Another video...

Here is another video from the first procession we saw this morning.  The morning's procession was of Jesus carrying the cross, followed by the Virgen de Dolores (Mary) weeping at his death.  Then, this afternoon, starting at about 3:00, new alfombras were set up in the park.  These were all black and tan with pictures in the center depicting various stages on the path to the crucifixion.  Then a number of processions came through the park, depicting the stations of the cross and Jesus in his tomb followed (again) by the weeping virgin, this time clothed in black.  Most of these went through the park after dark, and people in the procession lined the streets holding candles as the processions moved through.

I found it helpful to watch the sequence of events today, to be reminded of what this holiday is about...and am excited about Easter Sunday (though the celebration here is very different than in the U.S.--the Catholics tend to emphasize Good Friday here, and the evangelical churches don't quite make it the massive celebration it typically is at home).  There will be one more procession that day, depicting the resurrected Jesus, and there will be the opportunity to hear the story read aloud in church.  Then we'll be back to life as normal and focusing on finishing out the rest of the year.

Video

Here is video of a procession from this morning.

A few more photos...

Sights and Sounds of Guatemala...

Semana Santa (or Holy Week) in Guatemala includes alfombras (carpets made of colored sawdust, grasses, and flowers) and processions in which the images of Jesus and Mary are brought out of the Catholic churches and paraded through the streets.  Many of the evangelicals here avoid the processions, but as a foreigner, I joined "my people" (the tourists) and took some pictures to share.  I also have some video, but I am in the process of figuring out how to go about adding video to a blog.

Enjoy.

These are the signs posted along the streets announcing that no parking will be allowed for the processions.

And here are some of the alfombras. We got up early to see some of them being made.

And my favorite, for how artistic it was:

Tuesday thoughts...

I realized this morning I have been having the same song going through my head every morning when I head to the bus stop.  I don't think about it in the morning or at night before I go to bed, and yet, every morning, as soon as I step out the door, it's there:

Oh, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back like a scroll,
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul...

And quite honestly, there were several days when this happened when I wasn't actively feeling this way at all.

Life has been complicated, but in the end, God is good. 

It has been good to be able to step back and see the thread running through some of the past...see that good can come from things that didn't seem so very good at the time...

Those moments of clarity are so very precious.  Sometimes I wish they would come more often.  Then I am thankful I am able to have these times at all.  It puts everything in perspective, for the time being, anyway.

On a side note, I got my first request for a job interview today.  That was a very pleasant surprise, especially since it's from a district I hadn't completely finished applying to yet.  I'm just praying that God will guide the process and I'll end up in the place that's best for me (whatever "best" might mean--I'm learning "best" doesn't always come in the packaging I expect it to be).

I am thankful for the blessings, the greatest of which is the ability to see.

Update...

Life decisions are hard...

I used to think that all grown-ups saw life as following more of a plot...that you just knew what road you were on.  Mine hasn't been that way so far, and I am beginning to see that things may not be changing on that note anytime soon.

But I've also started realizing that other people are in that boat, too.  And have been in the past.  I've been reading through Genesis and starting Exodus, and I have been really struck by how confusing things must have been for the people involved.  Joseph...Moses...people I always imagined totally having their act together.  But from the way that they reacted to the things that happened to them, I get the impression now, it probably was hard for them, too.

I started experimenting with praying instead of worrying over the past few days...so far it has helped a lot, though it still hasn't made life what I would call "easy."  But the load is lighter, and I guess that means a lot.  And it is a healthier way of dealing with my problems. 

My worries have seemed a little heavier the past few weeks...little by little, I am physically feeling better.  Latest word is that I don't have any typhoid anymore, but there is some other kind of lingering infection I need to take medicine for.  My emotions are starting to rally, too, which has been great, though still not back to functioning at 100%.

And I've been filling out job applications and waiting for responses...and then the past few days started wondering if I really wanted to go back to the United States next year after all (the old second-guessing step in the decision-making process...).  I still think I'm going home.  It's the step that makes the most sense right now.  I imagine I'll be second-guessing more, though, before I actually make it home.  Although, it would be nice to have that go differently this time--to learn how to enjoy being here without wanting to cling to it to make it something more.  To enjoy life for what it is right now while being willing to let go, knowing something different and equally good will be coming in the future.

As far as that goes, we had our last Mexico trip a week ago...now I'm good to stay in the country until I fly home in early June.  Holy Week is next week--a whole week off of school.  Quite a few teachers are going traveling, but I think I'll stay home and get together with people.  Take it easy.  Maybe read some books, go to church, maybe go and watch a few processions...

I would appreciate prayers for emotional and physical energy.  While I am feeling much better than I did not too long ago, I am still dragging a little bit in both regards.  I would like to end the year strongly to be able to move forward to what is coming next with energy and excitement.  Major transitions can be hard enough on their own, even when I do feel prepared to face them.

Confusing...

I saw him in a grocery store a few months ago...young, dirty.  First asked me for a quetzal and then broadened the request to include groceries.  I bought them and thought it was done.

Then I ran into him again at a pharmacy...Well, not "ran into" exactly.  I saw him walking by on the street (trying to place where I had seen him before) and he came inside to greet me.  And ask for money...

I wasn't entirely comfortable with that, but he said he needed the money for medicine, and he did have a nasty-sounding cough...

So I gave him the money.  He lingered, alternating between smiling at the people in line (some of whom were giving him dirty looks) and avoiding their eyes. 

He did indeed buy amoxicillan, but then, outside the pharmacy he decided to ask for more money.

He stopped talking whenever other people came into earshot.  Some confusing story about needing money to pay for medicine on the coast, that he owed somebody, begging me to help him pay for it.  Promising to pay me back if I meet him outside a specific place this Saturday.  Then wanting money for a birthday gift for his mother.  I told him I would feel better helping him buy the gift instead of giving money.  He said, standing with his back to one side of a parked car (hiding, I sensed, from the way he was looking anxiously around him) that he couldn't in this neighborhood.  Too many people know him.  He could get mugged.  He was afraid...

So I started to ask him why he was afraid.  "I don't know" was his answer.  Was someone forcing him to do something against his will?  He said no and went back to asking for money.  Begging.  Promising to pay me back.  Telling me he was sick and his sister was a lot worse.   He got down on his knees on the curb to ask me again.

In the end, I gave him the money.  In spite of my better judgment.  It wasn't a lot by American standards, but I know it's a lot for a kid walking alone on the street to be carrying in his pocket. 

And now I am confused, wondering if I did something wrong or even dangerous.  Knowing if I see him again, I will have to say no.  It's not a good idea to be giving money out that way in the Guatemalan streets.  No way of knowing what could be perpetuated or if I'm making myself a more obvious target. 

One thing is for sure--I plan to avoid the place he claimed to meet me so he could pay me back the money.  Just in case there is something else at work.

And frustrated.  Wishing it didn't need to be so complicated.  Wishing I knew the culture better and the best way to respond.  And wishing I didn't stand out so much to bring larger numbers of these kinds of situations to my attention.

The asking gets so complicated.  And receiving help sometimes only makes the problem worse.  Or leads to the person returning to ask for more and more and more...not a long-term solution to the problem.