We had been anticipating the trip to Lugansk region to be a part of the baptism at Oleg Larkov's church. Read more to learn how they baptize and several of the customs associated with a baptism.
Joel spoke in the service, bringing greetings from the seminary and also bringing a charge to those that were to be baptized.
Close to where their church meets was a beautiful lake and part-way through the service everyone was dismissed to walk to the baptismal sight.
Oleg went out into the water and his chief deacon brought each baptismal candidate out to him and stayed to assist in the baptism. This first young man was a great encouragement to us.
After the baptismal service at the lake each person baptized was presented with a bible and the traditional Ukrainian method of honoring people... flowers.
After church everyone enjoyed fellowship and sandwiches, Ukrainian style.
During the fellowship time several people wanted to have their picture taken with us. One of them (the far left) was a grandmother who repented at the end of the service (in America we would say she made a profession of faith). It was a wonderful ending to a beautiful service.
Joel's favorite meal that weekend was the night before in Oleg's back yard when he made his famous shashleek. (marinated meat cooked on skewers over a special fire.) In the foreground you can see the wood just starting to burn. Oleg didn't put the shashleek on until the wood had burned completely down to coals.
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