Semana Santa (Holy Week)

This week has been Semana Santa (Holy Week ). Holy week started last Sunday (Palm Sunday) and ends tomorrow (Easter morning). This is a week where many in the world well celebrate the death of Jesus Christ.

In Latin American, Semana Santa is very important. The Roman Catholic influence in Latin America has impacted the people for centuries. During the season of lent many Catholic churches have a parades on Friday afternoons displaying the stages of the cross. During Semana Santa the reenact many stages of the cross too. There have been religious movies on TV this entire week ( The Ten Commandments, the Jesus film, other classic catholic films, etc.)

Semana Santa has become one of the only times of the year where the people get multiple days of work and are able to travel. Here in Costa Rica, the jobs tied to the government (schools, post offices, etc.) have been closed down all week. Thursday and Friday were obligatory holidays for private companies as well. There was a dry law from this Thursday to Saturday. Everything has slowed down and has almost come a complete halt.

In San Fransisco de Dos Rios, it is quiet an eerie feeling. I don't hear my six o'clock alarm, which is a car engine revving up street. When I went for a walk yesterday I commented to my host mom how peaceful it is. Everything is closed and everyone is either at home with family or at the beach.

This probably is hard to imagine because this rarely happens in the United States. It may even sound ideal for many of us to have a time of relaxation and a forced pause from the hustle and of our day to day living. Unfortunately, this week that is meant to remember Christ's life, death, and resurrection has become the easiest time of the year for everyone to leave their homes, go to the beach, and party for a few days or a whole week. I have been told that Easter Sunday is the lest attended church service here in Costa Rica.

Please pray for opportunities to share the truth of the Gospel. Also pray for the churches and missionaries that as they continue to share the TRUTH of the Gospel in their communities.

Praise God, that he sent his only son,Jesus, to come to this world. Jesus Christ humbled himself beyond belief just to become a man, and went so far as to die for me and for you. Praise God that Jesus' death was not the end of the story, but that He beat death and evil and rose again and lives now and that we now have a way to come into His presence.