far left. Thaddie was so excited that his Grandfather had sought baptism. Have you seen a happier countenance??

Soeur Aniciette is a mother of three. We have seen her at the church meetings for many, many months.....but when the new chapel was announced close to her home, within walking distance, she was the first one there to help clean the building and the chairs....and request baptism!

This young man, Fabrice, has been requesting baptism for months but has been attending school interior of the country. This made it difficult for him to receive the missionary discussions. Since July 1st is the Burundian National Independence Day (celebrated since 1962), he had 10 days for the holiday and was able to be taught. He has latched onto Elder and Sister Frogley as he calls us "Mother" and "Daddy". He speaks four languages and loves English. Of this day, he said, "I am so happy!"In the church history of Burundi, Egide Nzojibwami, is a well known and respected name. He and his wife, Beatrice, were instrumental in establishing legally the beginning of the church here in Burundi. They now live in Canada and recently came back to visit in Bujumbura. While here, they invited us to come to a family gathering of about 60 people. They have really large families. We offered to bring a projection of the first vision and they invited all of their family. The two men pictured here are Egide's brother, Frere Salvator, and Salvator's son, Christophe.

When Elder Frogley emailed this photo to Egide and wrote him, Egide wrote of being overjoyed. He said,"I never thought I would see the day, when someone else in my family would join the church!"

Elder Tshitumbu and Elder Muenyi taught these two young men. I wish you could have seen their smiles as they came up out of the waters of baptism.

In total, there were nine new members. Behind them, is Frere Juma, who has only been a member a few months using his new priesthood authority to act in the name of his Savior and baptize many of these fine people.

"..as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing o bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that he may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life--

Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?" (Mosiah 18:8-10)