"A NEW CREATURE" IN CHRIST 22 May 2016

BAPTISM OF JOHN NDABA

I never tire of being part of a baptism.  In Swaziland we saw them almost weekly and were able to see the "new creature" in Christ that they became.  We were privileged to witness the "mighty change of heart" that happened when they decided to enter the "gateway into His Kingdom".  As I ponder on the baptisms we were part of, I think of the people they were before and the people they have become. They have a renewed countenance: our Savior's countenance. "And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God?  Have ye received his image in your countenances?  Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?" (Alma 5:14) Life forever changed on the day they were baptized.  "A new creature" was created.  A creature that had "no more disposition to do evil but to do good continually." (Mosiah 5:5) A creature whose minds and hearts were centered on the Savior's atoning sacrifice.  A creature that because of the mighty change of heart where able to turn from the temptations that surrounded them and from that time forward were able to put their "heart, might, mind and strength" into this new kingdom of God that they joined.  They were truly inspirational to me.

Baptism "granted me a new heart.  In an instant, I became a better man.  And every impulse of unkindness, every temptation to do wrong, evaporated like morning mist.  From that day on I could not bear the thought of doing or thinking anything that would disappoint my Savior.  This was not a gift that lasted an hour or a day, but one that has stayed with me all my life.  I have tasted the sweetness that comes from faith, hope and charity.  And, knowing the truth, knowing the difference between the fruit of good and evil, I turned my heart, might and mind towards Him who had saved me from my sins.  I became...holy."  (The Book of Malchus) 

Sunday, 22 May 2016 we witnessed the baptism of John Ndaba. We first met him on the day that we interviewed Mary Letsebe Ndaba in her home and became instant friends.  They had been married in January 2016 and Mary was sharing her testimony with him.  The day of our meeting, the missionaries came to see him after our visit.  We discussed his baptism and we were invited.  They called us to remind us.  What a joy it was to be part of this amazing man's baptism.  After, he bore a strong testimony.  As Mary says, one day he will be a bishop and I agree with her. John has become a "new creature" in Christ.

After they invited us over for the celebration at their home.  Her daughter, Desire, and her husband, Wonderboy Phakathi, and two children, Manqoba and Njabulo, and Mary's son, Thabang, and a couple of friends, gathered for a wonderful afternoon and evening of eating, telling of stories and pure enjoyment. Eish, I had such a great time.  Didn't want the evening to end.

Our first meeting of John

Sunday, 22 May 2016 - the day John entered the Kingdom of God

Family and missionaries

Elder West, Desire, John, Mary, Elder Todd, Manqoba, Njabulo, Wonderboy, Thabang

Celebration at the home

Desire, friend, Mary

We gave John a tie with CTR embroidered on it.  Mary told us later that John wore his tie when he was confirmed the following week.

I found a beautiful new friend..

Njabulo

THE PEOPLE THEY WERE AND THE PEOPLE THEY HAVE BECOME

Just a few of the people we knew from Swaziland that have had a "mighty change of heart"

New creatures that had "no more disposition to do evil but to do good continually." A creature whose minds and hearts were centered on the Savior's atoning sacrifice.  A creature that because of the mighty change of heart where able to turn from the temptations that surrounded them and from that time forward were able to put their "heart, might, mind and strength" into this new kingdom of God that they joined.

Bheki Hlope and Tem Zunga

 Simon Sebulia - plans on serving a mission when he finishes with his studies

 Patricia Mbsiya - later became Relief Society President

Sifiso, Nhlanhla, Marcose, Sipho

 Derrick Fakudze and his wife and child - He is now Branch President of the Nhlangano Branch

 Lungile, is power in her branch with the YSA, Elder Norbert, Mbongseni, Sifiso, Elder Kiwume

 Masisi and Nathi (her husband that baptized her)...she is power and is now in the district Primary presidency.

 Zama, Ruth, Hlopile, Simphiwe (Maxwell's Sister).  Ruth was Relief Society President when she was tragically killed in a kombi accident.

 The joy of these two.....

 Gcina Hlatswayo, ?, Xolile Hlatswayo and President Ntshalintshali - Gcina is now in the branch presidency and Xolile is Relief Society President in Mbabane

 Maxwell, Mbongiseni and Zweli - Mbongiseni and Zweli returned from their missions in November 2015.  Zweli is now a counselor in the branch presidency.

OUR BAPTISM IS SUCH A POWERFUL ORDINANCE THAT THE MEMORY AND FEELINGS OF THAT OCCASION SHOULD HAVE AN ENDURING INFLUENCE THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES. 

People waiting to be baptized in West Africa

"And now, behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing this song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" Alma 5:26