An Early Christmas Gift...

Back in November 2009, (writing that seems so funny to me) Marcos' sister Belinha was baptized! It was truly a miracle in the making! Our friends the Spendlove's were there to capture the event for us. Tina Spendlove was gracious enough to lean out of a second story balcony window so we could have these pics. Mind you, taking these is totally illegal or against mission rules! Since Tina and Loren are the Mission Presidents of the Maputo, Mozambique Mission, she was kind enough to use this to our advantage!

As you may or may not know, Belinha has AIDS. She received this horrible and debilitating disease from an unfaithful husband. Months prior to her baptism we got word of her illness taking a turn for the worst. We had been in contact with the Spendloves who introduced Belinha to Brother and Sister Cox who in turn took her to a clinic and provided her with much love and care. Belinha continued to meet with the missionaries and attend church and read the Book of Mormon. She slowly gained a testimony of the gospel and was so excited to be baptized. We talked with her on multiple occasions and she loved the Gospel with all her heart and knew of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. She was all set to be baptized.

I talked with Tina a few days after her baptism and she explained to me that Belinha's health was remarkable! She even went on to say it was a miracle! The last time Tina had seen her was the first meeting they had back in July or Aug of 09. Belinha, who is about 6 feet tall, was painfully thin, blisters covered her feet making it difficult to walk, and you could see how frail her bones were and how ill she was. Tina actually thought she wouldn't make it to be baptized and that she would continue her Gospel journey once she reached the other side of the veil.

Then, on the day of her baptism, November 21, 2009, Belinha was healed! She had put on weight, her eyes were bright, her blisters were healing, she seemed stronger. All because she accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ and understood that this is his true church and she too could be a part of something true and everlasting. Truly Miraculous!

Some of Marcos' other family members are struggling a little with the Gospel. I wonder if Belinha has a different perspective because of her health condition. Maybe she was more humble and willing to learn.

Maybe her circumstance was the only way she would come to know of the Gospel.

Maybe, we should realize the Lord has a plan.

Maybe, we too can be healed of our infirmities, our misdeeds and sins, our unkind words and thoughts, or our complacency's.

Maybe we should be like Belinha, humble, determined, steadfast, and strong, who walked the distance to church each week with feet covered in painful blisters.

Maybe we too can be stronger, better, and happier with what we are blessed with.

Maybe, we can do a little more for each other.

Here is Belihna with the Bro. and Sis. Cox, Tina Spendlove (in the back), Celeste her sister-in-law, Bernardo her brother and Catarina her niece.

Here is Belinha and a few others who are being baptized as well. Another crazy thing is that it rained ALL day! The baptismal font is outside and we all were hoping the rain wouldn't dampen any spirits or make anyone ill.

Huddled under the canopy and umbrellas waiting to begin the ordinance.

Belinha and the Elder entering the font and being rained on all the while!

Here she is exiting the font a new, and clean woman! Bring on the warm clothes!

Dismissed!