Baptism at the Beach -- Part 2

When we pulled up at the little church there in that coastal village, everyone was waiting on us! I think all of the village children were there and many of the adults. Their assignment......stare at the white children! :)  I am sure that most of them had never seen a white child. Here we were, 3 white children and 7 white adults (and I am white enough to count for 2)!

The girls did not like it at first.
They hid between the trucks until it was time to go into the church.

The adult gathered outside the church.

Just a few of the children

The little church and the over flow area outside.

Already the ladies have started working on our lunch.

We gathered inside of the church.
To give you an idea of the size of the building,
I am sitting with my back against the front wall looking into the congregation.

"Guests" usually sit in a place of honor.
And that is what we did.....we sat in front of the congregation....in chairs...
(I think I caught Lilly off guard.....or she was freaked out....either could be true!)

While we were in the church, the leader of the congregation introduced the baptism candidates and all of the guests and we sang a few songs. He also gave some instructions on the route we would take to the beach. Then, he dismissed us to prepare for our walk and the baptism.

Lee talking with a gentleman that we got to know
while we was in Quelimane for a few days.

I am putting sunscreen on the girls and the children gathered around to watch.

And we are off! 

Lilly, Sally, and Meghan
(I'm not sure what Lilly is pointing at)

Just beyond the edge of the village it opens up to this.....
the remains of a coconut orchard.
The trees in this area have gotten a disease and are dying.

We went through this old Portuguese settlement....really cool!
It is totally in the middle of no-where! 

Getting closer!
We are walking in lines because this is like a dirt road
that is not traveled much and grade is growing in the middle.
The beach is just through those trees up ahead.

The journey to the beach took us about 20 minutes on foot. I wanted to stop all along the way and take it all in. It is so different, yet so much the same as the Carolinas. Beautiful.....


Tracy