First Baptism from Loulé

Aug 4  Saturday

Saturday morning we woke up to an outside temperature of 84^o.  We met the Sisters (Madsen and Kelson) to go to our first baptism in Loulé.  

The church building in Loulé does not have a font so we drove to the church building in Faro.  By the time we arrived (20 minutes away) it was 91.  The baptism was scheduled for 9:00, and we were the first to arrive at the church at 8:45 (reminiscent of Brazil).  The Elders from Loulé (Alder and Buarque) picked up members in Loulé, so they were late. 

Sisters  Madsen and Kelson were asked to sing a duet at the baptism – If the Savior Stood Beside Me.  We practiced while Merl visited with people as they arrived.  The room that has the baptismal font only has a keyboard which I find difficult to play - but it is better than nothing,  Fortunately there is a piano in the chapel.

(Foto:  Davi, son of Giovani next to him [member of the Branch Presidency in Loulé] and Abel who lives in Évora and was baptized two weeks ago.)

Today, Leticia Solange Rocha Fortes was baptized by Jairo Ferreira who is the Branch Missionary Leader.  He is 19 years old and became a member in March.  This was his second time to baptize someone. 
(Foto:  Sisters Kelson and Madsen, Elder Buarque, Jairo Ferreira, Leticia Fortes, Elder Alder)







The meeting started at 10:00 and was conducted by Branch President Rui Gorjão (everyone goes only by their first names). 

Sister Kelson and Sister Madsen sang beautifully, and a video depicting Christ’s baptism gave the meeting a special feeling.  It was a beautiful service. These missionaries are doing a great work

We met the Sisters serving in Faro, Sister Restrepo from Texas and Sister Enders from Twin Falls.  It was great meeting them and to find out for sure that Sister Enders received the package from her mother that we brought with us.  

Cookies and Italian salad were served as refreshments – kind of an odd combination, but everyone it enjoyed them as we visited.

As we arrived back in Loulé, the Sisters took us to our Branch (Ramo) building so we would know where to go to church tomorrow.  It is a three story modern structure made of brick, mortar, and tile.  It is part of a development with businesses on either side.  They gave us a tour and showed us the chapel, classrooms, kitchen, and President’s office.  All sleek and shiny.  We then splurged and had ice cream treats at McDonalds just around the corner.  There are many more options for ice cream here, and the ice cream is better than in the U.S.

Later we decided we needed to do some serious grocery shopping because we have been eating sandwiches, green salad, fruit, and cereal for three days, so we went to the Super Continental.  It is a huge market!  

After eating a late lunch, we walked around a few blocks close to our apartment and purchased me a hat and fan to help protect me from the heat and sun.  We think it reached 104^o today… and we requested to not go to a hot climate!  Tomorrow we will try to fix something in the oven. . . still trying to figure out all the buttons.