He Is Risen.........

Today is Saturday.

Random thoughts I've had...

Weather.

It is HOT. It is MUGGY. It is buggy. :)

(But Easter is coming...pictures to tease you with...story following.)

Then the surrounding life we have...




It has been busy. Alan has had several road trips including one last night in which he transported a sick child and his family from a small back end town into Gracias for a long hospital visit then returned them home afterwards. It wasn't that difficult of a trip even when you take into account the one vehicle he pulled out of the river (so HE could get across) and the other one that he towed back into Gracias along with the 10 passengers or so...it was just late, long, and unexpected. I shouldn't be surprised, that is a rather good motto for our lives lately. :) The child has hepatitis and will need to be monitored but he was released from the hospital.







I have finished packing Pastor's gift boxes so now I'm working on doing data entry for updated info on these pastors and their families. So far we're in the 200s as far as how many boxes were done. I'll have final numbers later in the week. There are some donations that I've sorted and we're storing for next years' project. The Sowers family is handling the leftovers that are at their home still.








Now for some picture explanations...
The kids have been off school this week due to the celebration and vacation schedule for Semana Santa. This is Holy week and it is a big deal here. Yesterday we went into Santa Rosa de Copan to see and watch the 'Alfombras' (carpets). This is an amazing sight to see. We'd heard about them but had yet to see it in person.






These carpets are laid out 8ft wide in a path starting from the Catholic Church downtown. This goes for 15-20 blocks in a 'circle' and winds up back at the church. They bring a statue of Jesus out and walk the stations of the cross through these carpets.





















































It is amazing to see. Not only the care and beauty that people are creating out of sawdust and colors but the community celebrating. The pictures here will not completely do it justice but will give you an idea.

We went with our friends the Wards and another family that is there visiting. It was interesting to stop and visit with the people that had created their section and talk about the tradition involved in their families doing this project together.


As they were walking around with the statue of Jesus and the people following you can't help but be affected. Riley and I were talking at one point about how sad it was. I added that it is sad and horrific but that only adds to the wonder of it. But of course, we have the hope and peace of Sunday's resurrection. You can't fully reap the joy of that Sunday morning without realizing Friday's sacrifice, humiliation, and suffering. The obedience Jesus had to God the Father, the
love God had for us in sending him in the first place, the love that Christ had for us, and the joy set before him.


He endured it.

















And won.

















I would do well to remember that continually.


Happy Easter. He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed...





















With love,

Faith for the Hayes family.