"I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea" - 2 Nephi 29:7

Last Saturday night we flew to Ibiza, arriving at 10:00 p.m. A member met us at the airport and whisked us away to spa in the city of Ibiza where we were able to attend the baptism of a new convert.

Arlene at her baptism

With no chapel and no font, the baptism (the third in the past few weeks) was held at a local spa. They allow us use of the facility after 10:00 p.m. and charge only 5 euros for each person who enters the water! It was a wonderful service. Arlene encountered the missionaries about three weeks ago and has made great changes in her life to become a Latter-day Saint. She was baptized by Hno. Julio, who was baptized as a child but was never active in the Church until about three weeks ago. He was ordained a Priest last Sunday so he could perform the ordinance on Saturday night.

It would be almost impossible to recount her the string of miracles that have happened since Elder Allphin and Elder Roco flew to Ibiza 8 weeks ago. This was our first visit since their arrival, and they were anxious for us to meet the members and investigators.

Three months ago we had a little group of ten people meeting in a member's apartment on Sunday mornings. For our visit on Sunday, the elders set up 40 chairs in their apartment (it was a tight fit!) in deference to one of the great miracle stories of the beginnings of the Church in Barcelona.

A few of the 40 chairs in the Elders' apartment

The miracle is that a total of 48 people were in Sacrament meeting! Eleven of them were investigators and 33 members on the island (plus the two missionaries and Pte. and Hna. Hinckley). That is bigger attendance than several branches in the country that have been in existence for years.

Sunday after church

Most of those in attendance are members who have been less active for many years, mostly because they had no way of finding any other members on the island (no branch, no chapel). In case after case, they have found the missionaries in miraculous ways and are excited to now have a place to attend church and again partake of the sacrament.

Last week the elders on Ibiza taught 20 lessons with a member present (a record in the mission) and are so busy they are struggling to keep up with everything. We hope to be able to send some reinforcements in the next few weeks! The Lord truly does "remember those who are upon the isles of the sea."