Sometimes in accepting Christ, one must overcome some cultural barriers. It really doesn't matter what country you live in; the culture puts pressures on all of us in ways we don't always recognize.
In Mozambique, the culture generally does not accept that ladies who are pregant can or should be batized. It is one of those things that no one can really explain well but something everyone pretty well accepts as fact in the culture.
This past Easter Sunday, we had two of our relatively new church planter/pastors doing a baptism service near Mocuba, Mozambique. Our church multiplication supervisor (Juka) sent me these photos quite excited that two of these ladies were baptized even though they were very pregnant. There was much rumbling through the crowd, and yet they had accepted Christ, they had professed with their moutn, they had been discipled, and they were ready to follow the Lord's command in obedience. With much singing, celebration, and worship, they were baptized to the glory of God.
The following night, one of the ladies had the little baby boy and both the mom and the baby are doing very well. The culture was waiting for disaster, and God provided a great blessing. Maybe they should name him John (the Baptist)?;-)
We praise God for this great blessing and we pray for this new mom and her child, that His hand would be upon them for His name's sake - for the culture is always watching.
So, what are some of the cultural barriers that we face in following Christ? I think they are subtle and they are often difficult. Peer pressure, what people think, the impact on status, employment, and in some countries your very life....all can be barriers. Ultimately, we either believe and profess, or we don't. Where do you stand in the face of your culture?
[PS - speaking of water - once again Afrodrill says "next week" - nothing new to report on the well drilling in Mocuba! Keep praying!] TIA.
Blessings!
"See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Acts 8:36
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." Matthew 28:19
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