Our first baptism on my mission was very memorable. His name was Eusabio and he was a young adult nephew of our bishop who was living with the bishop at the time. His baptism was set to happen in conjunction with the ward picnic/outing in the mountains to celebrate 'Carnival.' So my companion and I rode up the mountainside in the back of a rented dump truck along with lots of other members of the ward. We arrived and the ward started to set up camp. Some of the women were selling popcorn and jello and the men started playing soccer instead of tending to the barbeque they were in charge of. So the women stepped in.
Due to some miscommunication, the bishop didn't have his white clothes to perform the baptism. This felt like a major oversight, but luckily the Bolivians are problem solvers, so he came up with a plan. He would baptize Eusabio in "doble garment," in other words, he would double up his garments for the baptism. I was pretty sure non-white clothes would be preferable to underwear, but no one believed me, and frankly, now I am doubting myself.
At any rate, the bishop changed, wrapped a towel around his waist and as he slowly entered the water, he gradually lifted the towel, so that he could be covered until he was submerged. He used a similar method to exit.
Despite the wardrobe troubles, the waterfighting, and the popcorn sales, the spirit was certainly there at Eusabio's baptism and I'm so glad I was there to witness it. I can never forget it.
