Seven wonderful baptisms!

What a wonderful time of great blessings from the Lord. We have just had seven baptisms in our mission, three of them in Vladivostok, one in Nakhodka, one in Artyom (new area), one in Ulan-Ude, and one in Irkutsk! We are grateful to our hard-working missionaries (there is no short cut for hard work) who have risen to the challenge. A number of baptisms are planned in the upcoming weeks as well. We are also grateful to the Lord for His inspiration and guidance that has brought about these baptisms in our mission.

NAKHODKA

Sisters Aytalieva and Christensen with new convert. Sister Maksimova (now in Irkutsk) helped find and teach her. She was baptized by the Branch President.

Elders Hardy, Vandygriff, Whitmore, Sister Aytalieva, new convert, Sister Christensen, Elder Bell

ARTYOM

There is one person missing in this photo...Elder Hutchings...who has already returned home from his mission. He found this new convert before leaving. Elder Breeze, "Brat" Kiriev (a short term missionary who was recently baptized), and Elder Malmsten taught this very special young lady. She is the first baptism since the Artyom Branch was re-opened in March. There are three more scheduled.

ULAN-UDE

This sweet lady was baptized by her son who is a member of the church. Elders Ibragimov and Herbert taught her the gospel. Also pictured are her daughter and mother.

IRKUTSK

Sister Hesley has since been transferred to Vladivostok, but she found this lady along with Sister Braithwaite (far right) on the bus. They struck up a conversation, and this woman recognized the truth of what the sisters were sharing. She has brought a number of her friends to church. This woman's baptism has infused a lot of energy into the work in Irkutsk. Also pictured: Sister Maksimova, Elder Christensen who performed the baptism, and Sister Nygard.

VLADIVOSTOK

Four baptisms took place here (including the one from Artyom). Two were converts taught by the sister missionaries, Sister Hesley and Sister Gates. 

This man was taught by Elders Owens and Adams, President Brinton's current Assistants. Elder Ward, currently serving in Sakhalin, also taught him.

Just received this photo of new convert with Sisters Gates and Hesley. Elder Collinsworth performed the baptism. 

Sisters Gates and Hesley taught this young lady along with Sister Dorshieva, currently in Ussuriysk. Her mother was baptized several weeks ago. Also pictured: Elder Owens who performed the baptism.

Here are the four who were baptized in the Vladivostok baptismal font on Saturday. What a sacred occasion for all who attended the baptism. Many friends of these converts were there. What a great opportunity lies ahead to share the gospel with their family and friends.

This photo was taken just ahead of the start of the baptism. What an impressive sight to see so many dressed in white!