Baptism In The Pacific

I came upon a baptism on a rainy ocean day. The Christians were gathered under golf umbrellas on the soggy beach; the pastor wore a wetsuit. The Pacific was strangely peaceful, and a single man entered it. In the gray land of rains from heaven and sands spread from unknown depths, the pastor spoke words into his ear. He crossed his arms over his chest and submerged. The Christians watched on, and I from the cliff above, as he came up disoriented, and the pastor heaved to keep him from stumbling back down into the sea. A rain-bedraggled cheering rose.