Celebrating Easter!

This was my best Honduran Easter so far!

In Honduras we take Holy Week very seriously. Most people got off work a week ago on Friday and won't go back until Tuesday in honor of Holy Week. Over time, this vacation week has turned into a time to travel. More alcohol is consumed here during Holy week than the rest of the year put together. Beaches are packed. Only a small percentage of people really remember why they are on vacation in the first place. If they do remember that it's Holy Week, they focus on being sad. Very sad. It feels like Christ never rose here.

A couple of weeks ago I went to lunch with Pastora Ruth and Pastor Paysen. I told them that I think Honduras does most holidays better than the US. But it seems like Honduras totally forgets about the resurrection!

I explained how in the US we talk about the pain of the crucifiction and we honor it. But on Easter Sunday we celebrate! We dress up, we sing and we are happy! I told them I wished that we could celebrate Resurrection Sunday in Honduras.

It really wasn't up to them as neither of them were on the schedule to preach today. However, I got my wish! We sang and danced during worship time! The message was about how infinite God's love is for us, that Jesus died for us. We talked a lot about love. And we also talked about the joy of the resurrection - that Jesus lives!!!

Finally! An Easter in Honduras that felt like Easter!!

Yesterday after I wrote my blog entry, I spent some time with God. I'm the only one around, so I prayed out loud and put each of the situations that were weighing on me into God's hands. I put Carlos into God's hands, and Ana's surgery and her family. I let go of all of the stuff that felt so overwhelming. Each time that something else snuck into my thoughts I turned that over too.

Afterward I made a huge batch of fried rice with tons of veggies, ate a healthy dinner and rested.

Jired asked if he could go to church with me this week. After checking with Ana, I told him sure. They are always welcome at my church. Afterward we went out to lunch and then to the park. Everyone had a good time. They seem more relaxed today than they did on Friday. Tomorrow is the surgery. Ana expects to be released on Tuesday.

Samuel & Isabela

Samuel giving all of the girls a push. He's getting so big!

Samuel, David and Isa