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April 09 / yr. 3
in Honduras Janet Alcántara
“Let us give thanks to…God…because…he gave us new life by raising --1 Peter 1:3 Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope.”
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Ethics workshop. Ever since I found that some of the ICLH leaders thought that Lutheran freedom meant doing whatever you please, I hoped to do a workshop on Christian ethics (Christian life). Despite my eagerness, the workshop never material-
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ized. However, this month the staff spent a day working the topic of misuse of power, communications, money and sexuality, finishing with a Service of Forgiveness and Affirmation of Baptism (above). I realized that God’s timing was right. People not ready before now participated eagerly, digging hungrily into the Bible texts and discussing avidly.
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“Christ is risen! He has conquered death!” shout worshippers from Camino de Emaús (Road to Emmaus Lutheran Church) as they wave white banners and process on Resurrection Sunday from the top of the block to their little church at the bottom. This was their first-ever early morning Easter service (cum breakfast). The majority of ICLH congregations haven’t celebrated Easter. “Why bother? Most people are travelling or on vacation.” In the Pastors’ Group we encouraged leaders to try Holy Week and Easter services--with some great results.
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In faith and service in Christ,
--janet
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Janet Alcántara, Iglesia Cristiana Luterana de Honduras, Apdo. 2861. Tegucigala, Honduras, C.A.
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Holy Week in Tegucigalpa
By Wednesday of Holy week, Tegus’ frenetic traffic disappeared: a portion of the population left for home villages or the coast. The rest--since most businesses were closed--stayed home, trying to stay cool.
On Good Friday, I happened upon my vicinity’s (Catholic) 3-hour Via Crucis (see below), a beautiful and unanticipated blessing. We visited stations set up by neighbours (above). I have participated before in reflections at Stations of the Cross, but in a sanctuary--or outside in chill, gray weather appropriate to the mood. Here, parading under a searing sun, I had new sympathy for the suffering, thirsty Christ: Jerusalem’s dust and intense morning heat would have multiplied his agonies...
Two men carried the “portable sound system” -- a metal bookcase with two loudspeakers hooked up to a car battery. Ingenious and functional!
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