Resurrection Sunday

Last Sunday in La Loma was really special. The church service started at 7am. There seemed to be as many people as usual. Most of the ladies were dressed in white and the church was decorated with white ribbons and at the front the words "Christ Lives, He has risen" were in gold letters on the wall. It already felt like a celebration of the amazing victory Christ won over death and then the music started. Usually we have about an hour of singing before the sermon. Sunday was no different and what a note of triumph there was in the songs and the response of the people.

Miguel preached on the Emmaus Road journey and most of the congregation responded to his appeal to serve God better in the year ahead. It was very emotional.
A baptism service followed and 8 people were baptised. The whole church gathered around the baptistry and again it was just a fantastic time.
Afterwards we went downstairs for tamales (cornmeal and chilli or chicken or something sweet all wrapped in a corn cob leaf) and atole (a very sweet kind of hot chocolate drink) and then we went home.
In the afternoon we went to the MacKinnons house and joined the rest of the missionaries and the team from N. Ireland for a special Easter dinner. The food was fantastic and we had a special Easter focus where we thought about the fact that God still moves stones. Each person took a piece of the stone and wrote on it something that had happened recently to demonstrate that fact i.e. a problem that had been solved, a prayer that had been answered or a way God had spoken personally. Bit by bit the stone was moved away from the front of the grave to reveal the empty tomb. He is not here, HE IS RISEN!
Of course, the kids had their easter egg hunt and then we all enjoyed a first time treat - Stephen (one of the team members and a chef) had mad us all a gorgeous pavlova (he even brought caster sugar from home to make it!).There was a special surprise for all the missionaries - a present each from the team. Unexpected gifts are just so exciting (guess my love language!). It certainly put a smile on all of our faces. You can just see Tabitha's 'Five little piggies' book towards the right hand side. It has certainly been much appreciated.
What a celebration. Isn't that how Easter should be? What a fantastic message - JESUS IS ALIVE!