"What a strange Easter weekend we have this year," our neighbor said. "But then, that first Easter weekend was very strange, too."
Thousands of years ago, something far worse than COVID tried to prevent the 1st Easter. Satan's impact put a man named Jesus, who claimed to be God, dead in a grave. This man had many followers, was known as a great prophet, and was baptized by his friend John the Baptist before a voice from the heavens declared, "This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased." Jesus of Nazareth preached to tens of thousands of people about the Kingdom of God, performed countless miracles, loved with a depth that far surpassed that of which humans could show, died mocked and beaten, 'King of the Jews,' while silent in defense. Satan might have known the eternal impact Christ’s defeat of death would have on the world. Yet, on Good Friday (as we know it today), it looked as though evil had won the battle as Jesus’ family, friends, and disciples left the cross and His body behind.
Thanks be to God, nothing could stop that resurrection Easter Sunday. Your Easter maybe seems different this year, but we still celebrate the same Jesus they celebrated long ago. The resurrected Jesus was seen by thousands of people, His scars were touched, and His ascension to the Heavenly throne witnessed. Many people wrote about this so we would know about Him, and His story, more thoroughly. We have a Savior! Because of Him, we have strength for today and hope for tomorrow. He is risen! He is risen, indeed.
In these strange times, we want to remind you that we, as many of you, have eternal hope. We remain in Honduras with great peace, transcending our understanding, knowing God has called His followers to participate in the Great Commission; we are to go and tell others about the empty tomb.
Medically, Honduras is experiencing more COVID cases daily, yet we have seen no COVID at Hospital Loma de Luz. There have been deaths at the hospital. Patients with advanced cancer and beloved infants didn't make it to see this Easter weekend. Yet in the middle of it all, we have that Hope. A Savior. A Creator who cared. Who sacrificed Himself to be with us, to atone for our sin. The terrible effects of 'distancing' ourselves from God have taken place for thousands of years, including when we tortured Christ and put Him to die on a cross. AND YET, because He lives, death is defeated, and the tomb of a dead man was and IS empty. If that is true, why wouldn't we devote our lives to Him? In worship, in testimony, in life and death, our lives are now His.
This very day, Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is why we are here. It is why we do what we do, say what we say, and live the way we do (although we don't live perfectly, as only He could). What does the Resurrection mean? It means Christ is risen, the Savior was who said He was, and our lives should never be the same. It means we will one day be with Him in body, face to face. Since we live for Him and give our life to Him,we have great joy knowing we will meet Him one day. Nothing can separate us from His love.
Personal updates:
-We have access to grocery stores in the city (on certain days which correspond with a passport/residency card). The government often changes the days and guidelines, but we have gone 2 times in the past few weeks! Thank you for praying for us. Most people don't have access still. Please take a moment to pray for Honduras in this respect.
-Kristen serves as a tutor to the teens at the children's home every Monday. She is taking them through a curriculum of "life planning." She also volunteers at The Balfate health department on Monday.
-Anthony is learning basic anesthesia care, including deep conscious sedation and spinal anesthesia. He has helped provide anesthesia for several C-sections in recent weeks.
-Emma will be turning 2 years old next Sunday, April 19th. We are planning to have a party with our neighbors and a water balloon fight later! You can celebrate with us from afar.
We love you! Happy Easter. He is risen!
Thousands of years ago, something far worse than COVID tried to prevent the 1st Easter. Satan's impact put a man named Jesus, who claimed to be God, dead in a grave. This man had many followers, was known as a great prophet, and was baptized by his friend John the Baptist before a voice from the heavens declared, "This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased." Jesus of Nazareth preached to tens of thousands of people about the Kingdom of God, performed countless miracles, loved with a depth that far surpassed that of which humans could show, died mocked and beaten, 'King of the Jews,' while silent in defense. Satan might have known the eternal impact Christ’s defeat of death would have on the world. Yet, on Good Friday (as we know it today), it looked as though evil had won the battle as Jesus’ family, friends, and disciples left the cross and His body behind.
Thanks be to God, nothing could stop that resurrection Easter Sunday. Your Easter maybe seems different this year, but we still celebrate the same Jesus they celebrated long ago. The resurrected Jesus was seen by thousands of people, His scars were touched, and His ascension to the Heavenly throne witnessed. Many people wrote about this so we would know about Him, and His story, more thoroughly. We have a Savior! Because of Him, we have strength for today and hope for tomorrow. He is risen! He is risen, indeed.
In these strange times, we want to remind you that we, as many of you, have eternal hope. We remain in Honduras with great peace, transcending our understanding, knowing God has called His followers to participate in the Great Commission; we are to go and tell others about the empty tomb.
Medically, Honduras is experiencing more COVID cases daily, yet we have seen no COVID at Hospital Loma de Luz. There have been deaths at the hospital. Patients with advanced cancer and beloved infants didn't make it to see this Easter weekend. Yet in the middle of it all, we have that Hope. A Savior. A Creator who cared. Who sacrificed Himself to be with us, to atone for our sin. The terrible effects of 'distancing' ourselves from God have taken place for thousands of years, including when we tortured Christ and put Him to die on a cross. AND YET, because He lives, death is defeated, and the tomb of a dead man was and IS empty. If that is true, why wouldn't we devote our lives to Him? In worship, in testimony, in life and death, our lives are now His.
This very day, Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is why we are here. It is why we do what we do, say what we say, and live the way we do (although we don't live perfectly, as only He could). What does the Resurrection mean? It means Christ is risen, the Savior was who said He was, and our lives should never be the same. It means we will one day be with Him in body, face to face. Since we live for Him and give our life to Him,we have great joy knowing we will meet Him one day. Nothing can separate us from His love.Personal updates:
-We have access to grocery stores in the city (on certain days which correspond with a passport/residency card). The government often changes the days and guidelines, but we have gone 2 times in the past few weeks! Thank you for praying for us. Most people don't have access still. Please take a moment to pray for Honduras in this respect.
-Kristen serves as a tutor to the teens at the children's home every Monday. She is taking them through a curriculum of "life planning." She also volunteers at The Balfate health department on Monday.
-Anthony is learning basic anesthesia care, including deep conscious sedation and spinal anesthesia. He has helped provide anesthesia for several C-sections in recent weeks.
-Emma will be turning 2 years old next Sunday, April 19th. We are planning to have a party with our neighbors and a water balloon fight later! You can celebrate with us from afar.
We love you! Happy Easter. He is risen!
Yay! Love these updates!! Happy Easter friends!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Easter update! Warms my heart that you're learning anesthesia.
ReplyDeleteDavid