Cultural Differences

Caña Fístula - Cassia - a shower of gold

The last time we were here during Holy Week was probably about seven years ago while there was still no organized church. During that time, we did an event, but we usually left on Saturday because I went back to school on Monday; therefore, we had not seen the differences before now.  I mentioned on my last blog that we noticed a different atmosphere here for Easter. It is more of a time for vacations, family gatherings, beach, than going to church. As opposed to the States, where people who never go to church show up for Easter Sunday, here people attend church even less. All of this to say that we were very surprised Easter Sunday to find out that the service at the big church was cancelled! We just could not believe it. It turned out that the pastor had an outreach event in another town Saturday night until 12:30 am, and they were all too tired for church Sunday morning. I was very upset about it  and so was Luis Carlos, who was planning to attend church with us (Luis Carlos is from Colombia, so his cultural background is different). The way we found out was also incredible, but I will not go into it because I have to let it go as another lesson in cultural difference.

The couple below are new believers from our town, Eduardo and Arelys. During our last trip they dedicated the baby in church, but now they have moved back to her town because she needs her mother to take care of the baby while she is at work. The baby is now nine months old. They are living with her mother and Eduardo is not happy about the arrangement; especially because they have their own little house here. So, we made a special trip to where they live with Gardy and Paola as our "guides," since there are no addresses in this country. They are attending church, but he says he misses our pastor. Pray for this situation.

Eduardo, Arelys and Evan

Pray for Gardy, Paola and Nazaret. Gardy is going to school at night to get his high school diploma. He also started on a business venture with a truck, but we get the feeling that business is not great, and Paola can be difficult instead of supportive.

Gardy, Paola and Nazaret

All of us at a restaurant

Same thing, with me in the picture

Since there was no church to attend on Easter Sunday, we took Luis Carlos, Irene and the boys to the old "surfer restaurant." They have a little jungle gym, and the boys had a great time playing with two American boys who happened to be there also. Both Luis Carlos and Irene are working full-time and going to school full-time. Their youngest boy, Hernán, has developed Vitiligo, which is the lost of skin pigmentation (remember Michael Jackson?). Please pray for a miracle that it will go away. Pray for a hedge of protection around this family, since they will take now a higher profile as Christian leaders in town.

John and Sergio had a good meeting this week. They went to a breakfast and lunch restaurant not far from here owned by an American who is a Christian form Calvary Chapel. There is a Calvary Chapel in that town, not far from here, but only if you own a car. Anyway, Sergio opened up to John for the first time about the problems that he and Bianka have. They really need counseling. Things are not really that bad to cause a divorce. He does not want a divorce, but somethings need to change in both of them. We will try a meeting with all four of us. Pray!

We will start meeting at the new venue this Sunday. We are also starting the couples' Bible study over again after the Easter break. Carlos and Rosario, our friends from the capital will be with us this weekend.

Prayer requests:

• Pray for the couples' Bible study 
• For the new venue for our Sunday mornings meetings here
• For Sergio and Bianka, healing and forgiveness
• Eduardo and Arelys
• Gardy and Paola
• Wisdom for Pastor Alejandro and his wife, Alba
• Pray for Luis Carlos, Irene and their children
• Wisdom for us: here we are doing marriage counseling, church planting, pastoral counseling, etc. It is overwhelming! Only the Lord can do this.

Thank you so much for your prayers!!

Until next time...from the beach...