goin' for a holy swim

Mercedes is a dear friend of ours who moved to the States from Cuba a year and a half ago with her youngest son and husband. We've spent many evenings together gorging on Cuban eats (all three of them can cook, that's for sure!) and laughing Caribbean style. They've had very intense struggles both physically and financially since moving here and we still aren't seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Still, the joy they have in community and their laughter from the heart persists. Drew and I often feel like we're back in the DR when we're all together, sitting in plastic chairs on someone's porch and sipping a Presidente.

Mercedes came with us to church the week after meeting us and has been coming ever since. She's asked about baptism many times and made it clear that she would like to move forward with it as well as to become a full member of the church. It was an honor to meet with Mercedes and one of our pastors, Kristin, and discuss "what is baptism" and how that relates to Mercedes' story. I was pleased be asked to baptize Mercedes alongside Kristen.

We started off that Sunday service by reading Mercedes the membership questions (in Spanish), as she confirmed them.

The church was invited forward to gather around Mercedes and pray for her.

The weather was by no means warm but thanks to the mild fall Chicago graced us with the water wasn't all that bad! Mercedes took her first communion immediately following the baptism and then in turn served each of us the meal.


This woman works a physically demanding job and is exhausted come Sunday, but you'll be sure to see her at church--early, mind you--ready with a warm hug and smile! I'm so thankful for her friendship.