Here in Ukraine baptisms are held outdoors and the most popular place in both Dnepro and Zaporosia is the Dniper (nee-per) River. Maxim has been working for us since a year ago in May. When he came he didn't know any English, and we invited him to come to church with the Steinbach building team the Sunday he returned to the village (he had been working as a welder for the company building the barn before). After that he attended church with us in Dnepropetroesk until he visited John Wien's church in Zaporosia one Saturday night in February. He liked it so much he started going there regularly.
Last winter Pastor Andrey from Morningstar told us that Max had prayed the prayer to accept Christ, and his faith has been nurtured in the New Hope Church in Zaporosia. A few weeks ago he told Garry he had decided to be baptised and it would be Sunday October 2nd. Garry told him we would definitely want to be there. It is exciting to know that this young man started on his Christian life because we came to Ukraine and met him. Victor wanted to go for Maxim also, but he came and picked up the milk for the churches in Dnepro this morning so we could attend.
Maxim's girlfriend, Yulia, also came with us, we picked her up on the way out of the village, she lives with her parents on the street on the other side of the pond. We got there early, Maxim didn't want to be late.
We got there long before the appointed hour of ten, and everyone stood around under the trees on the bank of the river. The temperature was about 8 C at 8 am in the village, and it wasn't much warmer standing there in the brisk breeze...or really it was windy with choppy waves on the river (it was on the high water side of the dam.)
Max changed into his swimsuit and t-shirt and then sat in the car with Yulia to stay warm. The Pastor decided to wait until 10:30, and when two cars drove in then, we waited an little longer. Then we all headed to the riverbank.
Pastor Wiens, who is Canadian, spoke about the meaning of baptism, standing between our Maxim and Maxim the translator. Max was the only one being baptised since one lady had planned to but had pulled out the night before because she had a bad cold.
Maxim went down the steps first and then helped the pastor down into the water, he slipped on the slick steps and they nearly both went under, but they kept their heads above water.
When they got in position the pastor asked Maxim the questions, and then he listened to the translation from the bank and answered. Afterwards they were all smiles as they worked their way back up the stairs.
Afterwards Vonya (he did music at Garry's VBS in the village) grabbed a guitar and we sang a praise song. In spite of the sun shining you could see Max was shivering in the brisk breeze...er.. wind) Then we were invited back to the church for food, singing and communion. Maxim recieved many hugs and handshakes before he changed by the car, back into his dry clothes.
After we filled up with plates of potatoes with a little meat, and stew-like gravy on it, with a side of coleslaw and bread, we had tea and cookies and candies. One of the ladies who helped teach at VBS was in the kitchen and was excited to see Garry. Then the pastor asked the church members to speak and share Bible verses to encourage Maxim. After wards we had communion, in a way I never had done it before you dipped your piece of bread in the bowl of grape juice. We sang some praise songs and then the program was over.
Then some of the tables were put away so some of the guys could play ping-pong (table tennis.) I am pretty sure that Garry lost this game to Maxim, but it was after two and we had to return to the farm so the guys could feed the cows.
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