DAY OF REST...

Today is Sunday, for Christians, the Sabbath.   For most everyone, it is a day of rest.   It is a cool morning, and I walk down the hill to town.   The little storefront Presbyterian church, Nueva Vida, was founded by Pastor Pablo.  It is near Parque Central, where I walked yesterday.  Thankfully, I find my way down the narrow streets that all look alike.  It is packed today.  A good sign.  There are singles, some students studying in Ocosingo.   There are children and families.  There are at least 2 moms nursing their babies during worship.  Children crawl under the benches.  And, of course there are us older folk.   Everyone is proper and respectful.  But it is certainly casual.  Trucks and motorbikes roar down the hill not 6 feet from the open door.  No one even blinks and Pablo keeps talking.  He was asked to speak today, sort of a class rather than a sermon, on the history of Christianity, how it developed, time wise, and how the early church worshipped.   With my so so Spanish, I missed a few details, but it was very interesting. 

For those of you Protestants, you will be familiar with "How Great Thou Art" and "Trust and Obey".  They are very traditional here.  Maybe a guitar now and then.  But certainly no clapping or contemporary music.   I miss my stirring Praise music.   We did have a hymn time before worship.  The music director (Daniel, one of the clinic guardians), had us rehearse a new hymn over and over til we got it right.  He uses a keyboard.  He implored us to try to sing together, rather than some slow, some fast, some loud, some soft.   In breaking away from the Catholics long ago, the Protestants use few symbols, no crosses, no nativities.  Unlike our Catholic religion at home, Catholicism here is steeped in rituals, animal worship and sacrifice, actual voodoo ceremonies.  It is not considered here as a Christian religion.   People ask if you are Catholic or Christian.  

Pablo along with many other rural pastors will be honored next week for Pastor appreciation day.  Pablo pastors 2 full churches, so he will be honored twice!   They also celebrate "First Fruits", in October.  It's a time to celebrate the harvest, and the blessings you've been given.  

There was something going on here up front.  I took a chance with my I pad!  Usually the doors are closed and visitors are not welcome to the ceremonies.

These crosses, too, are not Christian symbols.  They represent communities and are a throwback to Mayan tradition.

So, wherever you are, in the world, in your faith journey, may you be a light.  May you worship the one and only Lord, and and then may you shine for others!

Love,

Carolyn