Jose Luis took the plunge this morning. He's joyful and excited about the beginning of his new life, as we are about the beginning of a new congregation in AQP.

The Ethiopian eunuch said, "Here's water, what's stopping me?" The absence of a baptistry here means we operate in pretty much the same way. Finding the water is an issue. Since the large river that runs through the city is . . . unsanitary, it's necessary to drive out to little river of fresh spring water. Some friends directed us to a safe place--some areas outside town can be kind of like that road the Good Samaritan was traveling. Naturally, once we got most of the way there, the road was torn up, making the final stretch impossible to drive. So we asked the locals, and they directed us to the spring itself, down another road. It's near another public space, so it too was safe. Once there, we found a pool just deep enough and decided to go for it, our options being limited otherwise. So, down into the water we went. Afterward we found a shady spot, shared communion, and then headed back into the city. We're so excited to being the church's journey in Arequipa alongside Jose Luis. God be praised for his great mercy.