Celebrating Easter in Costa Rica

As Margie's return to Valparaiso draws near, she is adding more and more special events and gatherings with both old and new friends.  I'm going to give you some of her words from her joyous account of Holy Week in Costa Rica.  

I attended a loving, lively, and full-of-joy celebration worship service this a.m. at the El Redentor (The Redeemer) Methodist Church in the center of downtown San Jose, Costa Rica.  The service was preceded by a tasty, typical Costa Rican breakfast--light sandwich, tortilla and cheese, sweet cake, fresh pineapple, melon, and papaya, fruit juice, and the ever-present, delicious Costa Rican coffee with sugar.  A fellow volunteer here at UBL and a good friend of mine also went with me.  We can easily ride the city bus to downtown.

The pastor mentioned that all over the world literally millions of brothers and sisters in Christ were worshiping this very day and repeating "Christ has Risen" in all the many ways that that message is shared.  This pastor concentrated on this idea: the risen Christ needs to be personally accepted and then proclaimed in our own lives.  I was hoping he would have said more about that Jesus of LOVE and JUSTICE that I know needing to be making a difference in our WORLD--making our WORLD a better place and not just our own personal lives!  Ah...well... That is the resurrected Jesus I am wanting to proclaim!  And you??

Margie goes on then to explain the custom of Holy Week is a time to enjoy family and to celebrate the risen Christ.   Schools close and many businesses are closed from Thursday on.  It is almost like the country goes on vacation.  Margie writes: 

for those who have the means to "get away" to the beaches of the Caribbean or the Pacific, or the countrysides, or the hometown "pueblos" to spend time with family and friends in rest and enjoyment.  I have been so blessed as well during this past week--spending it with friends who have generously included me in their plans,.  God is good...All the time.

Margie will be spending part of her time in the next few weeks in the homes and saying farewell in anticipation of her return to her family here in Indiana and the US.   We'll try to get an update on these events to share.